Director of Authorizer Compliance (24-25)

Director of Authorizer Compliance

Role Mission: The Director of Authorizer Compliance is responsible for managing charter school authorizer reporting through research, audits, and data tracking. This role functions as the liaison between state and federal educational entities and IDEA Public Schools and its affiliates. The Director of Authorizer Compliance focuses on risk assessments that keep our students, staff, and programming safe from harm, while also protecting financial assets and lowering the risk of legal liability and ensuring that charter authorizer expectations are met. At it's core, the role ensures IDEA is in good-standing so that the organization can meet charter renewal expectations and continue serving our students and communities.

Location: This is a full-time remote position based in Texas with preference given to candidates who live in Austin, El Paso, Houston, Permian Basin (Midland/Odessa), Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, and Tarrant County (Fort Worth), or who are willing to relocate.

What You’ll Do – Accountabilities:

Conduct compliance audit with MD of Authorizer Strategy and General Counsel to ensure execution aligns to state, authorizer, or federal requirements and internal policies

• Manage annual risk assessment, in partnership with internal audit, to determine clear programs to review
• Develop scope and sequence for programmatic reviews and execute against such plan
• Create analysis of issues to be shared with senior leaders and support execution of corrective actions, as necessary on such areas
• Pressure tests systems and processes to promote the adoption of best practices.
• Ensure thorough understanding of authorizer and policy requirements in areas to design and execute a compliance audit
• Identify ways to celebrate adherence to expectations and improvements and share transferable learnings with additional stakeholders

 Manage and complete annual, recurring projects related to having compliant operations while streamlining experience for internal stakeholders

• Conduct annual website review against all requirements
• Manage student handbook process for all entities annually, including ensuring there are appropriate plans and training for implementation
• Ensure effective execution in organization of annual processes around conflict of interest and nepotism disclosures alongside business office and human resources teams
• Complete additional projects as assigned by the MD of Authorizer Strategy

Work with advocacy team on implementing legislative and regulatory updates with efficiency

• Seek information from the Director of Regulatory Affairs and External Affairs teams regarding legislative and regulatory updates and be part of working group to ensure they are interpreted and executed appropriately across the network
• Set clear expectations for implementation timelines, aligned with MD of Authorizer Strategy, In House General Counsel and Superintendent

Complete projects as assigned by MD of Authorizer Strategy related to, but not exclusive to, responding to inquiries from authorizers, necessary mid-year corrective actions, and general reporting requirements.

• Work with authorizer team members to ensure there is an annual reporting and submission calendar
• Work collaboratively to address immediate concerns which are escalated for urgency
• As assigned, attend calls with authorizers and prepare clear, timely communication regarding updates and next steps to stakeholders
• Ensure all authorizer complaints and non-compliance notices are responded to adequately and on-time
• Manage risk mitigation by proactively identifying areas of risk, gaps in protocol or adherence to compliance per state education agency requirements.

What You Bring - Competencies

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree required
• 5 years school district or charter school compliance
• Experience:  3-5 years of project planning, audit, and/or evaluation work; in-house or school district/charter school preferred
• Travel: Must be willing to travel on average 10% of the time (across the network)

Knowledge and Skills:

• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Must have strong verbal and written communication skills
• Well-honed skill in crafting resources and presentations for multiple internal and external audiences
• Data-driven decision making with the ability to structure ambiguity into actionable plans
• Ability to work with a diverse group of stakeholders
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Demonstrated knowledge of legal terminology and principles

What We Offer:

Compensation & Benefits:

Salaries for people entering this role typically fall between $89,600 and $105,300, commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity. This role is also eligible for performance pay based on organizational performance and goal attainment.

Additionally, we offer medical, dental, and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) plan. You can find more information about our benefits at https://ideapublicschools.org/careers/benefits/.

* IDEA may offer a relocation stipend to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.

Application process:

Submit your application online through Jobvite. Please note that applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Learn more about IDEA

At IDEA the Staff Culture and Belonging Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members.  Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here: https://ideapublicschools.org/our-story/#core-values