Associate Director for Competitive Intelligence
The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas, United States, 75080
Job Summary
UT Dallas seeks an Associate Director for Competitive Intelligence to establish and lead a new, institution-wide, proactive competitive intelligence (CI) function. Embedded within the integrated institutional research and effectiveness unit in the Office of Institutional Success and Decision Support ( OISDS ) and working alongside multiple partners across the university, this role will systematically monitor, analyze, and communicate information about competitors, markets, and external trends to support strategic decision‑making in a variety of mission-critical areas, such as research development, academic program development, and enrollment management. The role will deliver environmental scans tied to UT Dallas’s strategic pillars, synthesize emerging themes for the strategic vision, and produce actionable insights for executive leaders. The successful candidate will be a critical thinker who is intellectually curious, strategically insightful, and able to effectively convey information and insights to a wide range of audiences. This is a high‑visibility individual contributor role with the opportunity to shape and grow a modern CI capability at UT Dallas. Minimum Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in a related field; 5-7 years related professional experience; or any equivalent combination of education and experience. Preferred Education and Experience
Preferred Education & Experience: 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in competitive/market intelligence, institutional research/analytics, strategy, consulting, or related fields. Demonstrated record of delivering high impact CI or strategy projects for executive stakeholders. Advanced degree preferred (e.g., MBA , MPP / MPA , MS in Analytics/Data Science, MS in Information/Library Science with research intelligence focus, or related). Higher education experience preferred (research universities strongly preferred). Relevant analytics/BI certifications (Tableau, Power BI) and/or research analytics credentials (InCites/SciVal) a plus. Experience establishing a new CI function or maturing a nascent capability; familiarity with university governance and decision processes. Expertise in environmental scanning, competitor analysis, market sizing, SWOT / TOWS , scenario planning, and thematic synthesis for strategic planning. Advanced analytic and presentation skills; adept at translating evidence into clear recommendations and compelling executive narratives. Proficiency with qualitative and quantitative methods; ability to use or oversee tools such as: BI/Visualization: Tableau, Power BI. Statistical/analysis: R, Python, or equivalent. Research intelligence: Clarivate InCites/SciVal, Dimensions, Web of Science/Scopus; NIH RePORTER, NSF Award Search. Market/labor analytics: Lightcast (Emsi/Burning Glass) or equivalent. CI monitoring: Competitor monitoring platforms (e.g., Crayon, AlphaSense) and ethical web research.
Exceptional written and oral communication; facilitation skills; ability to build trust and social capital across diverse stakeholder groups. Strong organization and project management; manages multiple priorities and delivers on tight timelines. Mission‑driven and institutionally committed; takes visible pride in advancing UT Dallas’s objectives. Ability to work in a highly collaborative environment that requires prioritizing communication across the departmental and university hierarchy while executing directives with autonomy. Performance Metrics (Year 1)
Establish CI framework, ethics/compliance standards, and operating cadence for the University. Complete initial environmental scan aligned to UT Dallas’s strategic pillars; collaborate with OISDS colleagues to deliver thematic syntheses of the strategic plan data gathering. Conduct an inventory of internal and external data sources for the CI function to identify additional data needs and to support the prioritization of ongoing data integration projects in OISDS. Produce core CI deliverables (competitor dossiers, research funding landscape, program market scans) with documented decision impacts, as directed. Build strong stakeholder relationships; achieve high satisfaction in executive feedback. Present a resourcing/tooling plan with cost/benefit rationale to mature the CI function at UT Dallas. Other Qualifications
To the extent this position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the critical infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired and to continue to be employed in the position. Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Strategy, Environmental Scanning, and Executive Support Develop a university CI function and operating framework—including ethics and compliance guardrails aligned with the Strategic Consortium of Intelligence Professionals ( SCIP ) and applicable state, federal, and UT System requirements. Lead comprehensive environmental scans aligned to UT Dallas’s three strategic pillars; proactively identify market gaps, emerging opportunities, and attendant risks; craft thematic syntheses to inform the strategic plan and institutional priorities. Contribute to preparing OISDS executive briefs for the broader Strategic Initiatives office, Cabinet, and President by providing regular CI-specific reports and ad hoc decision support analyses to respond to targeted inquiries from deans and administrative units. Perform SWOT and TOWS analyses for institutional strategies, research areas, academic programs, and market-facing initiatives; translate findings into accessible reports and actionable recommendations. Competitive and Market Intelligence Delivery
Support core functions in the Office of Strategic Initiatives, Office of Research and Innovation, Office of Admission and Enrollment Services, Curricular Services in the Office of the Provost, and Office of Development and Alumni Relations. Produce a standard portfolio of CI deliverables, including: Competitor dossiers and benchmarking (research strengths, funding portfolios, faculty recruitment, partnerships, facilities). Market scans for new and existing programs (demand, pricing, modality trends, regional/national competition). Research funding landscape assessments (federal, industry, philanthropic), bibliometrics analyses, and positioning opportunities. Rankings/brand diagnostics and variance analyses; narrative insights to improve visibility and reputation. Regular CI briefings, issue spotlights, and risk/opportunity watch lists. Synthesize and communicate insights in clear narratives, dashboards, and decision memos tailored to executive audiences. Collaboration, Data, and Methods
Partner closely with departmental teams, such as the OISDS Institutional Research and Data Warehouse, and business intelligence colleagues to ensure data quality, harmonize data sources and definitions, and align CI outputs with institutional KPIs. Audit existing data sources, subscriptions, and tools upon onboarding; recommend and justify additions to build a robust CI toolkit (e.g., bibliometrics, research funding databases, labor market analytics, competitor monitoring platforms, state and federal datasets). Establish lightweight standards for CI research methods, evidence grading, and documentation to support reproducible, ethical, and policy‑compliant analyses. Build relationships across schools/units to surface intelligence needs and ensure CI findings are embedded in planning and decision cycles. Develop partnerships, as appropriate, with faculty members for collaborative research opportunities that support CI function. Operating Model and Maturation
Create an annual CI plan and cadence (e.g., quarterly environmental scans, monthly situation briefs for Cabinet, annual competitive landscape report); define intake and prioritization for ad hoc requests aligned with OISDS processes and strategic goals. Develop CI-specific artifacts that augment the OISDS production of templates, dashboards, and communications; coach stakeholders on interpreting and sharing CI outputs. Prepare business cases that articulate impact, ROI , and resourcing needs to mature the CI function and, over time, propose team structure as demand grows. Physical Demands and Working Conditions Physical Activities Working Conditions Additional Information Additional information to know: Presence on the UT Dallas campus is essential for success; flexible/hybrid work arrangements permitted as project intensity allows. Minimal travel; as needed for professional society conferences and partner engagements. Role may include extended hours during strategic planning cycles. What We Can Offer UT Dallas is an Equal Opportunity Employer with an employee-friendly and supportive work environment. Our comprehensive compensation and benefits package that is effective as of your hire date includes: BCBS PPO Medical Insurance Options – including
100% paid
employee medical coverage for full-time employees AD&D Insurance Dental & Vision Plan Options Long and short-term disability TRS Retirement Plan Fertility Benefits Paid time off All UT Dallas employees have access to various professional development opportunities, including a membership to Academic Impressions, LinkedIn Learning, and UT Dallas Bright Leaders Program. Visit
https://hr.utdallas.edu/employees/benefits/
for more information. 1) All employees serve as a representative of the University and are expected to display respect, civility, professional courtesy, consideration of others and discretion in all interactions with members of the UT Dallas community and the general public. 2) The University of Texas at Dallas is committed to providing an educational, living, and working environment that is welcoming, respectful, and inclusive of all members of the university community. UT Dallas does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its services, programs, activities, employment, and education, including in admission and enrollment. The University is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request reasonable accommodation in the employment application and interview process, contact the ADA Coordinator. For inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, contact the Title IX Coordinator. Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*). * Please indicate your highest degree level:
None Associate's Bachelor's Master's Juris Doctor PhD or equivalent
* Please indicate years of relevant experience:
None Less than one year One to three years Three to five years Five years plus
How many years of work experience in a higher education environment do you have?
None Less than two years Two to five years Five to seven years More than seven years
* Please describe any/all experience related to this position. (Open Ended Question)
Required Documents Resume Cover Letter/Letter of Application Optional Documents
Other Document Veteran Employment Preference - Form DD-214 Human Resources, 800 West Campbell Road, AD3.418 Richardson, TX 75080-3021
#J-18808-Ljbffr
UT Dallas seeks an Associate Director for Competitive Intelligence to establish and lead a new, institution-wide, proactive competitive intelligence (CI) function. Embedded within the integrated institutional research and effectiveness unit in the Office of Institutional Success and Decision Support ( OISDS ) and working alongside multiple partners across the university, this role will systematically monitor, analyze, and communicate information about competitors, markets, and external trends to support strategic decision‑making in a variety of mission-critical areas, such as research development, academic program development, and enrollment management. The role will deliver environmental scans tied to UT Dallas’s strategic pillars, synthesize emerging themes for the strategic vision, and produce actionable insights for executive leaders. The successful candidate will be a critical thinker who is intellectually curious, strategically insightful, and able to effectively convey information and insights to a wide range of audiences. This is a high‑visibility individual contributor role with the opportunity to shape and grow a modern CI capability at UT Dallas. Minimum Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in a related field; 5-7 years related professional experience; or any equivalent combination of education and experience. Preferred Education and Experience
Preferred Education & Experience: 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in competitive/market intelligence, institutional research/analytics, strategy, consulting, or related fields. Demonstrated record of delivering high impact CI or strategy projects for executive stakeholders. Advanced degree preferred (e.g., MBA , MPP / MPA , MS in Analytics/Data Science, MS in Information/Library Science with research intelligence focus, or related). Higher education experience preferred (research universities strongly preferred). Relevant analytics/BI certifications (Tableau, Power BI) and/or research analytics credentials (InCites/SciVal) a plus. Experience establishing a new CI function or maturing a nascent capability; familiarity with university governance and decision processes. Expertise in environmental scanning, competitor analysis, market sizing, SWOT / TOWS , scenario planning, and thematic synthesis for strategic planning. Advanced analytic and presentation skills; adept at translating evidence into clear recommendations and compelling executive narratives. Proficiency with qualitative and quantitative methods; ability to use or oversee tools such as: BI/Visualization: Tableau, Power BI. Statistical/analysis: R, Python, or equivalent. Research intelligence: Clarivate InCites/SciVal, Dimensions, Web of Science/Scopus; NIH RePORTER, NSF Award Search. Market/labor analytics: Lightcast (Emsi/Burning Glass) or equivalent. CI monitoring: Competitor monitoring platforms (e.g., Crayon, AlphaSense) and ethical web research.
Exceptional written and oral communication; facilitation skills; ability to build trust and social capital across diverse stakeholder groups. Strong organization and project management; manages multiple priorities and delivers on tight timelines. Mission‑driven and institutionally committed; takes visible pride in advancing UT Dallas’s objectives. Ability to work in a highly collaborative environment that requires prioritizing communication across the departmental and university hierarchy while executing directives with autonomy. Performance Metrics (Year 1)
Establish CI framework, ethics/compliance standards, and operating cadence for the University. Complete initial environmental scan aligned to UT Dallas’s strategic pillars; collaborate with OISDS colleagues to deliver thematic syntheses of the strategic plan data gathering. Conduct an inventory of internal and external data sources for the CI function to identify additional data needs and to support the prioritization of ongoing data integration projects in OISDS. Produce core CI deliverables (competitor dossiers, research funding landscape, program market scans) with documented decision impacts, as directed. Build strong stakeholder relationships; achieve high satisfaction in executive feedback. Present a resourcing/tooling plan with cost/benefit rationale to mature the CI function at UT Dallas. Other Qualifications
To the extent this position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the critical infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired and to continue to be employed in the position. Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Strategy, Environmental Scanning, and Executive Support Develop a university CI function and operating framework—including ethics and compliance guardrails aligned with the Strategic Consortium of Intelligence Professionals ( SCIP ) and applicable state, federal, and UT System requirements. Lead comprehensive environmental scans aligned to UT Dallas’s three strategic pillars; proactively identify market gaps, emerging opportunities, and attendant risks; craft thematic syntheses to inform the strategic plan and institutional priorities. Contribute to preparing OISDS executive briefs for the broader Strategic Initiatives office, Cabinet, and President by providing regular CI-specific reports and ad hoc decision support analyses to respond to targeted inquiries from deans and administrative units. Perform SWOT and TOWS analyses for institutional strategies, research areas, academic programs, and market-facing initiatives; translate findings into accessible reports and actionable recommendations. Competitive and Market Intelligence Delivery
Support core functions in the Office of Strategic Initiatives, Office of Research and Innovation, Office of Admission and Enrollment Services, Curricular Services in the Office of the Provost, and Office of Development and Alumni Relations. Produce a standard portfolio of CI deliverables, including: Competitor dossiers and benchmarking (research strengths, funding portfolios, faculty recruitment, partnerships, facilities). Market scans for new and existing programs (demand, pricing, modality trends, regional/national competition). Research funding landscape assessments (federal, industry, philanthropic), bibliometrics analyses, and positioning opportunities. Rankings/brand diagnostics and variance analyses; narrative insights to improve visibility and reputation. Regular CI briefings, issue spotlights, and risk/opportunity watch lists. Synthesize and communicate insights in clear narratives, dashboards, and decision memos tailored to executive audiences. Collaboration, Data, and Methods
Partner closely with departmental teams, such as the OISDS Institutional Research and Data Warehouse, and business intelligence colleagues to ensure data quality, harmonize data sources and definitions, and align CI outputs with institutional KPIs. Audit existing data sources, subscriptions, and tools upon onboarding; recommend and justify additions to build a robust CI toolkit (e.g., bibliometrics, research funding databases, labor market analytics, competitor monitoring platforms, state and federal datasets). Establish lightweight standards for CI research methods, evidence grading, and documentation to support reproducible, ethical, and policy‑compliant analyses. Build relationships across schools/units to surface intelligence needs and ensure CI findings are embedded in planning and decision cycles. Develop partnerships, as appropriate, with faculty members for collaborative research opportunities that support CI function. Operating Model and Maturation
Create an annual CI plan and cadence (e.g., quarterly environmental scans, monthly situation briefs for Cabinet, annual competitive landscape report); define intake and prioritization for ad hoc requests aligned with OISDS processes and strategic goals. Develop CI-specific artifacts that augment the OISDS production of templates, dashboards, and communications; coach stakeholders on interpreting and sharing CI outputs. Prepare business cases that articulate impact, ROI , and resourcing needs to mature the CI function and, over time, propose team structure as demand grows. Physical Demands and Working Conditions Physical Activities Working Conditions Additional Information Additional information to know: Presence on the UT Dallas campus is essential for success; flexible/hybrid work arrangements permitted as project intensity allows. Minimal travel; as needed for professional society conferences and partner engagements. Role may include extended hours during strategic planning cycles. What We Can Offer UT Dallas is an Equal Opportunity Employer with an employee-friendly and supportive work environment. Our comprehensive compensation and benefits package that is effective as of your hire date includes: BCBS PPO Medical Insurance Options – including
100% paid
employee medical coverage for full-time employees AD&D Insurance Dental & Vision Plan Options Long and short-term disability TRS Retirement Plan Fertility Benefits Paid time off All UT Dallas employees have access to various professional development opportunities, including a membership to Academic Impressions, LinkedIn Learning, and UT Dallas Bright Leaders Program. Visit
https://hr.utdallas.edu/employees/benefits/
for more information. 1) All employees serve as a representative of the University and are expected to display respect, civility, professional courtesy, consideration of others and discretion in all interactions with members of the UT Dallas community and the general public. 2) The University of Texas at Dallas is committed to providing an educational, living, and working environment that is welcoming, respectful, and inclusive of all members of the university community. UT Dallas does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its services, programs, activities, employment, and education, including in admission and enrollment. The University is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request reasonable accommodation in the employment application and interview process, contact the ADA Coordinator. For inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, contact the Title IX Coordinator. Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*). * Please indicate your highest degree level:
None Associate's Bachelor's Master's Juris Doctor PhD or equivalent
* Please indicate years of relevant experience:
None Less than one year One to three years Three to five years Five years plus
How many years of work experience in a higher education environment do you have?
None Less than two years Two to five years Five to seven years More than seven years
* Please describe any/all experience related to this position. (Open Ended Question)
Required Documents Resume Cover Letter/Letter of Application Optional Documents
Other Document Veteran Employment Preference - Form DD-214 Human Resources, 800 West Campbell Road, AD3.418 Richardson, TX 75080-3021
#J-18808-Ljbffr