Position Summary

The Director of Certification and Evaluation will be a dynamic and mission-driven individual with knowledge of international education systems, strong communication skills, business acumen, and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse communities of interest. The incumbent will bring a proactive attitude, a commitment to innovation, and a passion for quality in higher education. 

The Director of Certification and Evaluation reports directly to the Executive Director and provides oversight of global certification and credential evaluation programs through on-going commitment to the quality of global architectural education, communicating the value of quality assurance to NAAB stakeholders, and positioning NAAB as the authority in the international arena. The Director of Certification and Evaluation has supervision responsibilities.

The Director of Certification and Evaluation maintains the following responsibilities:

International Certification Program

• Provide leadership in developing innovative strategies to expand and scale international certification programs under NAAB’s portfolio.
• Devise strategic approaches to evaluating international certifications in alignment with NAAB’s conditions and procedures.
• Monitor trends in the quality assurance field and international higher education industry to capture best practices and contemporary processes to position NAAB as authority in the international arena.
• Work with committees and task forces to update and revise policy manuals and standards of certification, building off of NAAB’s existing criteria.
• Continuously review trends in international higher education, quality assurance, and the field of architecture to innovate and improve the NAAB International Certification process.
• Work with programs, monitor annual compliance, identify concerns, and develop strategies to meet the NAAB criteria for International Certification.
• Develop and implement training for volunteer evaluators and site visitors.

Education Evaluation Services for Architects (EESA)

• Provide leadership in developing innovative strategies to increase the number of EESA applications and evaluations.
• Partner with related organizations to streamline the EESA process.
• Identify trends in international pre- and post-secondary education that impact applicants’ progress to successful evaluations and streamline the evaluation criteria, in collaboration with NAAB partners.
• Identify and implement a software solution for automating EESA process.

Canberra Accord

• Provide support to the Executive Director in representing NAAB to international signatory systems in quality assurance of education.

Steward NAAB’s Resources

• Develop and manage budgets for certification and evaluation programs in a cost-conscious and transparent manner.
• Leverage NAAB’s funding and related fee-based revenue in a manner consistent with achieving NAAB’s strategic goals.
• Evaluate International Certification and EESA fee structures on an ongoing basis and make data-driven recommendations based on industry best practices.

Team and Committee Leadership

• Support a culture that promotes NAAB’s mission, drives employee engagement, prioritizes teamwork and accountability, and fosters professional growth.
• Focus on building trusted relationships with both internal and external constituents and stakeholders; provide staff support and liaison to NAAB committees and/or task forces as assigned.
• Develop reports for the Executive Director, committees, and the Board.

Qualifications

The Director of Certification and Evaluation will bring a combination of the following professional qualities and experiences:

• Demonstrated cultural awareness as it relates to education systems outside the United States; understanding of how social and political systems impact education policies in various countries.
• Proven experience in scaling programs and developing new offerings.
• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills.
• Experience developing budgets and keen financial acumen with an understanding of how to promote financial sustainability.
• Proven record of efficiently handling multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with attention to detail.
• Association and/or higher education experience.
• Strong customer service abilities, with ability to interact effectively, efficiently, and professionally with individuals at all levels of the organization: board members, volunteers, partner organizations, and staff team members.
• Sincere passion for and ability to promote a constructive, positive, and nurturing organizational culture.
• Resourceful nature, innovative spirit, and creative approach.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, diplomacy, ethical conduct, and thoroughness.
• Required travel of up to 25%.
• Proficiency in data analysis, records management, and related software programs.
• All-encompassing supervisory experience managing both individuals and complex processes.
• Minimum of five years of previous work experience with a Master’s degree or minimum of ten years of previous work experience with a Bachelor’s degree—with increasing responsibilities—in association management, accreditation, higher education, or international programs.

About National Architectural Accrediting Board

The NAAB accredits professional degrees in architecture offered by institutions with U.S. regional accreditation, offers certification to international architecture programs offered by institutions without U.S. regional accreditation, and evaluates education credentials for foreign-educated architects. Vision The NAAB advances educational quality assurance standards and processes that anticipate the needs of academic programs, the profession, and society, to promote a better built environment. Mission The NAAB develops and maintains an accreditation system in professional degree education that enhances the value, relevance, and effectiveness of the profession of architecture.

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