Vice President for Regulatory Affairs, Accreditation, and Compliance

Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences•Draper, UT

2d•Remote

About The Position

The Vice President for Regulatory Affairs, Accreditation, and Compliance serves as Joyce University’s Chief Accreditation and Regulatory Officer, providing strategic leadership and oversight for all institutional and programmatic accreditation, regulatory compliance, licensure, approvals, and external reporting. This role ensures alignment with accrediting bodies (NWCCU, CCNE, ACEN), state boards of nursing, higher education regulatory agencies across all states of operation, and federal requirements including DOE, Title IV, consumer information, and NC-SARA. The Vice President collaborates closely with Academic Affairs, Institutional Research and Effectiveness, legal counsel, Enrollment Management, Financial Aid, Finance, and Marketing to ensure coordinated, timely, and accurate compliance efforts that support institutional excellence and program growth.

Requirements

Master’s degree in a relevant field
Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in accreditation and regulatory affairs within higher education, preferably in nursing or health sciences
Deep knowledge of federal and state regulations, professional licensing boards, and accreditation standards such as NWCCU, CCNE, and ACEN
Demonstrated success leading large-scale accreditation and regulatory initiatives
Strong analytical, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills
Excellent executive-level communication, relationship-building, and presentation skills

Nice To Haves

Doctorate (PhD, EdD, DNP, JD, or related)
Experience supporting multi-state operations, online or distance education compliance, and programmatic growth in healthcare education
Expertise in interpreting and applying complex regulatory and accreditation frameworks
High proficiency with technology systems including LMS, SIS, CRM, Power BI, and document management tools
Ability to lead with sound judgment, discretion, and confidence in high-stakes regulatory environments
Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously
Strong attention to detail and commitment to institutional integrity, accuracy, and quality
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and comfort learning new systems and platforms
Demonstrated service mindset and ability to build trust and rapport across diverse stakeholders

Responsibilities

Accreditation Leadership
Co-lead the full accreditation lifecycle, including reaffirmation, interim reporting, substantive change submissions, site visit preparation, and continuous improvement processes
Ensure accreditation standards are accurately reflected in institutional policies, syllabi, catalogs, and assessment systems
Coordinate accreditation readiness across Academic Affairs, Deans, Assessment and QA leadership, Registrar, and Institutional Effectiveness
Serve as the primary institutional contact for accrediting bodies and site reviewers
Regulatory Compliance and Authorizations
Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and professional regulatory requirements, including Title IV, DOE, NC-SARA, state authorizations, and multi-state Boards of Nursing
Oversee initial and renewal approvals for state operations, professional licensure pathways, and clinical authorizations
Monitor regulatory changes and guide institutional response, policy updates, and implementation plans
Oversee public disclosures including gainful employment, consumer information, licensure disclosures, and publication accuracy
Coordinate with external regulatory counsel to mitigate risk and ensure aligned compliance strategies
Support Title IV compliance efforts including program eligibility, E-App submissions, PPA renewals, audits, and R2T4 alignment
Ensure accuracy and consistency of federally required disclosures across departments
Policy Development, Quality Assurance, and Internal Controls
Lead the development, review, and implementation of institutional compliance policies and standard operating procedures
Oversee internal auditing systems and controls related to accreditation, regulatory requirements, academic operations, and public-facing materials
Partner with Institutional Effectiveness and Research to ensure validated data reporting, indicator tracking, and evidence portfolios
Provide training and guidance to academic and operational leaders on accreditation and compliance expectations
Reporting and Documentation
Direct the preparation and submission of federal, state, and accrediting body reports, including annual reports, institutional updates, and programmatic submissions
Maintain a centralized, secure digital repository for all accreditation, licensure, and regulatory documentation
Communicate compliance milestones, risks, and updates to the President, Provost, Cabinet, Deans Council, and Board of Trustees committees
Strategic Leadership and Institutional Alignment
Advise the President, Provost, and Cabinet on accreditation strategy, regulatory risk, and readiness for new programs and multi-state expansion
Collaborate with academic and operational leaders to ensure institutional processes align with regulatory expectations
Represent Joyce University at state, regional, and national regulatory meetings and accrediting conferences
Lead institutional response strategies to regulatory findings, accreditation recommendations, or compliance risks
Supervisory Responsibilities
Lead and develop the Office of Regulatory Affairs, Accreditation, and Compliance
Functionally coordinate with Institutional Effectiveness, Registrar, Academic Affairs, and external counsel to ensure alignment and consistency