Director of Accreditation, Quality Improvement & Special Projects

• Job Type : Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit :
• Regular / Temporary : Regular
• End Date if Temporary :
• Hours Per Week : 35
• Standard Work Schedule :
• Building :
• Salary Range : $100,000-$120,000

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training.

The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Vice Dean for Education, and in close consultation with the school's academic and administrative (Dean and Vice Deans) leadership, the Director is responsible for coordinating the School's ongoing accreditation by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) and accreditation-related quality improvement activities.

This includes directing the School's continuous quality improvement (CQI) program, which involves the participation of numerous academic and administrative units, to gauge and improve institutional compliance with LCME standards, and managing the preparations for the visit of an ad hoc LCME survey team every eight years.

The Director will supervise the work of the Program Coordinator for Special Programs Including Student Run Clinics.

The Director partners closely with senior administrative staff, the Center for Education Research and Evaluation (CERE), as well as directors in medical education and other health professional education programs, including, but not limited to the deans with oversight of education, academic and faculty affairs, and school administration.

The position provides opportunities to lead and contribute to initiatives related to the MD program and other educational programs at VP&S.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record of directing complex, high-profile, multi-stakeholder projects; providing strategic insight into and tactical direction related to meeting compliance frameworks;

establishing and sustaining CQI processes; and creating a positive and inclusive work environment, with high standards of excellence.

This is an ideal position for someone who enjoys problem-solving, approaches relationship-building with a learning mindset, and is goal-oriented.

This position is based in NYC and some in-person on-campus work will be required. Some flexible / remote work is an option.

Applicants must include a cover letter and a resume.

Responsibilities

• Administratively leads the accreditation and CQI teams, which involves collaboratively setting and executing long- and short-term team goals, managing assigned project manager(s), project coordinator(s), external consultants, and related resources, and serving as a key thought-partner with the Vice Dean for Education
• Sets strategic and tactical direction for accreditation-related projects and processes to drive quality improvement and mitigate LCME compliance risk.
• Oversees the effectiveness and execution of the School's and Office of Education's CQI plan, directing the collection, assessment, and synthesis of pertinent data;

will have independence and responsibility for tracking priority initiatives that drive innovative approaches to meet QI goals.

• Partners with the School's Faculty Accreditation Lead to prepare for cyclical accreditation survey visits, including designing and staffing the self-study process, and drafting formal reports to the LCME as required.
• Maintains expertise in evolving accreditation requirements, ensuring compliance is documented and processed in accordance with established timelines and policy;

develops and delivers training or briefing materials; and serves on various educational and other school governance committees, providing internal consulting on LCME / CQI-related matters as they arise.

• Ensures timely submission of data requests from the University to the Medical School in support of regional accreditation processes.
• Contributes to other Special project of the Vice Dean as needed, inclusive of Curriculum reform.
• Oversees audit integrity of all medical education data stored and report on behalf of the VP&S to accrediting agencies, university administration, public relations, etc.
• Demonstrates an aptitude for database solutions.
• Develops and administers a system to automate analytical tools and reports for academic student success programming.
• Assist with creating and updating the MD program policies and procedures.
• Creates and oversees databases functionality to serve as a clearinghouse for affiliation agreements, VP&S policy statements, and accreditation records.
• Shares responsibility as a working member of the CQI committee. Helps achieve the strategies and tactical direction for accreditation-related projects and processes to drive quality improvement and mitigate accreditation compliance risks.
• Coordinates and Schedules meetings appropriate for the tasks and at the request of the Vice Dean.
• Consults with deans, faculty, course and clerkship directors, and others regarding educational programs and administrative processes related to accreditation.
• Works to identify gaps in efficiency and implements corrective action to maximize effectiveness and quality.
• Creates systems to implement controls and reduce inefficiencies, both fiscally and administratively.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in education and experience required.

Minimum of 5 years' relevant work experience in administration, project management / direction, or related.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a health or educational field.
• 8-10 years of relevant work experience in administration, project management / direction or related is preferred.
• Strong understanding of medical school accreditation requirements or deep experience in medical education, academic planning, or academic compliance matters that would allow for rapid acquisition of medical accreditation expertise.
• Prior experience within academic healthcare or in a university, hospital, or closely related setting.

Other Requirements

Excellent writing, strategic thinking, analytic, organizational, and presentation skills, with the demonstrated ability to generate work products that are accurate, clear, and relevant to the topic at hand.

Candidates should be proficient in Word, Excel, Power BI, Project Management software and PowerPoint.

• Ability to navigate complex, fast-paced institutions and multiple stakeholders, with poise and professionalism.
• Demonstrated experience and effectiveness with a variety of work relationships, including overseeing direct reports, managing project teams, and / or working productively with senior or executive leadership.
• Eagerness to learn from others, with clear evidence of a growth mindset, and a willingness to iterate on work products.

Commitment to supporting a positive, diverse, and inclusive workplace.

• Ability to work independently and as an effective team member.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to innovate, think critically, manage change, problem solve, and implement process improvements across all areas of responsibility.
• Prior experience within academic healthcare or in a university, hospital, or closely related setting.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.