Career Center

Join a dynamic team to support independent schools across New England

The Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE) seeks a leader to serve as our next Director of Accreditation, a role that promotes continuous improvement and accountability in independent schools. 

We welcome candidates who are excited about joining an organization that is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as reflected in our mission and core values. The ideal candidate is passionate about promoting continuous improvement and sustainability of independent schools and has demonstrated an ability to partner with school leaders and other key stakeholders.

The position reports directly to the Executive Director and works closely with a small team to deliver high-quality service to the AISNE membership.

Primary Responsibilities

Leadership

• Serve as the “voice” of accreditation for the membership and as the primary contact for school leaders.
• Work closely with the Executive Director to support strategic goals and initiatives regarding accreditation.
• Serve as staff leader for the Membership Committee - a subcommittee of the AISNE Board that oversees the accreditation process. This includes partnering with the chairperson, preparing meeting agendas, setting annual goals and tracking progress, and recruiting and onboarding new Committee members.
• Articulate the value proposition of AISNE’s accreditation program to a wide array of audiences.
• Partner with national and international accrediting bodies to help shape the dialogue regarding school improvement and accountability.
• Provide effective communication within and among all parties involved in the accreditation process including member schools, the Membership Committee, the Board of Directors, and partner accrediting agencies.

Accreditation Management

• Manage the calendar of decennial and interim accreditation visits and reporting requirements within AISNE’s 10-year accreditation cycle.
• Maintain a database of nominees for accreditation visiting teams and build visiting teams, including recruiting, training, supervising, and evaluating visiting team members. 
• Provide individual and cross-school training for school leaders and self-study coordinators about the accreditation process.
• Read self-studies and interim reports for clarity and completeness.
• Review and edit all visiting team reports for consistency and accuracy.
• Conduct accreditation candidacy, one-year, five-year, pre-visit, and provisional status school visits / video conferences, and write corresponding reports.
• Ensure schools are informed of accreditation decisions in a timely and effective manner.
• Administer the Accredited School Annual Report and identify themes and trends impacting member schools. 
• Provide ongoing support to schools and visiting teams throughout all stages of the accreditation process.

Team Collaboration

• Communicate with AISNE staff colleagues about accreditation trends, school milestones, and annual accreditation caseload to provide visibility.
• Support AISNE professional development events and other organizational initiatives as needed.

 Essential Competencies:

• Exceptional organization and project-management skills in order to deliver timely results while navigating different timelines, projects, and priorities.
• Excellent writing, editing, and presentation skills in order to convey the value of accreditation and support the delivery of a high-quality accreditation experience for each school.
• The ability to collaborate with various constituent groups and the cultural competence to build consensus with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to provide consultative guidance to school leaders, including listening to challenges and analyzing situations, and providing guidance with sensitivity and empathy.
• An appreciation for the diversity of independent schools within the association’s membership. 
• Exceptional discretion and ability to maintain confidential information.
• Ability to work virtually and manage and prioritize workload independently. 

Desired Skills and Experience

• A bachelor’s degree.
• Experience working in or with independent schools and an understanding of governance, operations, and program-related best practices.
• An extensive network of professional contacts and colleagues within the independent school landscape.
• Understanding of the accreditation process and its value for independent schools.
• Expertise with the technology required to work collaboratively and support schools, such as Google Suite, Zoom, and Microsoft Office.

Additional information

• The successful candidate will need to reside in New England and be able to travel throughout the region to conduct school visits and trainings. 
• Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience.
• To learn more about AISNE, please visit our website at www.aisne.org

How to apply

To apply, submit a letter of interest and a resume to AISNE Executive Director, Claire Leheny, claire@aisne.org, by October 6, 2023.