"Director for Advocacy and Engagement"

Reporting to the Chief of Staff, the Director for Advocacy and Engagement is responsible for developing a comprehensive advocacy and engagement program that aligns with the Commission’s strategic initiatives and role within the regulatory triad. The incumbent will work with the President to engage with federal and state partners and other stakeholders to advocate for Commission priorities and other issues important to higher education and the Commission’s member institutions. In addition, the incumbent will monitor federal regulations for changes in requirements and expectations for institutions and work collaboratively with the Legal and Regulatory Affairs Unit staff in regulatory engagement and government relations activities.

The Director for Advocacy and Engagement is charged with working collaboratively with Commission staff and other stakeholders to consider the impact of federal, state, and international regulatory and policy initiatives that impact accreditation policies, procedures, and guidelines and institutions of higher education.

The Director for Advocacy and Engagement will prepare reports, guidance, and informational resources for the Commission, the Executive Leadership Team and other Commission staff, institutions, and peer evaluators on all federal, state, and international regulatory and policy initiatives. The incumbent will also develop communications and communication strategies related to federal, state, and international regulations and affairs that further the Commission’s advocacy and other priorities. This position includes the development, implementation, and publication of strategic communications including news releases, e-blasts, social media content, website content, public comments on regulatory matters, and other strategic communications.

This position requires energetic and positive interactions with staff, Commissioners, member institutions, peer evaluators, and all constituents through exceptional customer service and communication skills.

This is a full-time exempt, remote teleworking position but does require some travel. This includes onsite presence at the Commission’s annual conference and travel to represent the Commission at regional, national, and international events and conferences, funding permitting.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• 50% Develop a Comprehensive Engagement and Advocacy Resource Program: Establish a resource program with critical elements for engagement and advocacy. Develop and maintain critical resource materials for timely and regular engagement and advocacy for the Commission, institutions, members of the public, and staff that are appropriately tailored to each constituent group. Propose and support educational opportunities, including the Commission’s events and podcast, that increase regulatory awareness and the Commission’s thought leadership for all constituent groups. Develop monthly advocacy alerts on a range of topics, including but not limited to political and regulatory shifts. Develop a strategy of engagement with other accreditors, higher education organizations, and other regulatory organizations. Develop and regularly update talking points and other communication strategies for the President and other Commission representatives around engagement and advocacy. Support strategic partnerships through information gathering regarding potential partnerships and engagement activities related to legal and regulatory advocacy measures. Collect and report key performance indicators as identified by unit goals and in collaboration with others to fulfill the Commission’s mission and strategic priorities. Utilize key data points and performance indicators related to communications with the other members of the regulatory triad to develop communications and strategic messaging that aligns with the mission and strategic priorities. Maintain documents and files in alignment with Maintenance and Retention of Commission Records Policy and Procedures.
• 40% Government Relations and Strategic Partnership Development: Engage in substantive analysis of federal, state, and international regulatory and policy initiatives to support the Commission’s strategic vision, including any engagement and advocacy efforts. Propose and generate new communications, advocacy initiatives, strategic partnerships, and thought leadership related to regulatory matters in jurisdictions where the Commission, its member institutions, or applicant institutions operate and that align with the Commission’s Accreditation Advocacy strategic priority. Promote communications, advocacy initiatives, strategic partnerships, thought leadership, and events related to regulatory matters through the development of news releases, e-blasts, social media content, website content, podcast content, and other strategic communications. Serve as a resource for tracking regulatory requirements related to strategic partnership grants. Engage in substantive regulatory analysis for the corporation, for advocacy efforts, as applied to institutions, and to serve the corporation’s own advocacy interests. Engage state and system partners by contributing to planning and resources for regular engagement in meetings and communications. Establish a communication strategy that includes critical engagement and advocacy efforts to ensure timely messages that encourage constituency participation at the local, federal, and state levels regarding higher education policy. Leverage emerging, new, or changing regulatory environments to develop guidance and resources for the Commission and relevant constituents. Provide connections to the Commission’s policies, procedures, and Standards for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation when developing thought leadership strategies and communications for constituents.
• 5% Legislative and Regulatory Tracking: Identify, analyze, and track legislative and regulatory proposals at the local, state, and federal levels to determine impact on institutions and the Commission. Communicate updates and impact analysis to Commission President, Executive Leadership Team, Commission, and other staff as appropriate. Develop and ensure timely submission of Commission public comments and advocacy initiatives of other accreditors and higher education organizations.
• 5% Other Duties as Assigned