Senior Vice President

Senior Vice President
FLSA Status: Exempt
Reports to: Executive Vice President
Employment Status: Full-time
Work Schedule
:
Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, with occasional morning, evening, and weekend hours required.
Work Location: The role follows a hybrid work schedule, combining primarily remote work with periodic on-site responsibilities at the Redmond, WA office. The role also includes regular travel to participate in institutional accreditation visits, conferences, and Commission meetings. In-person presence is required as needed to advance organizational priorities, engage with team members, participate in cross‑functional collaboration, and support key initiatives.

To be considered, candidates must reside and work in one of NWCCU’s approved employment states and be available to work regular Pacific Time business hours. This position is not eligible for employment in international locations. NWCCU is also not currently hiring for this role in California, Hawaii, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, or Florida.

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) is a recognized institutional accreditor dedicated to assuring educational quality and effectiveness across higher education. Our mission is grounded in collaboration, integrity, and a relentless commitment to continuous improvement.

The Senior Vice President (SVP) is responsible for leading the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities’ (NWCCU) accreditation process and executing engagement with its member institutions. This role provides leadership in accreditation reviews, compliance functions, and institutional training, while advancing Commission strategies that promote institutional continuous improvement and student learning and success. The SVP contributes to Commission meetings, represents NWCCU in higher education forums, and advances the mission to assure educational quality and institutional effectiveness.

• Institutional Engagement & Accreditation Leadership:
  Provide leadership for accreditation reviews, ensuring member institutions meet NWCCU Standards and policies and U.S. Department of Education regulations; guide staff and peer evaluation teams in reviewing reports, site visits, and accreditation materials; review and analyze institutional reports and data (e.g., Annual Reports, Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness); ensure timely responses to inquiries from institutions and regulatory bodies; review and contribute to responses to complaints regarding member or candidate institutions;
  
  review action letters and summaries for Commission decisions; collaborate with institutions to prepare applications and documentation for accreditation from pre‑applicant to member institutions.
• Training, Institutional Support & Policy:
  Lead and support training initiatives on accreditation; support NWCCU policy development; contribute to the review and revision of NWCCU Standards and Eligibility Requirements; lead and contribute to regular review and updating of NWCCU procedures, handbooks, and manuals.
• Board, Commission & Stakeholder Engagement:
  Prepare and present materials for Commission meetings, advising Commissioners on accreditation decisions; represent NWCCU in national higher education forums, conferences, and consortiums; build and maintain strong relationships with institutional leaders, peer evaluators, and federal/state partners.
• Leadership:
  Partner with the President and executive leadership team to shape organizational strategy; contribute to strategic planning initiatives that strengthen NWCCU’s mission and services; provide leadership in cultivating a collaborative, high‑performing team environment.

• Doctoral degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of five years in senior‑level higher education leadership, either in administration or as senior faculty.
• Direct experience with institutional…