About the position:

The Assistant Director of Academic Strategy and Quality functions with senior administrative oversight for the Agency’s consumer protection work, with authority to make recommendations to the Board to grant authorization to higher education institutions to operate in Illinois and grant degrees, approve changes to university academic programs and curricula, approve dual credit program offerings and out-of-state entities relating to distance education offerings; provides final resolution on student complaints; supports agency work to advance postsecondary access and attainment initiatives (including student transfer, early college, and online learning); responsible for oversight of the Illinois participation in the national State Authorization Reciprocity Act; contributes to advancing the IBHE role as a thought leader in the quality and integrity of postsecondary education and supports implementation of A Thriving Illinois.

Major Duties & Responsibilities:

• Functions with senior administrative oversight for the Agency’s consumer protection work; makes recommendations to the Board to grant authorization to higher education institutions to operate in Illinois and grant degrees; reviews and approves changes to university academic programs and curricula and new dual credit program offerings; approves out of state entities related to distance education for Limited Physical Presence; manages institutional closure process; works directly with college and university academic leadership, including Provosts, Deans, and Faculty
• Manages the agency’s authorization of out-of-state distance education exemption requests and enacts the state’s participation in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)
• Analyzes the needs and priorities for higher education programs in relation to regional, state, and national workforce/employer demand and the needs of underserved and underrepresented students including working adults
• Supports student transitions, access, success, and completion by coordinating related initiatives; coordinates the agency’s work with the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI); partners with relevant stakeholders including ICCB and IAI staff to manage panels and IAI policy
• Reviews and provides final resolutions to student complaints
• Manages and completes statutorily required data tracking and reporting
• Ensures compliance with all relevant federal and state laws, legislation, rules, regulations, and developments in the field of institution and degree program authorization and approval
• Collaborates with counterparts at other agencies and other stakeholders to advance higher education initiatives related to agency goals and state priorities
• Researches and remains current on higher education policy issues related to the quality and integrity of postsecondary education, student success, and equity in alignment with A Thriving Illinois
• Provides staffing support for various advisory committees/councils as assigned
• Performs other duties as assigned, within scope of position

Position Requirements and Qualifications:

Education/Experience:

Required:

• A minimum of a Master’s Degree in higher education administration, educational administration and leadership, instructional design, curriculum and instruction, higher education policy, policy studies, college teaching, or similar
• Minimum 3+ years related experience in higher education administration, educational administration and leadership, instructional design, curriculum and instruction, higher education policy, policy studies, college teaching, or similar

Preferred:

• Experience with accreditation, academic transfer, student retention and success initiatives, online teaching and learning, academic program development and implementation, early college initiatives

Skills & Traits:

• Demonstrated ability to achieve identified outcomes in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated understanding of higher education quality, student access, retention, and completion within equity impact
• Demonstrated ability to act as a strategic thinker and rapid problem-solver to effectively handle all types of institutional cases related to their current or planned operations in Illinois; ability to research, gather, and analyze evidence to effectively apply statute and administrative rules in evaluating institutional applications
• Demonstrated ability to quickly grasp and effectively communicate complex, detailed information in a clear, concise manner for a variety of audiences
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong positive relationships with all internal and external stakeholders including other state and national regulatory bodies, as well as related professional organizations
• Demonstrated ability to work well in a collaborative environment

Work location:

• IBHE offers remote and hybrid work arrangements, based on position and supervisor discretion.
• Travel within Illinois is expected, as required by the work.

Salary and Benefits:

• Anticipated starting salary between $80,000 – max $90,000 / year.
• We offer the state’s competitive employee benefits package.

To Apply:

Apply online at: https://illinois.jobs2web.com/job-invite/51752/

Application deadline is 12/29/2025

We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce by ensuring all our staff work in an environment of openness and acceptance. We strive to foster a community where people of all backgrounds, identities, and perspectives can feel secure and welcome. We also value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place to work, learn and live. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we strongly encourage veterans, individuals with disabilities, women, and minorities to apply.

IBHE is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse workforce. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Illinois Human Rights Act, state agencies must ensure that the employment process is accessible to persons with disabilities. Specifically, these laws require that the state provide reasonable accommodation upon request by individuals participating in all steps of the employment process. This includes the State of Illinois interview process.