Senior Vice President

The Senior Vice President (SVP) reports to the Executive Vice President of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and is responsible for supporting the academic accreditation process by developing, coordinating, and executing NWCCU’s engagement with its member institutions.

In coordination with the NWCCU staff, the Senior Vice President will support NWCCU accreditation processes, including but not limited to: eligibility for accreditation; reaffirmation of accreditation; initial candidacy reviews; review of substantive change proposals; evaluation of Annual, Mid-Cycle, Policies, Regulations, and Financial Review, and Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness Reports. Accreditation activities include institutional training; training, preparation, and support of peer evaluation teams undertaking institutional visits; and institutional evaluation processes. The SVP will support NWCCU Commission meetings and participate in other relevant meetings and conferences to offer knowledgeable insights into accreditation decisions and broader issues affecting higher education.

Key Responsibilities

The SVP role requires comprehensive knowledge of United States Department of Higher Education (USDE) regulations pertaining to accreditation, institutional accreditation processes, higher education programs, use of data and data systems, approaches to promoting student success, student learning assessment, and development, deployment, and evaluation of academic programs.

Exceptional interpersonal skills are essential for effective communication and collaboration with administrators, faculty, staff, and students of member institutions, and NWCCU staff and commissioners.

Specifically, the SVP will:

• Support NWCCU member institutions in their accreditation activities, including reports, visits, and adherence to NWCCU policies and USDE regulations;
• Serve as a representative of NWCCU working in alignment with the mission and vision of the agency;
• Analyze and summarize Annual, Mid-Cycle, Policies, Regulations, and Financial Review (PRFR), and Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness (EIE) reports and the underlying data and evidence, particularly as it relates to student outcomes;
• Facilitate the development and implementation of evidence-based educational strategies to bolster student success;
• Support coordination of educational training initiatives focused on accreditation, such as assessment of student learning and institutional effectiveness;
• Respond promptly to accreditation inquiries from regulatory bodies and member institutions, providing necessary assistance and guidance;
• Collaborate with member institutions in preparing accreditation applications;
• Assist NWCCU staff in reviewing and drafting action letters and summaries that arise from Commission meetings;
• Analyze and respond to complaints regarding member institutions;
• Travel to member institutions during the Fall and Spring visit seasons and attend other Commission meetings and events as needed;
• In collaboration with peer evaluation teams, provide necessary documentation and support for commissioners reviewing accreditation materials; and
• Fulfill other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate for this position must demonstrate a results-driven approach with experience in higher education leadership, accreditation processes, data analysis, and the implementation of strategic initiatives. The SVP is expected to work proactively in alignment with NWCCU’s mission and vision to facilitate effective accreditation processes with the Commission and member institutions. Strong analytical capabilities, self-motivation, attention to detail, and the ability to work autonomously and with a team are paramount. Additionally, the candidate should exhibit adaptability to cater to the diverse needs of NWCCU’s constituencies. Desired attributes include diplomacy, decisiveness, flexibility, political astuteness, integrity, and ethical conduct.

Required Qualifications include:

• Doctoral degree in any discipline from an accredited institution;
• Five to ten years of experience at senior administrative or senior faculty level in higher education;
• Experience with institutional accreditation processes and standards;
• Demonstrated leadership skills with a track record of working with and motivating high functioning teams;
• Excellent analytic, organizational, and communication skills;
• Demonstrable experience with data handling and analytical systems in the context of higher education; and
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with institutional and other stakeholders.

Desirable Skills include:

• Experience as an accreditation liaison officer;
• Experience as a peer evaluator for institutional or programmatic accreditation;
• Experience promoting student success using data- and evidence-informed approaches;
• Competence in developing and implementing student learning outcomes and assessment processes;
• Experience with policy review and development;
• Strong time management and multitasking ability;
• Proficiency in project and people management; and
• Proficiency in priority setting and meeting deadlines.

Term

Permanent, 12-month position

Salary and Benefits

Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience, ranging from $200,000 to $230,000 per year. Benefits include TIAA retirement plan, health insurance, long-term disability, annual vacation, and sickness/wellness leave.

Reports to

NWCCU Executive Vice President

Start Date

September 15, 2025, or as soon thereafter as possible