Title: Executive Director of Accreditation, Operational Support, & Compliance

State Role Title: Education Administrator III

Hiring Range: Exact Commensurate Based on Qualifications & Experience

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Dept of Ed Central Operations

Location: JAMES MONROE BUILDING

Agency Website: doe.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

This position provides decisive leadership and strategic oversight to ensure that public schools comply with state and federal laws as well as the Standards of Quality § 22.1-253.13 and Standards of Accreditation 8VAC20-132, including safety, financial and operational requirements, while also promoting efficiency, accountability, and high-performing governance. Grounded in the belief that public education dollars must be responsibly managed to deliver maximum value for students and taxpayers, this role champions fiscally sound, operationally effective school systems across the Commonwealth. This leader will advance a solutions-oriented compliance model – balancing rigorous oversight monitoring with proactive support to ensure systems, funding, and operations serve students as intended.

This role is instrumental in fostering a culture of responsibility, innovation, and continuous improvement. It promotes clear expectations, empowers local leaders through well-defined frameworks, and intervenes decisively when operational, governance or fiscal practices fall short – always with a focus on protecting taxpayer investments, public trust, and delivering student outcomes. The Executive Director ensures that school systems in Virginia have access to targeted technical assistance, clear guidance, and high-quality resources to correct deficiencies and build long-term capacity.



Key outcomes-based responsibilities for this role include:



Facilitate Accreditation Coordination, Training, and Public Reporting Oversight – Coordinate within the Department to develop guidance documents, templates, exemplars, and rubrics to demonstrate how public schools and divisions will be objectively measured in the Standards of Quality § 22.1-253.13 and Standards of Accreditation in 8VAC20-132. Train divisions, schools, and governing boards in partnership with other key Department offices on the Accreditation process. Monitor the implementation of the Accreditation process and facilitate the review of audit or monitoring materials within the Department. Oversee the Accreditation appeal process.

Ensure Financial Accountability Across School Systems – Lead the design and implementation of a comprehensive financial monitoring system that identifies financial risks early and promotes timely corrective action to ensure that 100% of public school entities meet or exceed financial compliance standards annually. Ensuring financial reporting by school divisions and other required reporting entities is completed, as required by the Department, legislature, federal government, or Virginia State Code, and is submitted within the required timeframes. This work will be done in close coordination with the Budget and Finance Offices under the Chief Operations Officer. Assist other offices with school division reviews of resource allocation.

Strengthen Operational Capacity through Tools and Technical Support – Develop and scale statewide tools, templates, and technical assistance models that support school divisions and public charter schools in meeting operational compliance benchmarks including supporting the VDOE’s broader efforts to help schools modernize learning space, transportation systems and costs. Efforts should result in measurable year-over-year improvements in audit or monitoring outcomes, operational efficiency, and improvements to student learning environments.

Drive Data-Informed Oversight and Transparency – Establish performance dashboards and risk assessment frameworks that provide clear, actional insights into the financial and operational health of school divisions, enabling data-driven decision-making and reducing compliance findings by a targeted percentage over three years. Collaborate with the Office of Student and School Improvement as well as other offices to assist with all CSI and ATSI schools’ Resource Allocation Review (ESSA §1111(d)(3)(A)(ii)) as well as any resource allocation reviews for divisions with a significant number of federally identified schools. Collaborate within the Department to develop Accreditation data collection and tracking systems as well as generating reports for public reporting. Assist in preparing presentations for the Governor, Department, Board of Education, and public on the results of the Accreditation system.

Promote Corrective Action and Systemic Improvement – Oversee the development and execution of customized improvement plans for schools or systems that are non-compliant or underperforming on strong administration, operations and financial compliance. Ensure timely resolution of issues and sustainable governance improvements, with flagged entities demonstrating progress within one year. Provide a method for feedback to divisions and public schools. Collaborate with other offices at the Department on a system of support for divisions and public schools with unsatisfactory evidence or responses.

Foster Cross-Sector Collaboration to Build Local Capacity and Scale Solutions – Engage with school leaders, boards, school business officials, and other external partners to share best practices, provide trainings, and align efforts across the Commonwealth. This will be done in close partnership with the Office of Excellence and Best Practices to include strong administrative, financial and operational planning to accelerate innovation.

Support alignment of Innovation and Compliance: Work across teams to ensure compliance measures and collection of evidence are aligned with efforts to innovate, accelerate best practices, and create a stronger K-16 pipeline.

Minimum Qualifications

Critical Knowledge Areas:

Public School Finance and Budgeting: Deep understanding of K-12 funding mechanisms, accounting principles, budgeting processes, and cost controls for both divisions and public charter schools.

State and Federal Compliance Regulations: Comprehensive knowledge of relevant laws and regulations (e.g. SOQ, SOA, ESSA, EDGAR, Uniform Guidance, state-specific codes, etc.) governing financial and operational accountability in public education.

Risk Management and Audit Principles: Knowledge of risk identification, internal controls, financial audits, and operational reviews used to safeguard public assets.

Public Sector Governance and Policy: Understanding of how school boards, superintendents, public charter boards, and state agencies interact, including legal and operational responsibilities.

Change Management and Capacity Building: Proven ability to support struggling entities through technical assistance, professional development, and effective corrective action strategies.


Essential Skills:

Ability to lead large-scale initiatives, align cross-functional teams, and design compliance systems that scale across a variety of local education agencies.

Strong analytical skills to interpret financial reports, audit findings, and performance data to inform decisions and prioritize oversight.

Skill in crafting clear, actionable policies and translating them into operational tools and supports for schools and systems.

Excellent communication skills to explain complex issues clearly to policymakers, school leaders, school business officials, and the public, and to build consensus for action.

Key Abilities:

Lead with integrity and accountability – set a tone of transparency, high expectations, and fairness in all interactions with divisions and agency staff.

Balance Oversight with Support – Apply a nuanced approach to compliance, knowing when to enforce, when to guide, and how to build local capacity without micromanaging.

Innovate within Constraints – Identify creative, cost-effective solutions to operational or compliance challenges within legal and policy frameworks.

Drive for Continuous Improvement – Relentlessly pursue higher standards of performance, using evidence and feedback to refine systems and raise the bar for schools statewide.

Additional Considerations

Minimum Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, public administration, business administration, education policy, education leadership, or a related field.

Preferred Education: Master’s degree or higher in one of the following area’s is strongly preferred:

Public Administration (MPA)

Business Administration (MBA)

Education Leadership or Policy

Prior work experience that is strongly aligned includes charter or division school business official, or finance, operational, or accreditation responsibilities in a public or charter school, or state agency.

Experience developing, influencing or consulting on education policy, particularly related to funding, compliance, or governance is preferred.

Familiarity with consulting, data analysis, dashboard development, and/or stakeholder engagement is a plus.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Pursuant to Sections 2.2-3114 and 2.2-3115 of the Code of Virginia, this position has been designated as requiring you to disclose your financial interests. Financial interests shall be disclosed as a condition of employment and thereafter as required. The mechanism you will use to disclose these interests is called Statement of Economic Interests.

A résumé will be accepted in lieu of a completed state application. Applications submitted via e-mail, postal service, fax or hand-delivered will not be considered. Successful candidates must pass a criminal background check. Commonwealth of Virginia employees may have teleworking options available. Final teleworking agreements will be reviewed and approved upon hire.

Commonwealth’s Alternate Hiring Process:
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to prove their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: https://www.vadars.org/drs.cpid/PWContact.aspx, or call DARS at 800-552-5019.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview process. For assistance call: (804) 225-2021, [TTY: 786-8389]

It is the policy of the Commonwealth and the VDOE that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans, and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply. The Virginia Department of Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity within its workforce.

Supplemental Questions: You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application. This information will help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: N/A

Email: humanresources@doe.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.