Director of Academic and Operations Compliance & Chief Operating Officer (COO)

The Director of Academic and Operations Compliance & Chief Operating Officer is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing institutional operations while ensuring full compliance with all Federal, State, accreditation, and regulatory requirements. This position integrates operational leadership with academic compliance oversight to support institutional effectiveness, student success, and sustainable growth, in alignment with the university’s mission, accreditation standards, and long-term strategic goals. The role reports to the CEO and bridges academic leadership and administrative operations.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and day‑to‑day oversight of institutional operations (HR, Finance, IT, etc.).
• Lead process improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, scalability, and service delivery across the institution.
• Monitor and report on critical compliance indicators to ensure compliance with all regulatory (Federal and State) and accreditation requirements, and assess operational effectiveness and student success outcomes.
• Collaborate with the CEO on budgeting, resource allocation, and operational forecasting.
• Collaborate with the CEO and manage the strategic planning process.
• Ensure seamless coordination across departments and institutional priorities.
• Ensure institutional compliance with accrediting bodies, federal, and state regulatory requirements.
• Ensure institutional compliance with employee qualification standards (faculty and staff) and compensation practices.
• Monitor regulatory changes and proactively implement necessary institutional adjustments.
• Develop, implement, and maintain institutional policies in coordination with departments and procedures to ensure compliance and operational consistency.
• Serve and chair committees as needed and ensure effective oversight and monitoring of complaint resolution processes for operations and academic units.
• Ensure accurate documentation, recordkeeping, and audit readiness across all operational and academic areas.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and data‑informed decision‑making.
• Translate strategic operations priorities into actionable operational plans and measurable outcomes.
• Identify and report to the CEO on operational and compliance risks.
• Build organizational capacity through staff development, training, and performance management.

Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree required; Doctorate preferred in Higher Education, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Experience: Demonstrated experience in operations management and academic compliance; direct experience with Federal, State, and accreditation processes and regulatory frameworks; experience in online, hybrid, and non‑traditional education environments preferred.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Proven ability to lead complex operations and drive organizational efficiency; excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills; strong communication and stakeholder engagement capabilities; ability to manage multiple priorities and lead change in a dynamic environment.

Pay

Minimum Salary: USD $150,000.00 per year

Maximum Salary: USD $185,000.00 per year