DIRECTOR, OFFICE FOR ACCREDITATION (OA)

The American Library Association (ALA), the oldest and largest library association in the world, seeks a strategic leader to head its Office for Accreditation (OA). The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining and expanding ALA's accreditation program and the recognition program for school libraries in a complex environment. They will focus on continuous quality improvement, supporting the future of the Library Information Science (LIS) field, and guiding stakeholders through the accreditation process.

Key responsibilities include the following:

• Directs all accreditation activities, ensuring compliance with standards, processes, policies, and procedures and alignment with industry best practice.
  
  
  
  • Oversees all accreditation-related activities and correspondence with programs.
  • Provides direction and guidance to programs to ensure adherence to standards. Ensures consistency and thereby equitability for all programs.
  • Directs the formulation, training, activities and evaluation of External Review Panels.
  • Provides support to current and prospective programs and LIS Students.
  • Ensures compliance with Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) standards of recognition.
  • Ensures activities align with ALA core values including equity, diversity and inclusion.
  
  
  
  

• Provides leadership, planning, and management of Committee on Accreditation (CoA) who enforces and upholds the accreditation process.
  
  
  
  • Serves as primary staff liaison to CoA and its various sub-committees.
  • Supports selection and orientation of new volunteers.
  • Develops recruitment and training to ensure a diverse pipeline of volunteers.
  • Ensures documentation of all committee processes.
  
  
  
  

• Oversees the Office for Accreditation, including budgeting and reporting on performance and hiring. Manages one direct report.
  
  
  
  • Modernizes internal processes and workflow.
  • Supports successful implementation of accreditation software.
  • Good interpersonal skills including staff development and mentoring
  
  
  
  

• Focuses on continuous quality improvement of standards and processes and guides strategic direction for ALA's accreditation program.
  
  
  
  • Ensures that ALA-accreditation adds value for programs.
  • Identifies opportunities for growth and expansion of accreditation activities.
  • Represents ALA accreditation at conferences and meetings and serves as the subject matter expert for ALA regarding accreditation activities and standards.
  • Represent ALA and CoA to Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and lead maintenance of recognition.
  • Liaises with the Association of Library and Information Science Educators (ALISE) and supports a strong collaboration between LIS Faculty and ALA.
  
  
  
  

This is a regular full-time position based in our Chicago office.

ALA staff are currently working on a hybrid schedule. Please note that although we have a generous telecommuting policy for our employees, we do not have any truly remote positions in states outside of our workplace sites. Relocation package available.

ALA currently requires that employees be fully vaccinated as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Proof of vaccination will be required on or before start date.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check and proof of your eligibility to work in the United States.

Starting salary range negotiable from mid-90s, based on relevant experience. ALA has an excellent benefit package that includes flexible work schedules, medical, dental, generous paid vacation, a retirement annuity, and a 35-hour work week. You may also qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).

Closing Date: Consideration of candidates will begin May 1, 2024 and continue until the position is filled.

FOR CONSIDERATION:

Apply online, including resume and cover letter detailing why your past experience would make you an ideal candidate to oversee an accreditation program.

Or

Send resume and cover letter detailing why your past experience would make you an ideal candidate to oversee an accreditation program to:

Lorelle Hopkins

ALA Associate Executive Director, Human Resources

Ref: dirOA

Email: lswader@ala.org

The American Library Association is an equal opportunity employer: Disability/Veteran.

Required Education and Experience

• Master's degree required. Master's in library and information science preferred.
• 7-10 years of total work experience including a minimum of 3 years of experience working in accreditation, compliance, certification, licensing or related experience.
• Familiarity with institutional or programmatic accreditation in higher education and knowledge of higher education environments and trends.
• Demonstrated organizational and management skills.
• Demonstrated success in working in a complex organization with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including presentations and reports, with the ability to influence at multiple levels.
• Limited travel for our ALA Conferences.

Desired Experience:

• Minimum 1-3 years supervising and developing staff.
• Experience working with or within an academic environment including faculty or administrative experience.
• Knowledge of accreditation software systems and ensuring systems are fully utilized to provide excellent user experience.
• Demonstrated success in accreditation or certification programs and clearly communicating the purposes and value of accreditation as continuous quality improvement.

Core Competencies/Skills:

• Organize multiple ongoing projects and processes; assign resources, advance work through staff and volunteers.
• Strong ethical sense - particularly around issues of confidentiality and conflict of interest.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a complex organization.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with members, staff and volunteers with diverse perspectives.
• Strategic, innovative, and future-oriented thinker.

More about ALA

ALA offers professional services and publications to members and nonmembers, including online news stories from American Libraries and analysis of and advocacy on crucial issues from our office of Public Policy and Advocacy (PPA) located in Washington, DC. Our main headquarters in Chicago is located on the Magnificent Mile, Michigan Ave, with other satellite offices in Connecticut, and Pennsylvania.