Manager, State Authorization and Academic Compliance

Job Description:

Manager, State Authorization and Academic Compliance

Reports To: Vice Provost of Educational Effectiveness

Position Summary

The Manager, State Authorization & Academic Compliance serves as the University's lead coordinator for state authorization and related academic compliance activities. Reporting to the Vice Provost of Educational Effectiveness, this position is responsible for managing the institution's multi-state authorization portfolio, monitoring regulatory requirements applicable to distance education, coordinating renewal and reporting activities, maintaining compliance documentation, and supporting ongoing institutional compliance efforts.

This position offers the opportunity to play a key role in advancing Saybrook University's state authorization and academic compliance efforts. The successful candidate will support regulatory compliance, manage complex projects, and help develop and maintain effective systems for tracking and meeting compliance obligations. Exceptional writing, research, and organizational skills are essential, along with the ability to interpret regulatory requirements and communicate them clearly. Experience with state authorization, NC-SARA, accreditation, or higher education compliance is preferred.

Essential Function & Responsibilities

• Lead preparation and submission of state authorization applications, renewals, annual reports, and related filings.

• Research and monitor state regulatory requirements affecting academic programs and distance education.

• Draft regulatory narratives, reports, analyses, and responses for state agencies and institutional leadership.

• Develop and maintain compliance calendars, tracking systems, and documentation repositories.

• Support institutional readiness for state authorization, regulatory reviews, and potential NC-SARA participation.

• Assist with accreditation-related reporting, documentation, substantive change processes, and evidence collection.

• Coordinate with academic and administrative stakeholders to gather, verify, and organize information for regulatory and accreditation submissions.

• Identify emerging compliance risks and recommend practical solutions.

• Build and maintain productive relationships with state agencies, accreditors, and other external partners.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in higher education administration, academic affairs, compliance, accreditation, institutional effectiveness, regulatory affairs, governmental affairs, or a related field.

• Demonstrated experience preparing complex written reports, regulatory submissions, accreditation documentation, policy analyses, grant proposals, or similar high-stakes materials.

• Excellent written communication, editing, and analytical skills.

• Strong project management and organizational abilities, with experience managing multiple priorities and deadlines.

• Ability to interpret complex requirements and communicate them clearly to diverse audiences.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

• Comfortable working in a fully remote environment using tools such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Public Administration, Public Policy, Business Administration, Law, or a related field.

• Experience with state authorization compliance and distance education regulations.

• Familiarity with the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA).

• Experience supporting accreditation reviews, self-studies, substantive change applications, or annual reporting processes.

• Experience interacting with regulatory agencies, accreditors, licensing boards, or governmental organizations.

• Experience supporting professional licensure disclosures.

Additional Information

Saybrook University offers a generous compensation and benefits package. Some of our key benefits include: paid time-off, medical and dental coverage, company-paid life and disability insurance, retirement plan, and multiple flexible spending accounts (FSA). 

Saybrook University is an Equal Opportunity Employer that celebrates diversity and inclusion. 

About Saybrook University: 

Saybrook University was founded over 50 years ago by some of the greatest minds of the 20th century and continues to inspire a new generation of innovators. A non-profit regionally accredited university known for its commitment to humanistic studies and rigorous research, Saybrook University’s academic model puts the student at the center of everything we do to provide a unique, transformational, learning experience. Saybrook offers advanced degrees in organizational systems, psychology, mind-body medicine, and counseling, all in flexible learning formats to help students continue to be active contributors to the fields they work in while they advance their education. Saybrook University is proud to be a diverse, inclusive community of creative, compassionate innovators dedicated to pursing new ways of thinking and doing for our professions, organizations, and communities.  

For more information, visit www.saybrook.edu. 

Compensation & Benefits

https://www.saybrook.edu/about/careers/

Saybrook University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.