Accreditation Coordinator

Virginia Information Technologies Agency•Richmond, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Accreditation Coordinator serves as the vital link between the Virginia Department of Education and division-level success by facilitating a unified approach to state accreditation compliance, ensuring Virginia’s public schools meet the Standards of Quality and Accreditation through accountability and supportive partnerships. This leader will advance a solutions-oriented compliance model by balancing rigorous oversight with proactive support. Ultimately, this work will help ensure public education funds deliver maximum value for students and taxpayers alike. The Accreditation Coordinator will facilitate all aspects of the accreditation process, and serve as a policy expert on the SOQ and SOA for agency colleagues, leaders, the Board of Education, Legislators and others. By working across internal agency departments, the Coordinator will develop standard guidance documents and protocols for the annual accreditation process. As a solutions-oriented professional, the Coordinator supports local leaders with high-quality resources to successful manage the process, ensuring every school division has the support needed to achieve long-term capacity and excellence.

Requirements

Comprehensive knowledge of relevant laws and regulations (e.g. SOQ, SOA, ESSA, EDGAR, Uniform Guidance, state-specific codes, etc.) governing financial and operational accountability in public education.
Understanding of how school boards, superintendents, public charter boards, and state agencies interact, including legal and operational responsibilities.
Proven ability to support struggling entities through technical assistance, professional development, and effective corrective action strategies.
Ability to lead large-scale initiatives, align cross-functional teams, and design compliance systems that scale across a variety of local education agencies.
Strong analytical skills to interpret financial reports, audit findings, and performance data to inform decisions and prioritize oversight.
Skill in crafting clear, actionable policies and translating them into operational tools and supports for schools and systems.
Excellent communication skills to explain complex issues clearly to policymakers, school leaders, school business officials, and the public, and to build consensus for action.
Lead with integrity and accountability – set a tone of transparency, high expectations, and fairness in all interactions with divisions and agency staff.
Balance Oversight with Support – Apply a nuanced approach to compliance, knowing when to enforce, when to guide, and how to build local capacity without micromanaging.
Innovate within Constraints – Identify creative, cost-effective solutions to operational or compliance challenges within legal and policy frameworks.
Drive for Continuous Improvement – Relentlessly pursue higher standards of performance, using evidence and feedback to refine systems and raise the bar for schools statewide.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or higher in Public Administration (MPA), Business Administration (MBA), Education Leadership or Policy.
Prior work experience that is strongly aligned includes charter or division school business official, or finance, operational, or accreditation responsibilities in a public or charter school, or state agency.
Experience developing, influencing or consulting on education policy, particularly related to funding, compliance, or governance is preferred.
Familiarity with consulting, data analysis, dashboard development, and/or stakeholder engagement is a plus.

Responsibilities

Facilitate all aspects of the accreditation process.
Serve as a policy expert on the SOQ and SOA for agency colleagues, leaders, the Board of Education, Legislators and others.
Develop standard guidance documents and protocols for the annual accreditation process.
Support local leaders with high-quality resources to successfully manage the process, ensuring every school division has the support needed to achieve long-term capacity and excellence.
Advance a solutions-oriented compliance model by balancing rigorous oversight with proactive support.
Ensure public education funds deliver maximum value for students and taxpayers alike.