Accreditation Specialist

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.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Project Management

• 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.

Subject Matter Expertise

• 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.

Editing and Communications

• 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.

Other Responsibilities

• 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.

Job Skills:

• 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.

Work Experience:

• 3+ years in higher education with a background in one or more of the following preferred: curriculum, policy, accreditation, regulatory, compliance, assessment.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution required; master’s degree from an accredited institution is strongly preferred.
• All degrees must be conferred from an institution accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Other:

• Must be able to travel occasionally should a business need arise. For most roles travel would not be common. Travel may involve plane, car or metro. In accordance with ADA policies, reasonable accommodations regarding travel limitations can be provided. Travel will be more common for roles such as Account Executives (25 - 50%), senior leaders (10 – 20%) or Capella Core Faculty (5 – 10%). 
• 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.
• Must be able to work more than 40 hours per week when business needs warrant. Accommodations related to schedule may be considered. 
• Able to access information using a computer.
• Other essential functions and marginal job functions are subject to modification.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

$65,000 - $68,000 is the expected starting pay for this position. This offer is based on current budgetary guidelines and the additional factors outlined below.

SEI offers a comprehensive package of benefits to employees scheduled 30 hours or more per week. In addition to medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans, SEI employees may take advantage of well-being incentives, parental leave, paid time off, certain paid holidays, tax saving accounts (FSA, HSA), 401(k) retirement benefit, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, tuition assistance as well as entertainment and retail discounts. Non-exempt employees are eligible for overtime pay, if applicable.

Careers - Our Benefits, Strategic Education, Inc

SEI is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative culture where individuals can grow their careers and contribute fully. We strive to attract talent with broad experiences, skills and perspectives. We welcome applications from all. While it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top end of the pay range at SEI, we offer a competitive salary.  The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate may vary depending on multiple factors including, but not limited to, job-related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, geographical location, and internal pay equity. Our Talent Acquisition Team is ready to discuss your interest in joining SEI. The expected salary range for this position is below.

$55,900.00 - $84,000.00 - Salary

If you require reasonable accommodations to complete our application process, please contact our Human Resources Department at Careers@strategiced.com.