Executive Director of Accessibility Resources

About Fordham

Founded in 1841, Fordham is the Jesuit University of New York, offering an exceptional education distinguished by the Jesuit tradition to more than 16,000 students in its nine colleges and schools. It has residential campuses in the Bronx and Manhattan, a campus in West Harrison, N.Y., the Louis Calder Center Biological Field Station in Armonk, N.Y., and the London Centre in the United Kingdom.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement plans; life insurance; short and long-term disability; employee assistance program (EAP); tuition remission; and generous time off.

Successful candidates should have a knowledge of and commitment to the goals of Jesuit Education.

Department

Equity, Inclusion, and Opportunity

Position Summary

Reporting to the Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, the Executive Director of Accessibility Resources serves as the University's ADA Coordinator and provides senior-level leadership for institutional compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act ADA, Section 504, and related accessibility standards. This role sets the strategic vision for accessibility across the University, with primary responsibility for advancing digital accessibility, institutional compliance, and campus-wide accessibility initiatives.

Situated within a Catholic Jesuit university committed to cura personalis and the promotion of justice, this position advances the institution's mission by fostering an environment where all members of the community can fully participate. The Executive Director partners with senior leadership, academic and administrative units, and external stakeholders to strengthen institutional systems, policies, and practices that support accessibility and inclusive design. This role focuses on institutional and programmatic strategy and does not oversee individual student or employee accommodations.

Essential Functions

• Provides strategic leadership and oversight for university-wide compliance with ADA, Section 504, and applicable federal and state regulations, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and risk management practices.
• Partners with the Office of Legal Counsel and senior leadership to interpret regulatory changes, assess institutional risk, and guide the development and implementation of policies and procedures.
• Establishes and maintains a comprehensive institutional framework for accessibility, including policies, standards, and accountability measures. Lead periodic accessibility audits and direct institutional responses to identified gaps.
• Serves as the University's senior lead for digital accessibility, setting strategy and guiding implementation in collaboration with Information Technology, Communications, Procurement, and academic units. Ensure accessibility across websites, learning platforms, and digital content.
• Provides leadership for accessibility planning for major university events, including Commencement and other high-profile gatherings, and ensures coordination of physical and programmatic accessibility across university operations.
• Collaborates with Facilities, Capital Projects, and campus partners to advance inclusive design principles in campus planning and infrastructure development.
• Designs and implements a comprehensive education and training strategy on accessibility and ADA compliance. Oversees the development of an Accessibility Advocates program to build distributed leadership and capacity across the institution.
• Serves as a liaison with city, state, and federal agencies to access rehabilitation services, information, and resources that support the university community.
• Chairs the University Accessibility Committee, convening senior and cross-functional stakeholders to advance strategic priorities. Provide regular briefings and recommendations to executive leadership and the President's Cabinet.
• Leads institutional assessment efforts by establishing metrics, preparing reports on compliance and progress, and benchmarking against peer institutions and national best practices.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education, compliance, accessibility, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Degree
• Experience leading digital accessibility strategy at an institutional level
• Familiarity with Jesuit or mission-driven higher education environments
• Experience working with institutional governance structures and executive leadership teams
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and belonging