Director of Academic Program Authorization

Job Requisition:

JR102209 Director of Academic Program Authorization (Open)

Job Posting Title:

Director of Academic Program Authorization

Department:

CC00227 WM001 | PROV | Office of IAE

Job Family:

Staff - Academic Program Administration

Worker Sub-Type:

Regular (benefited)

Job Requisition Primary Location:

Stetson House

Primary Job Posting Location:

Posting Location - William & Mary

Job Description Summary:

Special Instructions:
For full consideration, please apply by the Priority Review Date of November 30, 2026. Applications received after this date are not guaranteed consideration and will only be reviewed if the search committee determines that additional candidates are needed. The application portal will continue to accept applications until 11:59 p.m. on December 11, 2026.

Required application materials:
A resume and cover letter are required for this position - please upload both documents with your application.

We will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.

Salary: $100,000 to $120,000, commensurate with experience.


Unit Mission Statement:
The Office of Institutional Accreditation & Effectiveness oversees W&M’s accreditation by SACSCOC. We also manage state authorization, approvals by SCHEV, and compliance with federal and state academic regulations, fostering a culture of belonging and respect among institutional partners with diverse perspectives. We direct and manage rigorous institution-wide evaluation and assessment programs and W&M’s institutional change process, encouraging curiosity and innovation in enhancing educational quality. In alignment with W&M's mission, we are committed to integrity and transparency, empowering our community to flourish and thrive through ethical practices and evidence-based decision-making that serves the greater good and ensures a vibrant future for William & Mary.

Position Summary:
The Director of Academic Program Authorization reports to the Associate Provost for Institutional Research & Effectiveness (APIRE) and serves as an institutional expert in matters relating to academic program approval and state authorization.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Remains highly knowledgeable on the policies and requirements of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), and the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA).
• Supplements the APIRE’s work with institutional accreditation and serves as the institution’s deputy authority in accreditation-related matters.
• Works with the APIRE in representing William & Mary to relevant external entities and directs various initiatives throughout the institution to ensure timely and thorough interaction with and reporting to SCHEV.
• Ensures compliance through proactive planning and procedure development including training faculty and administrative colleagues on requirements relating to state authorization, SCHEV, and SACSCOC – and working with them in the review and implementation of policy.

Job Description:

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training from an accredited institution.
• Working knowledge of regional accreditation processes and standards.
• Demonstrated knowledge of state requirements and processes for authorizing academic programs and organizational changes in higher education.
• Demonstrated knowledge of state authorizations for delivery of distance learning and for out-of-state learning placements and experiences.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply higher education policy.
• Progressive experience with increasing responsibility in higher education academic administration activities.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to collaborate with other university leaders.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including technical and professional writing ability.
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Earned doctorate from a regionally accredited institution.
• Leadership experience in higher education.
• Experience with NC-SARA.
• Experience with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) or a similar public body for academic program approvals and organizational change approvals.
• Experience working with academic units to monitor and report on licensure, certification, and out-of-state learning placements.
• Experience utilizing the following systems: Blackboard/Anthology (including Compliance Assist and Planning), Watermark Faculty Success, Microsoft Office suite, Curriculog, Qlik, Qualtrics, Blackboard, and Box.

Hiring Range: $100,000 - $120,000 commensurate with qualifications.

Conditions of Employment:

• This position may require additional hours beyond the typical work week, including occasional overnight and weekend work as needed to meet the business needs of the operation.
• Information Security: This position requires administrative access to the university’s information systems and/or sensitive university data. The incumbent is expected to be aware of and adhere to the Information Security policies of the university as well as all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Additionally, the incumbent is expected to follow information security best practices applicable to their job area and to pursue information security training and awareness opportunities when possible.

Essential Designation: No

Job Duties:
35% - State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV):

• Ensure institutional compliance with SCHEV academic policies by maintaining close engagement with university schools and programs and by executing required applications and notifications.
• In close collaboration with deans’ offices, the Director for Institutional Effectiveness, and SCHEV staff, prepare documents, proposals, and files for submission to obtain SCHEV approval of program actions and for organizational changes.
• Coordinate with the Director of Institutional Research on SCHEV programmatic reporting.
• Monitor and ensure alignment of William & Mary programs with the SCHEV Program Inventory.
• In collaboration with deans’ offices, organize responses for W&M programs that do not meet SCHEV-defined quantitative program productivity standards.

30% - State Authorization:

• Coordinate with the APIRE, the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, W&M University Counsel, deans’ offices, and departmental/program leaders regarding state authorization and National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) for compliance matters.
• Collaborate with the APIRE and others to prepare the annual NC-SARA renewal applications.
• Ensure institutional compliance with a full range of requirements related to state authorization.
• Research and secure authorization to deliver instruction in locations not covered by NC-SARA, including international authorization.
• In collaboration with deans’ offices and program leaders, research and secure authorization for out-of-state field experiences, internships, and other activities not covered by NC-SARA.
• Work with deans’ offices to identify professional licensure and certification programs and ensure compliance with reporting requirements.
• In collaboration with university counsel, the Office of Compliance and Equity, and the APIRE, ensure institutional compliance with federal regulations and other relevant requirements.
• Lead and manage the university’s state-authorization-related teams.
• Represent the university in external state authorization groups, including the State Authorization Network and Virginia-SARA.

20% - Institutional Accreditation:

• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
• Partner with the APIRE in the preparation and submission of substantive change prospectuses.
• Participate in recurring SACSCOC reporting processes (e.g., decennial reaffirmation of accreditation and the fifth-year interim report) in close consultation with the APIRE, including: Contributing to the university’s Compliance Certification Report and its Quality Enhancement Plan. Engaging with the visit of the SACSCOC On-Site Reaffirmation Committee. Assisting in preparing responses to findings of noncompliance by SACSCOC.
• Partner with the Director of Institutional Effectiveness to prepare Institutional Summary reports for the SACSCOC Fifth-Year Interim Report and the decennial reaffirmation of accreditation.
• Coordinate with APIRE and other IAE staff on other SACSCOC-related tasks as directed by the APIRE.
• Actively participate in the university’s accreditation-related teams.
• With the APIRE, monitor specialized/programmatic accreditation activity and ensure engagement of the IAE office with school-based initiatives around specialized accreditation.
• Represent the university at regional accreditation events (e.g., SACSCOC Annual Meeting, Virginia Regional Accreditation Symposium).

10% - Institutional Change (IC) Management:

• Support Institutional Change Team efforts and, in the absence of the APIRE, provide leadership for the team.
• Continuously monitor curricular and other changes by representing the IC process throughout the university and maintaining strong relationships in the academic schools, faculty, and programs (e.g., A&S Educational Policy Committee, A&S Council on Graduate Studies, WM Curriculum Committee).
• Support the development, review, and revision of institutional policies and procedures to ensure compliance with SCHEV policies and procedures on academic program actions and other reportable actions, authorization to operate in locations outside Virginia (both national and international), and institutional accreditation.
• Coordinate and develop educational resource leaders across the university in the areas relating to required reporting of institutional changes (e.g., academic and organizational changes).

5% - Support colleagues in the office and supervise graduate assistants and/or interns when applicable.

Additional Job Description:

Job Profile:

JP0380 - Institutional Assessment Professional - Exempt - Salary - S15

Qualifications:

Compensation Grade:

S15

Recruiting Start Date:

2026-11-12

Position Restrictions:

Continuing E&G funded position and not term-limited

EEO is the Law. Applicants can learn more about William & Mary’s status as an equal opportunity employer by viewing the "Know Your Rights" poster published by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. https://www.eeoc.gov/know-your-rights-workplace-discrimination-illegal

Background Check: William & Mary is committed to providing a safe campus community. W&M conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

Applicant Notice: By applying for this position, you consent to William & Mary's use, review, and retention of your application materials for recruitment and employment purposes. Materials may be shared with authorized individuals participating in the hiring process and will be managed in accordance with applicable laws and university policies.

Probationary Period Notice: Individuals selected for full-time staff positions will be required to complete a twelve (12) month probationary period in accordance with university policy.

Remote Work Disclaimer: Remote work eligibility is not guaranteed and is subject to approval. Employee eligibility depends on the likelihood of the employee succeeding in a remote work arrangement and the supervisor’s ability to manage remote workers. Departments and/or Human Resources may amend, alter, change, delete, or modify eligibility.