Director, Accreditation, Certification and Licensure

Description

CAEP Accreditation & Quality Assurance 

• Serve as Lead Project Manager for the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation cycle and ongoing maintenance; serve as the organization’s expert on accreditation management and the quality assurance process

  Manage project plans to ensure submission of required documentation by deadlines and coordinate evidence collection across teams

  Develop and maintain quality assurance metrics and data-reporting dashboards that demonstrate program effectiveness for accreditation purposes

  Conduct routine site observations and quality rounds to verify alignment with CAEP standards and program quality

  Collaborate across the organization to align program delivery with accreditation requirements

Teacher Certification & Licensure Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with educator preparation program partners, state certification agencies, and regional teams

  Design tracking systems that manage fellows' successful completion of certification requirements across multiple states

  Serve as primary point of contact for fellow questions regarding certification, licensure, and state-specific requirements

  Collaborate with regional teams to ensure smooth integration of certification requirements into fellow learning and development

  Serve as the organization's subject matter expert on certification testing requirements

  Provide strategic guidance on requirements and entrance assessments, and recommend targeted support interventions for fellows who are struggling to fulfill certification coursework or testing requirements 

  Process and complete program verification documentation for fellows seeking initial licensure or license transfer across states

  Monitor state certification timelines and proactively address barriers to timely completion

  Monitor and interpret evolving state and federal certification regulations, proactively advising internal stakeholders on implications for program design, compliance, and fellow support

  Apply an equity-informed approach to certification support, identifying and addressing systemic barriers that disproportionately impact fellows from historically marginalized communities

State & Federal Compliance 

• Serve as point of contact for state approval submissions, documentation, and maintenance of existing state approvals across all operating regions

  Complete required federal and state program reports, including annual Title II reporting; manage all authorization applications, renewals, addendums, and audits with state and national agencies

  Monitor evolving state certification regulations and educator preparation standards, communicating impacts to internal stakeholders

  Ensure organizational practices adhere to state compliance requirements and federal regulations

  Maintain current knowledge of State Board of Educator Certification proceedings and policy developments

  Research and evaluate new state licensure opportunities to support strategic program expansion aligned with organizational mission and capacity; assess eligibility and feasibility for market entry

Key Strategic Contributions

Strategic Leadership

• Serve as organizational authority on teacher certification, licensure, and accreditation policy

  Lead CAEP accreditation strategy, compliance, and continuous improvement

  Assess licensure implications for program design, policy changes, and regional expansion

  Advise senior leadership on certification risk, readiness, and regulatory trends

  Establish systems and standards that ensure long-term compliance and scalability

Operational Excellence

• Maintain up-to-date certification and licensure requirements across all operating and prospective states and LEAs

  Manage relationships with state education agencies, certification offices, and educator preparation program partners

  Design and oversee certification tracking systems, workflows, and internal controls

  Ensure accurate documentation, reporting, and timely submissions

  Identify and resolve compliance gaps, delays, or escalations

Fellow-Centered Support

• Partner with Directors of Fellow Experience to align certification milestones with the Fellow lifecycle

  Ensure Fellows receive clear, timely guidance on certification requirements and deadlines

  Design and deliver professional development related to certification and testing

  Provide escalation support for complex or at-risk certification cases

  Reduce barriers that delay certification and entry into the classroom

  Ensure a consistent, transparent certification experience across regions

   

  Requirements

  • Master's degree or higher

    5 or more years of progressive experience in teacher certification, educator preparation, or compliance roles

    Deep knowledge of teacher certification and licensure processes, preferably across multiple states

    Knowledge of alternative certification programs

    Strong project management skills with ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously

    Excellent data collection, analysis, and reporting skills

    Outstanding written and verbal communication abilities

    Proven ability to work collaboratively across internal and external teams

    Detail-oriented with systems-thinking approach to problem-solving

    Comfortable with ambiguity and able to operate as a self-starter with minimal oversight

    Experience working with Salesforce, Experience Cloud, Watermark, Learning Management Systems (i.e. Compass, Canvas, etc.) and Asana strongly preferred.

  
  

  Preferred:

  
  

  • PK-12 teaching experience

    Prior experience with CAEP accreditation processes and educator preparation program quality assurance

    Experience with educator preparation program partnerships

    Familiarity with state-specific certification requirements in multiple states

  
  

  What Distinguishes a Strong Candidate

  Regulatory and Accreditation Expertise

  Deep knowledge of state and federal teacher certification and licensure requirements

  Experience leading CAEP accreditation or comparable educator preparation accreditation

  Ability to interpret policy changes and translate them into actionable systems

  Systems Thinking and Execution

  Strong operational discipline with the ability to design scalable, compliant systems

  High attention to detail without losing sight of strategic priorities

  Proven ability to manage complex workflows across multiple states or regions

  Cross-Functional Leadership

  Demonstrated success partnering with program, operations, and Fellow experience teams

  Ability to influence without direct authority

  Clear communicator who aligns stakeholders around shared outcomes

  Fellow-Centered Orientation

  Commitment to reducing friction and uncertainty in the certification process

  Ability to balance compliance rigor with empathy and clarity for adult learners

  Experience supporting candidates through high-stakes credentialing processes

  Risk Management and Judgment

  Anticipates compliance risks and addresses them proactively

  Comfortable making decisions in ambiguous regulatory environments

  Trusted advisor to senior leadership on licensure and accreditation matters

  Target Start Date:  By June 1, 2026

   

  Location:   Remote with a strong preference for Baltimore, Dallas, Philadelphia, or Washington DC

   

  Time Commitment & Compensation: Full-time role; up to $102,109 & is subject to a geographic differential which could increase or decrease it by 4% or 8% depending on city of residence. We do not negotiate salaries.

  This role is critical to protecting institutional integrity, supporting Fellow success, and enabling City Teaching Alliance's sustainable growth.

  EOE Statement: We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

  Summary

  Our mission is to improve educational and life outcomes of children in urban schools by preparing culturally competent, effective career teachers who accelerate student achievement and disrupt systems of inequity. City Teaching Alliance accomplishes this by recruiting outstanding candidates, equipping them with state-of-the-art training, and linking their certification to their demonstration of effective teaching practices and skills. Our residents and teachers will provide the necessary proof points to make a national case for educator effectiveness and accountability. Learn more about City Teaching Alliance on our website: www.cityteachingalliance.org.

  Overview

  The Director of Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure ensures City Teaching Alliance's full compliance with state and federal educator licensure requirements and leads the systems that enable Fellows to earn certification accurately, efficiently, and on time. Reporting to the Chief Educator Learning Officer, this role serves as the organization's subject-matter expert on teacher certification, licensure, and accreditation across all current and future regions.

  This position provides strategic oversight and hands-on leadership for CAEP accreditation, state authorization, and licensure alignment with local education agencies and higher education partners. The Director monitors evolving certification requirements across states, proactively assesses implications for program design and expansion, and ensures institutional readiness prior to entering new markets.

  In close partnership with the Directors of Fellow Experience, the Director of Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure ensures that certification processes are clear, timely, and well integrated into the overall Fellow journey. Together, they align systems, communications, and supports so Fellows understand requirements, meet deadlines, and transition smoothly into classrooms as fully credentialed educators.

  The Director collaborates with regional teams, program leadership, and external agencies to maintain compliant systems, clear guidance, and consistent execution. This role is accountable for minimizing licensure risk, preventing delays to certification, and ensuring Fellows receive accurate, proactive support. The Director sets strategy and standards for certification and accreditation while ensuring effective execution through management of the Manager of Certification & Licensure