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

Overview

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 compliance, 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 Director of Academic and Operations Compliance & Chief Operating Officer report to the CEO.

The position bridges academic leadership and administrative operations, ensuring that institutional practices, operational systems, policies, and processes meet the requirements of accrediting bodies, federal and state regulations, and internal quality standards.

Responsibilities

Key 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 Accreditations, 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.
• Collaborate with the CEO to align operational and compliance functions with institutional strategic goals.
• 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 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.

Maximum Salary

Minimum Salary