Project Manager, Academic Compliance and Accreditation - Provost Office

at  Washington University in St Louis

POSITION SUMMARY

The primary purpose of this position is to support the accreditation, tracking, and academic compliance efforts of the University including, but not limited to, the Higher Learning Commission University Accreditation and NC-SARA.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience with regulatory compliance reporting.
• Experience with institutional accreditation, preferably the Higher Learning Commission.
• Experience working in a highly decentralized environment.
• Ability to think systemically, identify stakeholders and balance needs and points-of-view.
• Ability to work independently and assume significant decision making responsibilities - planning, execution, completion and monitoring.
• Ability to succinctly summarize project work, contextualize problems, and offer solutions.
• Ability to analyze complex problems, interpret operational needs, and develop integrated creative solutions.
• Ability to manage resources, timelines and budgets.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills.
• Proficiency in investigating and interpreting HLC accreditation policies and processes.
• Ability to anticipate, plan, organize, and complete tasks; be able to envision processes and anticipate needs; act on these processes.
• Sensitivity to and demonstrated skill at working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, WordPress, SharePoint, Adobe Acrobat Pro, Adobe Photoshop.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Seven years in demonstrated project management or program management experience.
• Extensive and detailed knowledge of academic and administrative structure of the University and all its constituent parts.
• Successful history managing complex projects with a broad stakeholder community.
• Outstanding written communication skills.
• Knowledge and ability to develop and deliver visually appealing and engaging presentations.

University Accreditation/Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

• Stays apprised of HLC communications and attend annual HLC conference to ensure HLC’s policy and procedure changes are identified and implemented within the University, including the areas of:
• Open Pathways
• Criteria for Accreditation
• Substantive changes
• Federal Compliance (U.S. Department of Education mandates monitored via HLC)
• Develops an approach for continuous monitoring and assessments of HLC compliance across the University.
• Develops and implements a strategic communication plan for HLC compliance to the University community, including:
• Advises University administration and schools on HLC compliance.
• Serves as a resource to the University community regarding questions pertaining to accreditation.
• Acts as the central point-of-contact regarding accreditation for the University community.
• Convenes relevant school and campus stakeholders regularly to ensure relevant academic compliance changes are communicated and implemented.
• Oversees University HLC Substantive Change applications.
• Collects and analyzes data from all schools and administration for the HLC Annual Institutional Data Report.
• Builds and maintains a strong relationship with key HLC personnel.
• Creates and continually monitors timelines to ensure the University meets HLC mandatory deadlines.
• Annual Institutional Updates
• Quality Initiative proposal and report
• Substantive Change applications
• Other reports as requested by HLC
• Oversees four year Assurance Review (Argument, backed by Evidence)
• Oversees ten year Comprehensive Evaluations
• Federal Compliance Review
• Assurance Review (Argument, backed by Evidence)
• Multi Campus visit
• Student Opinion Survey
• On-site peer review team visit
• Drafts HLC sub-committee charges.
• Develop sub-committee training strategies on HLC evaluation processes, roles and responsibilities.
• Oversees the administration of the HLC on-line Assurance System (Chancellor appointed position).
• Manages Washington University accreditation website.
• Plans and implements the HLC peer reviewer site visits for:
• Danforth campus
• Branch campus (School of Medicine)
• Additional locations
• Participates in University-wide assessment initiatives.
• Serves as the key staff partner in developing, planning, communicating, and organizing the quality initiative for the HLC review.
• Liaises with campus partners to communicate relevant Department of Education rule changes and audit school policies and processes regularly to ensure standards are met.
• Engages in quality improvement projects at the university level to coordinate resources, references, and policies where possible.
• Servess as a thought partner in quality assurance and improvement activities in the delivery of academic programs.
• This position will serve as the Accreditation Liaison Officer of the university beginning in January 2025.