The director of data design & visualization leads the development of data visualization strategies for the Institutional Effectiveness (IE) team, a department within the UT System’s Division of Academic Affairs, Research and Student Success. The IE team promotes a culture of continuous improvement and enhances evidence-based decision making by offering services in planning, assessment, business intelligence, institutional research, and data visualization. The director transforms complex institutional data into clear, engaging, and accessible visuals that support data-informed decision-making and effective storytelling for the UT Board of Trustees, System leaders, and a wide range of other stakeholders. Reporting to the associate vice president for institutional effectiveness, the director ensures that visualizations are accurate, timely, and user-centered – combining design and technical expertise with a deep understanding of higher education data to create impactful and intuitive data products.
The director will apply recognized data storytelling and visual analytics techniques that elevate the value of data as a strategic asset. This includes alignment with principles such as accuracy, context, audience appropriateness, and ethical representation of information. The ideal candidate combines strong design and technical expertise with a firm comprehension of higher education data and dynamics.
Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, data analytics, visual communication, information systems, or a related field with a minimum of three years of professional experience designing and delivering data visualizations and dashboards in a business, institutional, or public-facing context.
Additional skills, experiences, and qualifications include:
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in graphic design, data analytics, visual communication, information systems, or a related field.
Application Process
For full consideration, applications should be accompanied by a letter of interest, a resume, and three professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately.
Benefits and Compensation
Compensation for the position is budgeted for $95,000 to $105,000.
The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits and much more. Additionally, Tennessee residents do not pay a state income tax. For more information on the University of Tennessee’s benefits, visit https://hr.tennessee.edu/benefits/
The University of Tennessee System is the state’s oldest higher education institution and preeminent public university. The UT System is comprised of campuses at Knoxville, Chattanooga, Pulaski and Martin; the Health Science Center at Memphis; and the statewide Institute of Agriculture and Institute for Public Service. With a presence in each of Tennessee’s 95 counties and through the combined force of education, research and outreach, the University serves students, business and industry, schools, governments, organizations and residents statewide.
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