Director of Professional Preparation (College of Education)

The University of Arizona College of Education is searching for a Director of Professional Preparation to provide strategic leadership, coordination, compliance oversight, and operational management for educator and professional preparation programs across the university. This position oversees teacher certification programs within the College of Education and serves as the lead liaison for educator preparation programs housed across multiple colleges, including Science, Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences (CALES), Fine Arts, and Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS). The role also supports professional preparation and certification pathways in educational leadership, school psychology, rehabilitation and mental health counseling, special education, and related professional programs.

Consistent with national models across Colleges of Education and educator preparation programs, the Director of Professional Preparation serves as a central coordinating leader responsible for certification compliance, accreditation support, data reporting, educator workforce partnerships, student success initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts connected to educator and professional preparation.

This position aligns with national leadership models across Colleges of Education that emphasize integrated educator preparation systems, accreditation and compliance oversight, PK-12 partnerships, data-informed continuous improvement, workforce development, and innovative professional preparation pathways. The Director of Professional Preparation will help establish a coordinated institutional infrastructure to support program quality, educator workforce responsiveness, student success, certification completion, and external partnerships across the university's professional preparation ecosystem. The position is intended to strengthen institutional effectiveness and strategically position the University of Arizona to respond to evolving state and national educational priorities through collaborative leadership and innovation.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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• Support strategic enrollment growth initiatives, endorsement development and updates, workforce pipeline partnerships. Work to retain students
  within the Teacher Prep Education Program.
• Coordinate external partnerships with school districts, community
  colleges, educational agencies, and workforce partners to strengthen educator
  preparation and placement opportunities.
• Provide centralized leadership related to educator certification,
  institutional recommendations, licensure verification, state and federal
  compliance requirements, accreditation support, and program approvals and
  renewals.
• Lead planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of
  academic program policies, processes, and schedules to optimize program
  quality, student experience, and operational efficiency.
• Oversee personnel through direct supervision, including hiring,
  training, evaluation, and discipline. Leads the work of multiple staff members,
  including supervisors and managers, within the college.
• Provides guidance, training, and direction to ensure work meets
  established standards and desired outcomes.
• Plans and evaluates staff performance, oversees recruitment and
  development, and provides input on compensation decisions in accordance with
  guidelines.
• Oversee program-level resource planning, including staffing, space,
  technology, and instructional support needs, and make recommendations to
  leadership on optimal allocation.
• Identify operational risks and compliance issues related to academic
  programs and implement controls, documentation, and training to ensure
  adherence to institutional and regulatory requirements.
• Lead educator preparation reporting and data management
  initiatives, including Title II reporting, state reporting requirements,
  certification outcomes, graduate employment data, and continuous improvement
  metrics.
• Develop systems for collecting and analyzing candidate, alumni, employer,
  and stakeholder data to support program improvement, accreditation efforts, and
  strategic planning.
• Utilize data strategically and collaborate with recruiters, faculty,
  advisors, curricular affairs, and student success teams to grow and strengthen
  educator preparation pathways, enhance retention efforts, and promote
  certification readiness.
• Establish and monitor program-level performance metrics, analyze
  enrollment and student outcomes data, and recommend operational changes to
  enhance program effectiveness.
• Lead or support major projects and initiatives related to program expansion,
  modality changes, curricular revisions, or new program launches, ensuring
  operational readiness and sustainability.
• Support accreditation and assessment efforts associated with
  educator preparation and professional licensure programs, including CAEP,
  AAQEP, CACREP, APA, and other applicable accreditation systems.
• Monitor changes in state licensure and certification policies and
  communicate updates to faculty, program directors, advisors, and university
  leadership.
• Serve as the primary university liaison to the Arizona Department of
  Education, Arizona State Board of Education, U.S. Department of Education,
  school districts, community colleges, and professional organizations.
• Oversee certification-related processes across approved educator preparation programs, including student and alumni support, alternative certification pathways, and communication regarding certification timelines and requirements.
• Coordinate educator preparation program submissions, renewals, biennial
  reviews, and compliance documentation with state agencies and accrediting
  bodies.
• Support educator workforce and grant initiatives designed to reduce barriers for students entering the profession and improve certification and employment outcomes.
• Oversee communication, timelines, memoranda of understanding, interagency agreements (IAG), field placement documentation, and compliance processes connected to educator preparation programs.
• Provide leadership in professional preparation governance by chairing or coordinating university-wide committees related to educator certification, curriculum alignment, compliance, program quality, and educator
  workforce development initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of state and federal reporting requirements, accreditation standards, and educator workforce systems.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across academic and administrative
  units and build partnerships with external educational stakeholders.
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills with
  the ability to manage complex projects and multiple stakeholders.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum of 7 years of related work experience, including 3 years of managerial experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

• Advanced degree in education, higher education, educational leadership or related field.
• Experience working educator preparation, licensure, accreditation, or professional certification programs in higher education.
• Experience with strategic planning, assessment, data analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives.