Director, Academic Compliance Operations

Priority Application Review Deadline: Sep 1, 2024

Summary:

Relay Graduate School of Education (Relay) is an accredited not-for-profit institution of higher education serving thousands of educators from across the country, from pre-service teachers to system-level leaders. Our mission is to ensure that all students are taught by excellent educators, in order to build a more just world where every student has a clear path to a fulfilling life.

The Academic Compliance team serves Relay through expertise in institutional accreditation & compliance, assessment and the quality assurance process, federal requirements, and state authorizations as an institution of higher education (IHE) and an education preparation program (EPP) provider. Reporting to the Managing Director, Accreditation & Assessment (working closely with the Managing Director, State & Policy Academic Compliance), the Director, Academic Compliance Operations supports the institution’s sustainability and stability. The Director, Academic Compliance Operations will collaborate across multiple teams to ensure Relay GSE’s accreditation, assessment, and state higher education approvals remain compliant. This role involves leading operations and project management for the creation, implementation, and maintenance of cross-functional systems, and initiatives that allow for Relay’s programmatic offerings to meet or exceed accreditation and higher education standards. As an integral contributor to Relay’s compliance efforts, the Director fosters strong cross-functional relationships and helps inform the Academic Compliance team’s vision and strategy.

Role’s Contributions (Duties and Responsibilities): 

The essential responsibilities of this position, while not limited to the following, will include: 

State Higher Education Compliance Operations (~40%)

• Lead the management of state higher education authorization portfolios including cyclical renewals, reauthorizations, state higher education authorization compliance applications, and data reports 
• Maintain and update the database of state higher education authorization requirements for Relay’s approved locations and support communication of these requirements to shared services teams.
• Manage databases of state authorization requirements and fiscal obligations.
• Maintain familiarity with state-based educator preparation program requirements and the intersections with state higher education and federal compliance.
• Participate in internal policy audits to ensure alignment with accreditation standards and advise on changes.
• Execute the operational logistics of onsite and offsite reviews conducted by state higher education and/or educator preparation program regulators, travel is anticipated 3-4 times per year.
• Contribute to special projects or initiatives, as assigned.

Accreditation Operations (~35%)

• Execute the institution’s accreditation efforts, including collaborating with faculty, staff, and leadership to accomplish accreditation goals, needs, and activities.
• Lead and operationalize the efforts to prepare accreditation reports in collaboration with relevant subject matter experts, senior leadership, and executive leadership 
• Manage accreditation processes, such as serving as an accreditation project manager for colleagues, collecting supporting narratives, evidence, and documentation.
• Execute the operational logistics of onsite and offsite accreditation events. 
• Develop and maintain sustainable systems and operation procedures for continuous accreditation activities.
• Review regulatory and accreditation standards for institutional improvement.

Assessment and Quality Assurance Operations (~25%)

• Implement the strategy, tools and technology to support a robust culture of assessment.
• Develop and implement institutional quality assurance and project plans for accreditation.
• Assist and collaborate in the creation of  a broad assessment schema to apply to all departments with measurable performance outcomes.
• Serve on the Continuous Improvement Workgroup and effectively implement recommended improvements

QUALIFICATIONS

First and foremost, the Director, Academic Compliance Operations must share the Relay community’s commitment to working together to improve student growth and achievement through phenomenal teacher preparation grounded in diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. This includes providing teacher preparation programs that set novice teachers up to succeed in the classroom from day one; leadership programs that train new and veteran school and district leaders to best serve their school communities; and teacher-facing professional education that provides ongoing learning to educators. Additionally, for this position we’re looking for candidates that possess a combination of the following skills:

• Master’s degree from a college or university 
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in higher education with knowledge of teacher preparation and licensure regulations.
• Proficiency in researching and interpreting state, federal, and accreditation standards.
• Skilled in synthesizing information from multiple sources with attention to detail and efficiency.
• Proven leadership in solution-oriented engagement, planning, and stakeholder communication; adaptable to changing priorities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Experience managing logistics for virtual and in-person regulatory reviews and site visits.
• Demonstrated success in project management.
• Ability to quickly learn and integrate new technologies and skills.
• Culturally responsive mindset with a passion for education and social justice.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Drive Suite, and SmartSheet.
• Authorized to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience within a state higher education and/or state educator preparation regulatory department. 

Relay prepares teachers and school leaders to teach students of all identities and backgrounds in order to push toward a time when this country no longer faces stark educational inequities. We recruit, develop, support, and retain a diverse staff, faculty, and graduate student body because we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and actively anti-racist institution. We know, and the data supports, that diversity, equity, and inclusion cultivate an environment in which people of all backgrounds can thrive and this is critical to achieving our mission of educational excellence and equity.

To fulfill that commitment, Relay encourages applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply for roles that align with their own interests and career trajectory. If you meet a majority of the qualifications and see yourself in this role, we would love to see your application!

COMPENSATION

Relay is committed to creating and maintaining a compensation and benefits system that supports our ability to recruit and retain a diverse and talented team. As we make decisions about compensation, we will be guided by the following values: clarity, consistency, and internal equity. The salary range for this role is $96,525-135,135. New hires will be offered a salary at the starting point of the range, $96,525 to allow for an equitable starting salary process and continual salary growth during an employee’s time at Relay GSE.

To ensure internal pay equity:

• Relay does not currently differentiate starting salary offers based on years of experience,
• All staff salaries will be capped at the salary range maximum, and
• Relay does not negotiate salary offers.

Relay offers a comprehensive total rewards package. For full-time roles, this includes health insurance benefits, disability and life insurance, retirement plan, professional development, gym reimbursement, adoption assistance, paid time off (PTO), parental leave, etc. To learn more about Relay’s benefits, please visit here.   

WORK LOCATION POLICY

Employees must have a primary work location within the U.S., where they are legally authorized to work. Relay is a registered employer in the following states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington State and Washington DC. Please note that Relay Graduate School of Education's headquarters are in New York City. Employees who choose to perform work from states not listed here will be subject to NYC state withholdings.

COVID-19 VACCINATION POLICY

Relay highly encourages all employees to be fully vaccinated with an FDA or WHO authorized vaccine. Relay abides by each state’s requirements, and acknowledges those may change over time. If moved forward to the phone screen stage, you will have the chance to ask your recruiter more about this policy. 

Relay Graduate School of Education provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees.

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Last updated on Aug 13, 2024