Accreditation Specialist

The Accreditation Specialist is responsible for providing leadership and operational support for timely and effective execution of projects related to maintaining specialized/programmatic accreditations. The Accreditation Specialist works with collaborative cross-functional project teams to produce high-quality accreditation deliverables and events (including, but not limited to, accreditation applications, self-studies, and site visits, as well as annual, interim, and substantive change reporting). This role works closely with team members from Academic Quality and Effectiveness, faculty and academic leadership, and functional experts to support accreditation and related efforts. This position reports to the Supervisor, Specialized Accreditation.This is primarily a remote position that requires limited availability at the corporate office in Minneapolis.Project ManagementCollaborate with academic owners, institutional leadership, and other accreditation staff to develop and execute project plans for written deliverables and data reports across the accreditation life-cycle, including applications, self-studies, appendices/evidence, addenda, and annual/interim/substantive change reports.Enable transparency of activities and results by leading accreditation meetings, maintaining relevant documentation, and providing consistent status updates, including risk assessment.Manage and execute logistics for work sessions and site visits to successfully host external evaluators, academic owners/faculty, and internal participants and stakeholders. This includes managing agendas and meetings; booking travel, lodging, and meals; scheduling meeting rooms; and facilitating IT access.Identify and compile supporting resources/documentation to facilitate internal work sessions or reviews by an external review team.Content Management and AnalysisRead and understand external rules, policies, and standards for the purpose of collaboration with academic leadership on ongoing audits of academic programs to ensure compliance.Provide insights to academic SMEs and leaders on program needs to meet and maintain compliance with external rules or standards.Conduct critical reading of accreditation deliverable content, interpret data, and advise academic SMEs and leaders on content and/or program needs to best respond to external requirements for self-studies and reporting. Communications/Relationship ManagementAct as accreditation subject matter expert (SME) on accreditation projects, serving as a central expert on the accreditor/agency/board, its expectations and process, and the program's fulfillment of the accreditor's expectations.Act as consultant to department and institutional leadership during all phases of accreditation, approval, and recognition initiatives from initial readiness through maintenance and re-accreditation.In collaboration with academic leaders, actively manage relationship with external agencies and primary contacts via timely and appropriate communications, conference attendance, service to the profession, and engagement.Create and manage responses to communications and orientations for all participants and stakeholders of work sessions and site visits.Job RequirementsDemonstrated ability to conceptualize, plan, manage, prioritize, and complete complex concurrent projects.Strong critical thinking and analysis skills.Ability to understand and synthesize complex information. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Strong presentation skills. Strong accuracy and attention to detail.Ability to effectively communicate, both up and down the organizational hierarchy.Ability to effectively respond to stressful or ambiguous situations.MS Office proficiency, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, with ability to create and format professional documents, tables, and spreadsheets.Work Experience1-3 years in higher education with background in one or more of the following: curriculum, policy, accreditation, legal/regulatory, compliance, and/or assessment.EducationBachelor's degree from an accredited institution required; master's degree from an accredited institution strongly preferred.OtherMust be able to travel less than 10% of time.Must be able to lift 20 lbs.Typical office setting.Mobility within the office including movement from floor to floor.Travel via plane, car, and metro may be required to perform this job.Must be able to work more than 40 hours per week when business needs warrant.Access information using a computer.Regular, dependable attendance and punctuality are essential functions of this job.Other essential functions and marginal job functions are subject to modification.If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete our application process, please contact our Human Resources Department at .