Senior Director, Educator Preparation

Title: Senior Director, Educator Preparation

Employee Classification: Sr Program Director

Campus: University of North Texas

Division: UNT-Provost

Sub Division-Department: UNT-College of Education

Department: UNT-Education-Ed Prep-132230

Job Location: Denton

Salary: Commensurate with experience

FTE: 1.000000

Retirement Eligibility: TRS Eligible

Welcome to the University of North Texas System. The UNT System includes the University of North Texas in Denton and Frisco, the University of North Texas at Dallas and UNT Dallas College of Law, and University of North Texas Health Fort Worth. We are the only university system based exclusively in the robust Dallas-Fort Worth region. We are growing with the North Texas region, employing more than 14,000 employees, educating a record 49,000+ students across our system, and awarding nearly 12,000 degrees each year.

We are one team comprised of individuals who are committed to excellence, curiosity and innovation. We are transforming lives and creating economic opportunity through education. We champion a people-first values-based culture where We Care about each other and those we serve. We believe that we are Better Together because we foster an environment of respect, belonging, and access for all. We demonstrate Courageous Integrity through setting exceptional standards and acting in the best interest of our communities.

We are encouraged to Be Curious about opportunities for learning, creating, discovering, and innovating, and are encouraged to learn from failure. Show Your Fire by joining our team and exhibiting your passion and pride in your work as part of our UNT System team.

Learn more about the UNT System and how we live our values System.edu.

The Department of Teacher Education and Administration seeks to improve educational practice through the generation of knowledge and to prepare education professionals who serve all students. It focuses on the preparation of EC-6 secondary educators and school administrators who employ current theory and research.

The Senior Director of Educator Preparation serves as the chief operational and strategic leader of the University of North Texas Educator Preparation Office (EPO). This role is responsible for ensuring program excellence, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency across all educator preparation pathways.

The Senior Director provides end-to-end leadership across clinical practice, certification and accountability, and student success, ensuring alignment with university priorities and full compliance with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC). The position acts as the primary institutional authority for EPO operations, data reporting, and state accountability.

This role is both strategic and execution-focused, driving continuous improvement, strengthening PK-12 partnerships, and ensuring candidates are prepared, supported, and successful from admission through certification and employment. Additional responsibilities include managing departmental resources, advising college leadership on regulatory and programmatic initiatives, and leading strategic projects that support the mission and growth of the college's educator preparation programs.

This role reports directly to the Chair of the Department of Teacher Education & Administration, with a dotted-line reporting relationship to the Dean of the College of Education, ensuring alignment across departmental and college leadership.

Bachelor's degree in a related field and 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in program administration, operations, higher education administration, or a related field, including 3 years of supervisory or leadership experience.

• Knowledge of university policies, procedures, and administrative operations.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, accreditation, and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated strategic leadership and organizational management skills.
• Strong financial management and budget administration skills.
• Ability to develop long-range strategic initiatives and operational plans.
• Ability to evaluate organizational effectiveness through assessment methodologies, data analysis, and performance metrics.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and staff development skills.
• Excellent project and change management skills.
• Ability to build collaborative partnerships across internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.

• Earned doctorate in Education or closely related field
• Experience in an equivalent senior leadership role
• Experience working within Texas educator preparation programs and TEA requirements
• Experience serving as TEA EPP Legal Authority or in a comparable compliance leadership role
• Proven success leading accreditation or state approval…