Description

 Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist MassArt in its search for Assistant Vice President for Institutional Research Assessment. 

For full consideration, please apply by March 16, 2026. Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration. However, the position will remain open until filled and applications may be considered after the priority date.

Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) seeks a highly collaborative and analytically sophisticated leader to serve as Assistant Vice President for Institutional Research and Assessment (AVPIRA). This critical role will drive institutional decision-making, continuous improvement, and student success at the nation’s only independent public college of art and design. This is an exceptional opportunity to make a visible, campus-wide impact at a small, mission-driven public institution where creativity, curiosity, and collaboration define the culture, and where data is viewed as a powerful tool for storytelling, innovation, and informed action. Reporting to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the AVPIRA role works in close partnership with senior leadership across the College to translate data into insight and action with measurable impact.

This is a compelling time to join MassArt, as the institution builds on strong momentum following a successful accreditation review cycle, the completion of a refreshed Strategic Partnership Plan, and stable, committed senior leadership in place. MassArt is poised to use data in more intentional, creative, and transparent ways to inform enrollment strategy, academic planning, program development, and resource allocation. In addition to influencing decision-making on campus, the AVPIRA will engage with external partners and professional networks, including membership in the Colleges of the Fenway consortium, ProArts consortium, statewide data collaboratives, and relevant higher education and arts organizations, strengthening MassArt’s connections, benchmarking practices, and influence across the sector. This is a hands-on, campus-based role for a systems thinker and trusted advisor who can build effective data practices, communicate findings clearly to diverse audiences, and help foster a shared culture of evidence-informed decision-making within a vibrant and highly creative academic community.

The successful candidate will be a nimble and collaborative leader with deep expertise in institutional research, assessment, analytics, and accreditation. Working closely with academic and administrative partners across campus, the AVPIRA will lead efforts to align data collection, analysis, and reporting with institutional priorities, state and federal requirements, and ongoing strategic initiatives. Of particular importance is the ability to translate complex quantitative and qualitative data into compelling narratives and visualizations that resonate with varied audiences, including faculty, staff, senior leadership, and the Board, to support continuous improvement across the institution.

This is a fully on-site position and offers a generous benefits package.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND JOB DUTIES:

• Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of a system of integrated planning, assessment, and evaluation across the institution to include research and analysis, environmental scanning, peer comparisons, benchmarking, trend analysis, key performance indicators, and reporting progress on initiatives to inform institutional decision making.
• Provide guidance and support to the President, Provost, and senior leadership in planning, strategic initiatives, and institutional improvement.
• Develop statistical models and/or customized analyses to support enrollment and retention goals for the College.
• Collaborate with Information Technology, Finance, Student Success and Enrollment Management, and other College departments to ensure integrity of data from all sources, both internal and external.
• Provide predictive analytics in support of the Strategic Plan.
• Coordinate reporting efforts to eliminate redundancy and increase effectiveness.
• Prepare data and communications for review, submission, and/or information sharing with a range of internal and external stakeholders including the Department of Higher Education, Board of Trustees, accrediting entities, and government agencies.
• Support planning, goal setting, and assessment work with an equity lens across academic departments, student success services, and other administrative areas.
• Support academic departments in data needs for end-of-year reports and program reviews.
• Serve as the College’s primary accreditation liaison.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated experience identifying appropriate assessment methods and process surveys as well as directing the analysis of assessment data documentation processes and results.
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and projects simultaneously; design, organize, and manage complex projects.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, as well as the ability to present complex data in a clear and concise manner to a lay audience.
• Knowledge of state and federal agencies and regulations pertaining to data collection and research in higher education or not-for-profit organizations.
• Ability to motivate, manage, and supervise a team to achieve goals.
• Expertise in creating an inclusive approach and working effectively with a diverse constituency on-campus and in the community.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree
• Seven or more years’ experience at a senior level in business intelligence/data analysis, data-driven decision-making, quality improvement, institutional research, or related fields in higher education or not-for-profit organizations
• Professional experience in experimental design, building sophisticated statistical models via multivariate and/or path analysis, regression, segmentation, decision trees, and/or time series
• Superior proficiency in computer applications, including spreadsheet, word-processing, and database software; functional knowledge of computer statistical applications for data acquisition and analysis (e.g., SPSS, SAS, Qualtrics)
• Excellent communication skills and demonstrable ability to clarify and simplify data so those who are not versed in data analysis understand the information and how best to use it

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Higher education experience
• Massachusetts or other public higher education experience
• Creativity, flexibility, tenacity, optimism, high energy level, and sense of humor

About the Institution

Founded in 1873, Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt), is the nation's first and only independent, free-standing public college of art and design. MassArt is an inclusive community of thinkers, doers, makers, educators, innovators, and leaders striving to shape the future through art and design. Located in Boston's hub of arts and culture along the Avenue of the Arts, MassArt enrolls 2,000 students and offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate degrees in 18 disciplines, as well as continuing education and youth programs.

MassArt is a diverse and inclusive campus community that prepares artists, designers, and educators from diverse backgrounds to shape communities, economies, and cultures for the common good. The College offers twenty-two areas of concentration in fine arts, design and art education, and awards one undergraduate degree, the Bachelor of Fine Arts, and graduate degrees including the Master of Fine Arts, the Master of Art in Teaching, Master of Education, Master of Design Innovation, and the Master of Architecture. The college also offers certificate programs in Communication Design, Fashion Design, Furniture Design, and Industrial Design.

The College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), the National Architecture Accrediting Board (NAAB) and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) and is a member of the Association of Independent College of Art and Design (AICAD) the ProArts Consortium and the Colleges of Fenway, a collaboration of five neighboring Boston-based colleges in the Fenway area.

Living in the Area 

With a cosmopolitan population of nearly 700,000, Boston often feels like a small town with the perks of city life. It is a city offering cultural diversity, a rich culinary and arts scene, and proximity to world-class schools, employers and health care. It is on the cutting edge of medicine and technology but traditional in its love of sports and the city’s deep history. With a modern, attractive, and completely walkable downtown, Boston is dotted with Revolutionary period historic sites along the Freedom Trail and preserved old streetscapes mixed in with modern commercial office buildings.The scenic Charles River offers endless opportunities for outdoor activities. 

Arts and culture amenities in downtown Boston and the entire surrounding area are exceptional, and most, like the Boston Pops and the Museum of Fine Arts, are well known beyond the city limits. 

The surrounding suburbs offer an excellent alternative to city living with access to a well-used commuter rail system. Each neighborhood has its own town center that is functional, accessible by the rail system, and filled with local businesses. 

Education, at all levels, is outstanding in Boston and the surrounding areas. Public schools are nationally recognized and are a driver for people moving to the area. Additionally, the entire Boston Metro area is centrally located near everything Massachusetts and the Northeast has to offer – skiing in New Hampshire, beaches in Cape Cod, and trips to New York City are all only 2 to 3 hours away. 

Why Work at MassArt?

Massachusetts College of Art and Design offers a dynamic, inclusive, and creative work environment with a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Health Insurance: Medical insurance along with life insurance, and long-term disability through the Commonwealth’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC). MetLife Dental and vision coverage is also offered through MetLife
• Retirement Plans: Participation in the Massachusetts State Employees’ Retirement System and additional optional savings plans including 403b and 457b plans
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Healthcare spending account as well as a dependent care assistance program. Both are pre-tax annual use or lose programs
• Employee Assistance Program: AllOne Health is our EAP provider offering a variety of free confidential assistance to all our employees
• Generous Paid Leave: Vacation, sick, and personal
• Other Leaves: FMLA, PFML, and other state or federal programs
• Commuter Transit and Parking Benefits: Qualified transportation program allows use of pre-tax dollars to purchase passes, a monthly subsidy for non-drivers, and access to Longwood Medical Area shuttles
• Professional Development: Access to training, workshops, and creative resources
• Campus Perks: Free admission to the MassArt Art Museum (MAAM), cultural events, and employee discounts at local museums
• Work-Life Balance: Wellness programs and flexible scheduling options (where applicable)
• Collaborative Culture: Join a mission-driven community committed to equity, innovation, and the arts

To Apply 

For full consideration, please apply by March 16, 2026. Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration. However, the position will remain open until filled and applications may be considered after the priority date.

To be viewed by the search firm, you must apply directly at: https://acesrch.applicantstack.com/x/detail/a21esjy6uve7

Please apply through the application link and do not email applications.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially.

Inquiries and questions: Please send to MassArtAVPIRA@acesrch.com.

Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominee’s name, title, and contact information if available to nominations@acesrch.com.

Salary range for this position: $150,000-160,000. 

Institutional Information

MassArt provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, genetic information, pregnancy or a pregnancy-related condition, or membership in any other legally protected class. MassArt complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the college operates. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.