Are you looking for an opportunity to provide strategic and operational leadership to a leading university in Canada? If the answer is yes, then our Associate Vice President (AVP), Integrated Planning and Effectiveness (IPE), Dorys Crespin-Mueller would like to connect with you about the Director, Integrated Planning and Effectiveness (IPE) opportunity with Thompson Rivers University (TRU) in Kamloops, BC. Dorys can be contacted at dcrespin@tru.ca or on her cell at 250-828-5493.

This challenging role reports to the AVP, IPE and manages the day-to-day activities in institutional research, planning and analytics.

The Director, IPE provides leadership and expertise to the university’s planning, analysis, and institutional research functions. The Director is responsible for overseeing the collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of information and ensures business analytics products are developed and distributed appropriately to support strategic goals and priorities for evidence-based planning, decision-making and monitoring institutional performance.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

The Director, Integrated Planning and Effectiveness manages, directs and ensures the effective day to day operation of the IPE department services for a wide scope of accountability and operational projects. Under the general supervision of the AVP IPE, the incumbent provides leadership and expertise to the university planning, analysis, and assessment functions.

As an operational leader, the Director sees the larger picture of how IPE serves the university decision making. This requires an excellent understanding of most university areas, including business and academic functions. An effective Director has the ability to see what is required to better serve client needs. As well, the Director requires an ability to communicate and form trusting relationships with university and external colleagues. The Director needs to be scanning the environment for information and techniques to improve processes and ensure the information is relevant to audiences.

The Director serves in an advisory and decision support role to the University senior academic and administrative executive and takes on additional responsibilities and duties on behalf of the AVP as needed.

Specific Accountabilities

Manage, direct, and ensure the effective day to day operation of the Integrated Planning and Effectiveness department. Through the selection, orientation, motivation, and development of IPE staff. Provide leadership of IPE and TRU branding and voice in the work of the department. Assists the AVP in the development of budgets and long-range plans for the office and identifying resource requirements to ensure the effectiveness of the office. Develops data quality standards and process and ensure the standards are met. Fosters an environment of collaboration and a culture of ongoing service excellence within IPE. Inspires, motivates, and guides team members by fostering commitment, team spirit and trust. Supports the AVP in policy development and interpretation.

Development of a strategic institutional research program to support the analytical, planning, and assessment functions of the university. Ensure a comprehensive and ongoing program of institutional data collection, analysis, and dissemination in support of management, strategic planning and decision-making at all levels of university operations, particularly those related to enrollment management, student outcomes, external rankings, and institutional effectiveness. Oversee the design and performs complex analytical studies and projects pertinent to aspects of the operation and strategic direction of the University. Manages the collection and organization of data and information for such studies; and ensures these results are shared with relevant stakeholders. Provide standard management information and official statistics for both internal and external reporting. Oversee provincial and federal accountability reporting for TRU including annual Accountability Plans and Reports, Audited Full-Time Equivalent enrolment reports, Central Data Warehouse submissions, Annual Performance Measures, and Statistics Canada data submissions and ensures that timelines are met. Oversee institutional participation in provincial, national, and international research benchmarking initiatives. Collaborates with other divisional leaders including ITS and RO offices and with internal customers to ensure that business intelligence products and related processes and systems are optimized to foster data quality, data integrity, and delivery of effective reporting and data/information solutions. Envisions, coordinates and ensures the development and maintenance of decision-support systems and tools and provides training and assistance in their use. Translate data into usable information for planning, assessment, and other decision-making purposes. Lead and manage contracts with external agencies for specialized planning and research projects.

Foments and advances a culture of integrated planning at TRU. Provide support for the design, development, and implementation of integrated planning processes, and providing support for budget planning and resource allocation. Support institutional and divisional strategic planning initiatives through a variety of methods considering innovation and futureproofing.

Continuously develops skills and knowledge in professional practice. Maintain currency in best practices regarding research in higher education and in the field of Institutional Research & Planning. Represent TRU on provincial, national, and international committees and initiatives. Establishes a high personal standard of service and performance by assuming additional responsibilities and duties as assigned by the AVP. Facilitates, chairs, and participates in assigned teams and committees as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Knowledge/Skills

High degree of expertise with information technology as well as demonstrated competence with data analytics, planning, assessment, performance measurement and research methods. Excellent organization, presentation, written and oral communication and facilitation skills. Demonstrated ability to collaborate with staff, faculty, and administrators at all levels. Plan, develop, organize, and implement short- and long-term projects and strategies within an environment of frequently changing priorities. Demonstrated team building skills and have a client service orientation.

Understanding of current and emergent research and higher education trends

Other relevant skills such as LEAN training and project management are considered an advantage. Possess sound skills in dealing with controversial and sensitive issues, which involve balancing interests of numerous parties with divergent viewpoints. Exercise sound judgement and political acumen.

Education and experience

Master’s degree in a relevant area. Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in research and planning, including a minimum of five (5) years management experience.

Experience working in a post-secondary institution is preferred.