Director, WICHE State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement
Company: WICHE
Location: Boulder
Posted on: May 6, 2022
Job Description:
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Director, WICHE State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement Exempt
Professional Boulder, CO, US 22 days ago Requisition ID: 1068
Position Title: Director, WICHE State Authorization Reciprocity
Agreement (W-SARA)Classification: -Full Time - ExemptSalary:
$90,000 - $105,000 Annually depending on experiencePosition
available: Immediately - Please apply with resume AND cover
letter.Location: This position is intended to operate from WICHE's
Boulder, Colorado office, however, with the right candidate, a
remote, out-of-state location may be possible. In such cases, the
director will need to travel to Boulder on a regular basis for
face-to-face meetings.The PositionWICHE is seeking a proactive,
collaborative leader with extensive experience in relationship
building, project management, and demonstrated skill in navigating
complex policy environments to manage the implementation and
oversight of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)
for the WICHE region. The W-SARA Director plays a pivotal role in
the implementation and evolution of the dynamic policy area of
interstate postsecondary distance education regulation. In close
collaboration with state, regional, and national stakeholders, the
director will support WICHE's mission of expanding access to and
the excellence of higher education through their effective
stewardship of the reciprocity agreement in the Western
region.Under the supervision of the Vice President of Policy,
Analysis and Research, the Director supervises a project manager
and several consultants, and will have the following
responsibilities:State Support
- Staff W-SARA's Regional Steering Committee (RSC)-an advisory
council of SARA practitioners and distance education experts
representing Western states-through the planning and facilitation
of regular virtual meetings, periodic in-person events,
communications, and other support (for example, committee member
appointments, new member orientation, etc.) as needed. -
- Provide technical assistance to W-SARA state members in the
implementation of the reciprocity agreement, including: advising on
legislative, regulatory, and structural considerations;
consultation on SARA-related policy and practice issues; and
assisting in the onboarding of new SARA-related staff.
- Oversee the biannual state SARA membership renewal process,
from state application to staff evaluation to RSC consideration
through WICHE Commission approval.
- Routinely liaise with partner organizations-the Midwestern,
Northern, and Southern regional education compacts which oversee
reciprocity in their regions and the National Council for State
Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) the nonprofit
organization which coordinates SARA nationally-to ensure
coordinated implementation of reciprocity.
- Build and maintain relationships across diverse stakeholder
groups with differing perspectives.
- Serve as an expert resource on matters pertaining to state
authorization reciprocity for institutions, states, policymakers,
and WICHE's leadership.
- Represent W-SARA at meetings, conferences, and forums,
including WICHE Commission meetings and NC-SARA Board
meetings.
- Respond to constituent inquiries, such as those from
institutions, states, partner organizations, WICHE Commissioners,
and other stakeholders.
- Collaborate with WICHE's communications staff to ensure
effective representation of state authorization, WICHE's role, and
other relevant policy issues to key stakeholders.Policy Analysis &
Research
- Offer guidance on SARA-related policy questions, both in regard
to current policy and the impact of potential policy changes across
varied state contexts.
- Maintain a working knowledge of relevant state and federal
regulations and policies.
- In collaboration with WICHE leadership, W-SARA staff, state
partners, and other stakeholders, develop strong strategic
responses to changes in the state authorization
landscape.Operations & Management
- Develop strategic vision and direction for W-SARA.
- Hire, supervise, and evaluate the performance of W-SARA staff
and consultants.
- Prepare and administer the W-SARA budget.
- Collect and prepare relevant data for W-SARA.Position
Specifications:Required:1. Master's degree in a relevant field with
at least eight years recent experience in a similar position, or
equivalent level of total professional experience.2. Proven ability
to establish and maintain effective, cooperative, and cordial
internal and external working relationships.3. Excellent
communications skills, both written and oral, with the ability to
speak to and write clearly for policy audiences such as
legislators, governors' staff, and state agency officials.4.
Demonstrated project management skills, including ability to work
in a self-directed and highly organized manner; exceptional
attention to detail; the ability to juggle competing priorities and
meet tight deadlines; and knowledge of budgeting principles and
practices.5. Familiarity with higher education operations,
governance, and the regulatory environment at the national,
institutional, state, and local levels.6. Experience with planning
and conducting effective workshops, conferences, or other forums,
including collaborating with consultants and others to develop
engaging and informative programming.7. Demonstrated ability to
maintain appropriate confidentiality with materials and
information.8. Willingness to learn and acquire additional skills
and responsibilities as necessary.Preferred:1. Doctorate or other
terminal degree in a field appropriate to the role, such as law,
political science, higher education, public policy, sociology, or
economics.2. Experience in developing, maintaining, and
strengthening successful stakeholder networks.3. Understanding of
postsecondary distance education landscape.4. Knowledge of
institutional accreditation, program approval, and professional
licensure processes.Travel: Significant travel is required with an
estimate of 12-24 trips per year.About Policy Analysis and
ResearchWICHE's Policy Analysis and Research unit offers various
resources to support better-informed decision-making, principally
at the state level. Topics for its numerous research projects and
collaborations include postsecondary completion, closing attainment
gaps, adult learners, and multistate data-sharing to support
educational planning and workforce development. The unit's staff
members serve as subject-matter experts on higher education issues
including finance, state and federal financial aid, articulation
and transfer, strategic planning, and student demographics.
Publications, including the WICHE Insights series, explore a range
of significant policy issues. Unit staff members undertake
long-term grant-funded projects, collaborate with regional and
national partners, and provide short-term technical assistance to
WICHE members.About WICHEWICHE (Western Interstate Commission for
Higher Education) and its 16 member states and territories work
collaboratively to expand educational access and excellence for all
residents of the West. By promoting innovation, cooperation,
resource-sharing, and sound public policy among its members and
their institutions, WICHE strengthens higher education's
contributions to the region's social, economic, cultural, and civic
life. WICHE's student access programs, policy analysis and research
services, cooperative for educational technologies (WCET), and
behavioral health unit work to find answers to the most critical
questions facing higher education in the West today and tomorrow.
For more information, please visit www.wiche.edu .WICHE offers a
competitive benefits package which includes medical insurance with
generous employer contribution to health savings account (H.S.A.),
dental, life, and disability insurance; flexible spending accounts
(medical and dependent care); 403(b)retirement plan with employer
match of 200% on employee contributions up to 5% after six full
months of employment; and vacation accrual of four weeks per year,
sick leave, paid holidays, and personal leave time.WICHE is an
equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a strong
commitment to diversity and inclusion. We prohibit discrimination
on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin,
sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability,
veteran status, marital status, or any other legally-protected
status. Applications by members of all underrepresented groups are
encouraged
Keywords: WICHE, Boulder , Director, WICHE State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement, Executive , Boulder, Colorado
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