Accreditation Specialist

Strategic Education•Minneapolis, MN

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Accreditation Specialist is responsible for managing projects and providing operational and writing support for institutional and programmatic accreditations. The Accreditation Specialist leads cross-functional project teams to produce high-quality accreditation deliverables and events (such as applications, self-studies, required reports, and site visits). The Accreditation Specialist reports to the Senior Manager of Accreditation and collaborates with other Accreditation and Assessment Specialists, faculty and academic leadership, and colleagues in academic operations. This is a hybrid position that requires both remote and onsite work at the corporate office in Minneapolis.

Requirements

3+ years in higher education with a background in one or more of the following preferred: curriculum, policy, accreditation, regulatory, compliance, assessment.
Demonstrated ability to conceptualize, plan, manage, prioritize, and complete complex concurrent projects.
Analytical and critical thinking, including the ability to understand and synthesize complex information.
Excellent written and oral communication, especially expository writing, presentation, and meeting facilitation skills.
Commitment to quality, accuracy, and attention to detail.
Self-motivated learner with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
Ability to remain professional, flexible, and composed under pressure; comfortable with adapting to new or evolving work directions.
High level of organization, including prioritizing tasks, time management, and use of IT systems.
Collaborative team player who values accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement.
Leverages technology and software tools to create and format professional documents, tables, and spreadsheets
High level of proficiency with Microsoft 365.
Must be able to travel occasionally should a business need arise.
Ability to work onsite in Corporate or Campus location (in a typical office environment) may be required based on role.
If so, this would include being mobile within the office, including movement from floor-to-floor using elevators or stairs.
If offsite or hybrid role, must have access to work in setting which enables meeting all requirements of the role (including privacy, reliable internet access, phone, ability to video conference, etc.) at a remote location.
Faculty and Federal Work Study roles require access to work in setting which enables meeting all requirements of the role (including computer, privacy, reliable internet access, phone, ability to video conference, etc.) at a remote location.
This role may require lifting, however reasonable accommodations will be provided in accordance with our ADA policies.
Must be able to meet critical thinking and problem solving aspects aligned to job duties, as well as effectively communicating with co-workers.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Nice To Haves

master’s degree from an accredited institution is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute project plans for deliverables across the accreditation lifecycle in collaboration with academic directors and accreditation staff.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date records; track key dates and accreditor deadlines.
Facilitate meetings and document and communicate critical activities and results by note-taking and providing consistent status updates to leadership that communicate risk assessment.
Plan and execute logistics for onsite and virtual visits to host external evaluators, academic leaders, faculty, and other stakeholders (i.e., creating and managing agendas and meetings; booking travel, lodging, and meals; scheduling meeting rooms; collaborating with IT; vetting stakeholder participants).
Manage and administer surveys; analyze preliminary data.
Lead annual quality assurance processes, including data reports and accreditation attestations.
Implement standardized templates, trackers, and processes, and proactively participate in collaborative process improvements.
Enter and maintain data in tracking systems; compile summary reports to support informed decision-making.
Monitor university websites for accuracy of accreditation information.
Serve as subject matter expert (SME) on accreditor/agency standards, expectations, and process, and communicate these, along with updates or changes, to academic leadership to help ensure compliance and mitigate risk.
Act as a consultant to the academic program or department during all phases of accreditation, from initial readiness through maintenance and re-accreditation.
Provide insights to academic leaders on program needs to meet and maintain compliance with external rules or standards.
Identify and compile supporting evidence, data, and other documentation to facilitate internal work sessions or reviews by an external review team.
Identify gaps between program practices and accreditor requirements and assess risk.
Draft, edit, and critically review accreditation deliverable content; interpret data; and advise academic leaders on content and/or program needs to best respond to external requirements for self-studies and reporting.
Proofread and ensure the quality and accuracy of text and data portions of accreditation deliverables.
Actively manage relationships with external agencies in collaboration with academic leaders through timely communications, conference attendance, and professional engagement.
Create and manage invitations and other communications to participants and stakeholders of work sessions and site visits.
Build and maintain positive working relationships with various internal and external stakeholders at all organizational levels.
Contribute to special projects and support continuous process improvement initiatives by participating in planning and execution activities.
Provide cross-coverage and assist team members as needed to maintain continuity of operations and workflow.
Contributes to the development and maintenance of team SharePoint sites.
Participate in relevant professional development.
Must be able to work more than 40 hours per week when business needs warrant.
Able to access information using a computer.