Associate Vice Provost, Accreditation & Compliance

If you're passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country-and you're committed to working hard to play your part in building that future-consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Job Description

This position plays a critical role in ensuring compliance with accreditation standards, maintaining institutional accreditation, and driving innovation in quality assurance to support WGU's mission of advancing student success. As a fully online, competency-based university, WGU focuses on providing accessible, affordable, and high-quality education to students of all backgrounds. Coordinates accreditation activities, prepares required reports, and facilitates communication between internal stakeholders and accrediting agencies. This role oversees the compliance of each school, each ancillary corporation, and the university's ability to operate, including obtaining state approvals, programmatic accreditation, and ensuring students' and graduates' abilities to obtain jurisdiction-specific professional licenses and certifications. This role ensures that accreditation practices meet regulatory requirements and align with WGU's forward-thinking approach to the future of education, including integrating work-based learning to enhance student outcomes and career readiness.

This role is a future-focused leader who leverages innovation, data, and industry trends to continuously improve accreditation processes. This ensures that WGU's unique education model-focused on competency-based learning and real-world, work-based integration-drives student success and workforce preparedness. Through strategic influence, thought leadership, and collaboration, ensures that WGU is equipped to shape the future of education while maintaining the highest standards of quality and accreditation compliance.

• Strategic Leadership in Accreditation & Regulatory Affairs: Ensure that WGU complies with all accreditation standards and policies and serve as the primary liaison between WGU and accrediting bodies. Spearhead strategic relationships with institutional and programmatic accreditors, state boards, and other regulatory bodies. Maintain regular communication between WGU and accrediting bodies to ensure all accreditation requirements are met.
• Institutional Reporting, Documentation, & Governance: Oversee the preparation and submission of all reports, documentation, and materials required by accrediting agencies, including annual reports and accreditation renewal applications. Manage WGU's accreditation and regulatory calendar, ensuring timely compliance and alignment with external expectations. Ensure that WGU's innovative practices and student outcomes, especially in work-based learning, are reflected in submissions.
• Accreditation & Compliance Reviews: Coordinate and oversee accreditation site visits, peer reviews, evaluations, and regulatory audits. Ensure that WGU is fully prepared to demonstrate compliance with accreditation standards and regulatory requirements. Conduct regular strategic reviews to validate compliance.
• Future of Education Focus & Regulatory Intelligence: Collaborate with academic leadership to align WGU's accreditation and regulatory practices with future educational trends, ensuring the institution remains adaptive, future-ready, and positioned as a leader in innovative higher education. Maintain a high level of awareness of national, state, and professional regulatory changes, translating insights into actionable strategies for compliance.
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation: Drive innovation in accreditation and regulatory practices using data, technology, and workforce insights. Lead initiatives that reduce regulatory burdens while enhancing compliance and trust with accrediting bodies. Ensure that accreditation and regulatory standards support WGU's commitment to continuous improvement.
• Internal Coordination, Support, & Risk Management Advisory: Work closely with institutional leaders, faculty, and staff across WGU to embed accreditation and regulatory expectations into operations, curriculum design, and student success initiatives. Provide executive-level policy and risk management guidance, ensuring compliance considerations are integrated into strategic decision-making.
• Change Management & Proactive Threat Management: Monitor accreditation and regulatory standards changes. Develop proactive strategies to address regulatory shifts, mitigate risks, and leverage opportunities.
• Data Collection & Analysis: Leverage data analytics to oversee the collection, organization, and analysis of accreditation and regulatory compliance data.
• Communication: Provide ongoing training and updates to faculty, staff, and administrators on accreditation and regulatory matters. Communicate accreditation and regulatory trends and expectations clearly to stakeholders.
• Expansion of Regulatory Authority: Champion the expansion of WGU's accreditation and regulatory footprint, securing approvals for new programs, levels, and states to align with academic and university goals.
• Leadership of Compliance Teams: Provide visionary leadership to school-specific and functional compliance teams, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. Oversee recruitment, development, and performance management of compliance staff to ensure alignment with WGU's accreditation and regulatory objectives.
• Institutional Representation & Influence: Represent WGU in accreditation-related matters, including virtual accreditation conferences, meetings, and webinars. Serve as a recognized thought leader on accreditation practices in online, competency-based, and work-based education, contributing to broader discussions on the future of higher education and workforce alignment.

• Strategic Leadership: Ability to create and execute a vision aligning accreditation and regulatory compliance with the institution's mission and goals. Skill in leading cross-functional initiatives and managing complex relationships with accrediting bodies and regulatory agencies.
• Regulatory & Compliance Expertise: Deep understanding of accreditation standards, regulatory policies, and higher education compliance frameworks, particularly in online and competency-based education. Familiarity with requirements from institutional and programmatic accreditors, state education boards, and other regulatory bodies relevant to WGU.
• Project & Process Management: Strong project management skills to oversee accreditation reviews, reporting deadlines, and compliance processes. Ability to design, implement, and manage compliance frameworks, ensuring adherence to timelines and efficient resource allocation.
• Analytical Skills & Data-Driven Decision-Making: Proficiency in data analytics to collect, interpret, and leverage data for continuous improvement and regulatory compliance. Ability to use insights from data to enhance compliance practices, drive innovation, and support student success outcomes.
• Accreditation Report Development & Documentation: Proficient in creating clear, data-driven accreditation reports that align with regulatory standards and effectively showcase WGU's achievements and commitment to student success. Skilled in synthesizing complex data and coordinating cross-departmental contributions to ensure timely, accurate, and mission-aligned submissions.
• Change Management: Expertise in leading change initiatives, adapting practices to meet evolving accreditation standards, and guiding the institution through regulatory updates. Strong capability to influence leadership and stakeholders, ensuring smooth adoption of new policies and proactive compliance adjustments.
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement: Strong interpersonal and communication skills for building partnerships with internal departments, academic leaders, and external accrediting bodies. Ability to work cross-departmentally and align accreditation and regulatory efforts with broader institutional goals, particularly in program design, student success, and work-based learning.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Creative and forward-thinking approach to enhance compliance practices and reduce regulatory burdens through technological innovation. Ability to apply best practices and novel strategies to keep WGU at the forefront of accreditation and regulatory compliance.
• Thought Leadership & Influence: Strong public speaking and presentation skills to represent WGU in accreditation forums, conferences, and stakeholder meetings. Recognized authority on accreditation and regulatory practices with the ability to shape discussions on the future of higher education and regulatory trends.
• Risk Management & Problem Solving: Ability to identify potential accreditation and regulatory compliance risks and develop mitigation strategies. Proficiency in problem-solving to address complex regulatory challenges and implement solutions that ensure compliance while supporting institutional innovation.
• Communication & Training: Ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into clear, actionable guidance for faculty, staff, and administrators. Experience developing and delivering training on accreditation and compliance standards, ensuring stakeholders understand their roles and responsibilities.
• Attention to Detail & Organizational Skills: Meticulous attention to detail for managing documentation, submitting reports, and ensuring accuracy in compliance-related activities. Strong organizational skills to manage multiple regulatory requirements, deadlines, and review processes simultaneously.
• Adaptability & Agility: Flexibility to adapt to changing accreditation standards, regulatory expectations, and emerging trends in education. Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment, balancing multiple priorities and responding quickly to new developments.
• Technology & Data Management Proficiency: Familiarity with digital tools and platforms used in higher education for data collection, reporting, and compliance monitoring. Proficiency in using technology to streamline accreditation processes, manage compliance data, and enhance data transparency across the institution.
• Ethical Judgment and Integrity: Unwavering commitment to ethical practices and the highest standards of integrity. Ability to make decisions that reflect the organization's values and uphold its reputation in the regulatory community.

• Master's degree in a related field
• Five (5) years of experience in a highly regulated environment (higher education regulation preferred).
• Success in managing the pursuit of initial and reaffirmation of university-level accreditation from an accreditor regulated by the United States Department of Education.

• Success in managing the pursuit of initial or reaffirmation of accreditation from a programmatic regulator that approves a program offered by one of the schools.
• Success in managing the pursuit of initial or reaffirmation of university-level approval from a state-based regulator.
• Success in managing the pursuit of initial or reaffirmation of approval from a state-based regulator that approves a program offered by one of the schools.

• Travel will occur up to 60% of the time with some seasonality.
• Work on nights and weekends may be necessary to complete the tasks of this position.
• Prolonged periods on videoconferencing or telephone calls.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Position & Application Details

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It's not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.