Chief Academic Officer

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Requirements:

• Doctorate (PhD, EdD, JD) strongly preferred; an MBA with extensive accreditation leadership experience will also be considered.
• 10+ years of leadership experience in higher education with expertise in academic affairs, accreditation, compliance, and regulatory governance.
• Proven track record of leading successful accreditation processes (e.g., EHEA, WASC, BPPE, HLC, SACS, or equivalent).
• Deep knowledge of academic governance structures, degree recognition policies, and global accreditation standards.
• Experience working in a high-growth, global, or startup education environment is a plus.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with an ability to balance high-level strategy and hands-on execution.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to interface with executives, faculty, regulators, and legal teams.
• High EQ and leadership skills, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and academic excellence.

Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic oversight of Woolf’s academic framework, ensuring the quality, integrity, and accreditation of degree programs across all member colleges.
• Lead the development and execution of academic policies, procedures, and governance structures that align with international accreditation standards.
• Guide Woolf’s global recognition efforts, working to ensure Woolf degrees meet compliance standards across jurisdictions (such as EHEA, WASC, BPPE, HLC, SACS, etc.).
• Advise the CEO and executive team on academic trends, regulatory changes, and risks that impact Woolf’s mission and global positioning.
• Oversee accreditation processes and regulatory filings to maintain Woolf’s institutional accreditation and ensure continued compliance with international accrediting bodies.
• Lead liaison efforts with regulators, accrediting agencies, and legal teams across multiple regions to secure program approvals and maintain recognition.
• Develop audit and compliance frameworks to proactively address risk and meet accreditation and quality assurance requirements.
• Serve as a key advisor to Woolf’s member colleges, helping them navigate accreditation processes, policy implementation, and academic governance.
• Direct program assessment, curriculum review, and learning outcomes evaluation to maintain high academic standards.
• Establish and oversee academic committees, faculty policies, and institutional governance structures that support Woolf’s long-term mission.
• Build and lead a high-performing academic operations team, including accreditation experts, academic compliance officers, and faculty governance leaders.
• Stay at the forefront of emerging trends in online education, EdTech, and accreditation innovations, integrating best practices into Woolf’s academic model.