University Registrar

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world.

Department: Vice Provost for Academic Administration

Time Type: Full time

Job Type: Regular

FLSA Status: Exempt

Work Modality: Hybrid 02 (On Campus 2 days/Week)

Union: Excluded

Summary

The University Registrar is the University’s senior academic records and enrollment governance officer, responsible for the integrity, accuracy, security, and stewardship of the official academic record for all students and alumni. The Registrar exercises institution‑wide authority over academic policy administration, registration governance, academic standing, degree audit and degree conferral, catalog and curriculum administration, and student records management, ensuring compliance with federal regulations, accreditation requirements, and University academic policy. Reporting to the Vice Provost for Academic Administration, the Registrar provides executive leadership for the Office of the University Registrar (OUR) and serves as the institutional owner and steward of the Student Information System (Workday Student) as it relates to academic operations.

Essential Functions

1. Academic Governance and Policy Administration
   • Serves as the University’s authoritative official for academic records, registration policy, academic standing, degree audit, and degree conferral. Interprets, applies, and enforces academic policies consistently across all schools and programs. Ensures compliance with FERPA, ADA, HEA, accreditation standards, and other applicable regulations. Oversees academic catalog, curriculum, and academic calendar governance in partnership with faculty and academic leadership.
2. Student Information Systems and Data Stewardship
   • Acts as institutional owner and steward for Workday Student as it relates to academic operations. Governs registration access models, role.
3. Operational Leadership of the Office of the University Registrar
   • Provides strategic and operational leadership for all Registrar functions, including Academic Records and Degree Clearance, Catalog and Curriculum, Student Systems and Reporting, and Academic Scheduling. Directly supervises Associate Registrars and senior directors. Ensures accurate, timely, secure delivery of services. Leads continuous improvement, staff development, and succession planning.
4. Institutional Leadership and Collaboration
   • Serves as a senior advisor to the Provost’s Office on academic operations, compliance risk, and student records governance. Works closely with Deans, Associate Deans, Admissions, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Institutional Research, Information Technology, and other partners. Participates in University‑wide governance bodies and major institutional initiatives. Resolves complex, precedent‑setting academic issues.
5. External Representation and Professional Leadership
   • Represents the University in professional organizations and consortia (e.g., AACRAO). Maintains currency in best practices, regulation, and emerging technologies in academic administration. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility: Directly supervises Associate Registrars and Senior Directors and indirectly oversees professional staff across the Office of the University Registrar. Responsible for performance management, staff development, and succession planning.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: Full‑time. 35 hours per week.

Salary Range: $161,718.00 - $175,000.00 annually.

Required Education and Experience: Master's degree or equivalent. Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in academic administration at a college or university. Significant leadership experience within a Registrar’s Office or equivalent academic governance function. Demonstrated experience with student information systems (Workday Student or comparable ERP). Deep knowledge of academic records, registration, degree audit, and compliance requirements. Proven success leading complex organizational and technology change initiatives.

Preferred Education and Experience: Experience serving as University Registrar or Associate Registrar at a complex, multi‑school institution. Demonstrated leadership in major student information system implementations (Workday Student, Banner, PeopleSoft). Experience establishing/enforcing registration governance, role‑based access controls, and compliance monitoring. Demonstrated success advising senior academic leadership on academic policy, enrollment ops, and compliance risk. Experience working in a shared‑governance environment with faculty, academic leadership, and administrative partners. Active participation/leadership in professional organizations (e.g., AACRAO) and familiarity with national best practices.

Travel Required: Occasional (professional meetings and conferences).

Additional Eligibility Qualifications: Requires the highest level of discretion in handling sensitive, confidential, and protected academic and student records.