The Education Secretariat is committed to equity and valuing the unique and diverse characteristics and experiences of every member of its workforce. We encourage an authentic workplace where colleagues show up as their full selves, where collaboration, innovation, and connections are key to realizing our mission that all children, youth, and families thrive socially, academically, and economically. We seek teammates who are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive work environment, where everyone is valued and engaged. We encourage you to apply and identify your strengths in these areas. The Massachusetts Public Higher Education System The Massachusetts System of Public Higher Education ("System") enrolls approximately 260,000 students in credit-bearing programs annually. The System consists of 15 community colleges, 9 state universities, and 5 University of Massachusetts ("UMass") campuses. The Board of Higher Education (BHE) has coordination and oversight responsibilities for the entire System, and the BHE, together with each respective Board of Trustees, expects all students, faculty, and staff to be held to exacting standards in the performance of their roles and responsibilities. The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education ("Board" or "BHE") is the Commonwealth's higher education authority with coordinating and regulatory responsibility for all public and private higher education institutions operating in the Commonwealth that are authorized to grant degrees. The BHE is staffed by the Department of Higher Education (DHE), which is run by aCommissionerwho serves as the executive and administrative head of the department. Together, the BHE and DHE are the leading voice and advocate for postsecondary education in the Commonwealth. In addition, the BHE and DHE's authority includes administering state financial aid and federal grant programs; managing and responding to consumer complaints; conducting financial assessments of institutions; managing employee relations and benefits for public higher education employees; managing collective bargaining contracts with state university and community colleges employees; and approving degree-granting authority for all public and most private higher education institutions operating within the Commonwealth. Currently, there are 80 private institutions of higher education operating in the Commonwealth and authorized to grant degrees. The BHE is staffed by its executive agency, the Department of Higher Education (DHE), which is run by Commissioner Ortega. The Department of Higher Education is committed to theValuesof Equity, Accountability, Community, Empowerment, Intentionality, and Teamwork, and seeks applicants who value the full diversity of Massachusetts students and who share a sensitivity to and understanding of the academic, socio-economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of the populations served. We employ a hybrid hoteling work model with a fixed weekly team day schedule. Position Overview The BHE is the Commonwealth's state higher education authority with regulatory authority, in varying degrees, over all twenty-nine (29) public and eighty (80) independent institutions of higher education (IHEs) located in the Commonwealth and authorized to grant degrees. Working through DHE staff, the BHE is responsible for, among other things, the degree-granting program approval process in the Commonwealth to ensure that prospective students and other interested parties are assured that authorized institutions and the programs they offer meet minimal levels of quality and provide appropriate learning environments for all students. In addition, the BHE is required by statute and regulation to annually assess the financial information of independent institutions of higher education for the purpose of identifying and monitoring institutions at risk of imminent closure, and mitigating the impacts of closures on students, their families, faculty, staff, and the community. Reporting to the Senior Associate Commissioner of Regulatory and Veterans Affairs, the Associate Director will work in the key areas of program approval, consumer protection, and regulatory affairs. The Associate Director will also work closely with members of the Academic Affairs and Student Success divisional leadership team to advance BHE strategic priorities. Responsibilities/Essential Job Functions Degree and Program Approval Facilitate academic program quality through the review of new degree proposals made byinstitutions of higher education ("IHEs") institutions of higher education ("IHE") in the public, independent, and out-of-state sectors, including working with Board staff, chief academic officers and faculty to facilitate proposal preparation, assessing applications for new programs, developing Visiting (external review) Committees, communicating with institutions and Visiting Committees, and preparing summary reports and motions for the Board. Manage administrative aspects of the review process, including but not limited to institutional invoicing and payment; Visiting Committee assembly, charging, and member invoicing; virtual and physical site visit arrangements; facilitating Visiting Committee reports, institutional response, and Board motions and supporting documents; and ensuring issuance of staff final recommendations regarding approval. Post public notices for IHEs proposing to grant degrees in Massachusetts, including proposals from new institutions of higher education seeking initial degree-granting authority; existing IHEs seeking to add new degrees; IHEs seeking to change their name; and administrative revocations of the degree-granting authority of IHEs authorized to grant degrees in Massachusetts but no longer doing so. Consumer Protection As directed, participate in managing workflow and communications with institutions engaged in contingency planning under the Board's Financial Assessment and Risk Monitoring (FARM) regulations. Attend regular departmental FARM meetings. Organize Academic Affairs follow-up items emanating from those meetings. Participate in the Department's cross-divisional interdisciplinary Financial Risk Assessment and Monitoring (FARM) team. Other participants include staff from the department's financial, academic affairs, legal, and financial aid teams who work in related areas to achieve the goals of the FARM initiative. The Associate Director will help to coordinate this cross-divisionalwork, andwill assist the Deputy Commissioner for Administration, Finance and Operations, and to the Chief Legal Counsel, as needed, to fulfill the Department's related statutory and regulatory responsibilities. As directed, review Notices of Closure for adherence to regulatory requirements and any specific department-generated actions or requirements. Participate in investigations and in implementing outcomes from investigations related to the Board's regulations at 610 CMR 2.00. Regulatory Affairs Set up procedures for monitoring, reporting, and correspondence on matters the division is responsible for, such as contingency closure planning and post- new institution approval annual or other reporting. Answer queries from out-of-state institutions seeking information about program approval for online and hybrid programs available to Massachusetts residents. Assist in responding to general inquiries to the department that fall into the area(s) of program approval and regulatory affairs. Prepare/update and manage workflow for authority letters requested by approved IHEs. Prepare and send follow-up reminders to for-profit institutions on annual reporting requirements and track institutional compliance. Competencies/Skills and Abilities Demonstrated ability to understand and apply complex regulations and interpret them in unique or novel @contexts. Demonstrated ability to draft and edit reports, correspondence, and analytical memoranda in an organized, clearly presented style with attention to detail. Note: Finalists may be asked to present one or more professional writing samples. Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly with a variety of constituents and stakeholders. Prior experience in regulatory affairs, higher education administration, accreditation, or compliance, or a combination. Ability to plan, organize, and track work using core project-management principles, including defining scope, milestones, and deliverables aligned with agency priorities. Demonstrated skill in managing tasks and timelines in a structured, transparent way, with comfort coordinating across teams to keep projects on track. Familiarity with common project-management tools and digital work platforms (e.g., Asana, Trello, Smartsheet, MS365 tools) and the ability to adopt new tools as needed. Aspires to lead by and practice the_DHE Values and Behaviors_and commits to embodying them through continued learning and personal growth. Experience working with diverse teams and leveraging their unique perspectives to achieve positive outcomes. Demonstrated experience in creating an inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued. Promotes a collaborative workplace climate. _Preferred Qualifications_ Higher education campus-based experience in regulatory affairs, higher education administration, accreditation, or compliance, or a combination. Experience in committee, task force, or similar work requiring a high degree of independent, proactive organization and follow-up. _Reporting and Location_ One Ashburton Place, Boston, Massachusetts. In-state hybrid work, with a minimum of one in-person day each week. Some in-state travel To Apply: Interested candidates should submit the following with their application: Resume Cover letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in the position /Questions regarding this position should be directed to //Taina.Noelsaint@mass.gov// / MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least one (1) year must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below. Substitutions: I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience. II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience. III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience. IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience. Comprehensive Benefits When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future. Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards! Salary placement is determined by years of experience and education directly related to the position and the Human Resources Division's Recruiting Guidelines. An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role. Job: Education Organization: Department of Higher Education Title: Associate Director of Academic and Regulatory Affairs Location: Massachusetts-Boston-1 Ashburton Place Requisition ID: 2600009R
