Careers @ MSU

Working/Functional Title

Executive Director of Accessibility Compliance and ADA/Section 504 Coordinator

Position Summary

Michigan State University (MSU) seeks an experienced and strategic leader to serve as the Executive Director of Accessibility Compliance and ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (ED and ADA/Section 504 Coordinator) within the Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance (OCR). Reporting directly to the Vice President for OCR / Title IX Coordinator and Title VI Coordinator, this role provides university-wide leadership in advancing accessibility as a core institutional value, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations and shaping policies that foster an inclusive academic and working environment. The ED and ADA/Section 504 Coordinator serves as a member of the OCR executive leadership team and is responsible for providing strategic leadership for the Accessibility and ADA/Section 504 Coordinator branch (which includes the university’s Digital Accessibility team), serving as a collaborative thought-partner with university and community partners on accessibility topics and the development and implementation of policies related to accessibility.  

The major areas of responsibility for the ED and ADA/Section 504 Coordinator include, but are not limited to, the following: 

Strategic Direction and Operational Leadership 

• Lead and inspire a high-performing team to deliver strategic initiatives on time, fostering collaboration and innovation. 
• Translate university-wide priorities into actionable strategies for the Accessibility and ADA/Section 504 Coordinator branch that accelerate growth and enhance cross-functional impact in the area of accessibility. 
• As part of OCR executive leadership, collaborate in the development, implementation and monitoring of the OCR Strategic Framework. 
• Develop and manage the Accessibility and ADA/Section 504 Coordinator’s budget aligning it with the strategic framework, including working with the OCR Business Services team in the annual budget process and providing ongoing fiscal stewardship. 
• Champion the Accessibility and ADA/Section 504 Coordinator’s team and institute change management and other processes to support the team’s success. 
• Continuously monitor and improve disability and digital accessibility operations using data-informed metrics to measure progress and ensure initiatives meet the needs of the campus. 

Disability and Accessibility Policy Implementation 

• Develop, implement, review and engage strategic partners in updating university-wide policies and internal protocols and processes regarding disability and digital accessibility in alignment and compliance with the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and other relevant laws.  
• Provide executive leadership and expertise regarding the university’s Digital Accessibility Policy and applicable compliance efforts.  
• Provide executive leadership and expertise for the university’s Disability and Accessibility Policies Training.  
• Complete student, employee and unit appeals in accord with the Disability and Reasonable Accommodation Policy. 
• Consult with and provide advice to community stakeholders regarding building and physical space accessibility compliance.  
• Provide expert consultation to members of the university community regarding disability and digital accessibility rights and responsibilities under the university’s policies and applicable laws and regulations.  
• Respond to concerns and complaints about building and physical space accessibility. 
• Carry out other delegated responsibilities related to disability and digital accessibility compliance. 

Lead University-Wide Accessibility Initiatives 

• Proactively identify, develop and implement strategic initiatives in the area of accessibility that drive success for the overarching MSU strategic plan and the OCR strategic framework. 
• Serve as Chair of the President’s Advisory Committee on Disability Issues (PACDI) which is responsible for advising the president on university policies, programs and procedures affecting persons with disabilities in the university community.  
• In collaboration with university partners, plan and execute events (such as the annual Disability Summit and MSU Disability Pride Month) that elevate and highlight important and timely topics related to disabilities and accessibility for stakeholders from around the university and broader MSU community. 
• Provide executive leadership for the university-wide implementation of the MSU Digital Accessibility policy and the initiatives to ensure ongoing compliance with federal digital accessibility standards. 

Engagement and Community Building 

• Serve as a liaison to build bridges to other university colleges, departments and units including serving as the university’s disability and accessibility compliance expert on cross-functional committees and teams (including, but not limited to, the Care and Intervention Team; the Campus Infrastructure Planning Workgroup; the Fundamental Alteration Review Panel; the Emergency Management Advisory Committee; and the Campus Climate Survey Planning Committee. 
• Expand a culture of collaboration across the university by working with relevant stakeholders to create disability and digital accessibility compliance programs, tools and communications. 
• Interface with individuals at all levels of the university, including executive leadership, faculty and staff, students and external community members. 
• Develop a knowledge of the greater campus and university community to broaden the effectiveness and impact of OCR’s disability and digital accessibility work. 
• Partner with university and community partners to improve opportunities for individuals with disabilities at the university and surrounding region.  
• Represent the university with local, regional, conference and other workgroups focused on topics related to accessibility and the ADA in higher education. 
• Provide transparent communication and instill excitement around collaboration as a vehicle for OCR’s success. 

Other Duties as Assigned 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Other

Desired Degree

Doctorate

Minimum Requirements

Minimum Qualifications & Characteristics

• JD, Master's or other relevant advanced degree. 
• A minimum of six years of relevant professional experience. 
• A demonstrated ability to manage complex and sensitive matters in a timely manner. 
• Significant knowledge of and proven ability to provide advice regarding reasonable accommodations for employees; academic adjustments and assistive technologies for students; accommodations for those participating in the university’s programs, services and activities; digital accessibility and building and physical spaces compliance.  
• Significant knowledge of and proven ability to provide advice regarding the university’s compliance obligations to students, employees, patients, visitors and members of the public participating in its services, programs and activities.    
• Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to interpret federal and state disability and digital accessibility laws and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (Titles I – V), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Michigan’s Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, the Architectural Buildings Act, the Fair Housing Act and other relevant laws and regulations. 
• Excellent demonstrated critical thinking skills and the ability to convey complex analysis clearly both in writing and the spoken word. 
• A strong and transparent communicator who can convey the university’s stance on disability and digital accessibility compliance to internal and external groups. 
• A strong track record of collaboration, campus engagement and forging relationships across an organization with the ability to be a front-facing administrator both internal and external to the university.  
• A demonstrated professional history in successful and progressively responsible administrative roles. 
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, program assessment and policy development. 
• Demonstrated ability to successfully lead staff and effectively prioritize multiple projects. 
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering and advancing a diverse and inclusive workforce. 
• Exceptional interpersonal skills. 
• Commitment to the highest ethical and integrity standards. 
• An understanding of intersectionality, identity and trauma-informed principles and practices. 

Desired Qualifications

• JD degree desired.
• Proven ability to provide leadership to transform and/or enhance institutional approaches to disability compliance and accessibility. 
• Experience supervising next-level supervisors and supporting the growth of both direct reports and second-level reports. 
• Experience managing budgets including budget development, ongoing monitoring of expenses, interpretation of financial reporting and management of finances to enable achievement of goals. 
• Higher education administrator experience, preferably in disability compliance. 
• Proven ability to lead accessibility strategy in a large, decentralized institution with diverse stakeholders. 
• Certified ADA Coordinator or Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) preferred.     

Required Application Materials

• CV or Resume
• Cover Letter

Special Instructions

• On-campus presence required. Possible flexible work schedule, including a potential hybrid-remote work model. based on the business needs of the role.
• Please provide required application materials at time of application.

Website

HTTPS://CIVILRIGHTS.MSU.EDU/

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.