Serve as Lead Project Manager for the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation cycle and ongoing maintenance; serve as the organization’s expert on accreditation management and the quality assurance process
Manage project plans to ensure submission of required documentation by deadlines and coordinate evidence collection across teams
Develop and maintain quality assurance metrics and data-reporting dashboards that demonstrate program effectiveness for accreditation purposes
Conduct routine site observations and quality rounds to verify alignment with CAEP standards and program quality
Collaborate across the organization to align program delivery with accreditation requirements
Build and maintain strong relationships with educator preparation program partners, state certification agencies, and regional teams
Design tracking systems that manage fellows' successful completion of certification requirements across multiple states
Serve as primary point of contact for fellow questions regarding certification, licensure, and state-specific requirements
Collaborate with regional teams to ensure smooth integration of certification requirements into fellow learning and development
Serve as the organization's subject matter expert on certification testing requirements
Provide strategic guidance on requirements and entrance assessments, and recommend targeted support interventions for fellows who are struggling to fulfill certification coursework or testing requirements
Process and complete program verification documentation for fellows seeking initial licensure or license transfer across states
Monitor state certification timelines and proactively address barriers to timely completion
Monitor and interpret evolving state and federal certification regulations, proactively advising internal stakeholders on implications for program design, compliance, and fellow support
Apply an equity-informed approach to certification support, identifying and addressing systemic barriers that disproportionately impact fellows from historically marginalized communities
Serve as point of contact for state approval submissions, documentation, and maintenance of existing state approvals across all operating regions
Complete required federal and state program reports, including annual Title II reporting; manage all authorization applications, renewals, addendums, and audits with state and national agencies
Monitor evolving state certification regulations and educator preparation standards, communicating impacts to internal stakeholders
Ensure organizational practices adhere to state compliance requirements and federal regulations
Maintain current knowledge of State Board of Educator Certification proceedings and policy developments
Research and evaluate new state licensure opportunities to support strategic program expansion aligned with organizational mission and capacity; assess eligibility and feasibility for market entry
Serve as organizational authority on teacher certification, licensure, and accreditation policy
Lead CAEP accreditation strategy, compliance, and continuous improvement
Assess licensure implications for program design, policy changes, and regional expansion
Advise senior leadership on certification risk, readiness, and regulatory trends
Establish systems and standards that ensure long-term compliance and scalability
Maintain up-to-date certification and licensure requirements across all operating and prospective states and LEAs
Manage relationships with state education agencies, certification offices, and educator preparation program partners
Design and oversee certification tracking systems, workflows, and internal controls
Ensure accurate documentation, reporting, and timely submissions
Identify and resolve compliance gaps, delays, or escalations
Partner with Directors of Fellow Experience to align certification milestones with the Fellow lifecycle
Ensure Fellows receive clear, timely guidance on certification requirements and deadlines
Design and deliver professional development related to certification and testing
Provide escalation support for complex or at-risk certification cases
Reduce barriers that delay certification and entry into the classroom
Ensure a consistent, transparent certification experience across regions
Master's degree or higher
5 or more years of progressive experience in teacher certification, educator preparation, or compliance roles
Deep knowledge of teacher certification and licensure processes, preferably across multiple states
Knowledge of alternative certification programs
Strong project management skills with ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously
Excellent data collection, analysis, and reporting skills
Outstanding written and verbal communication abilities
Proven ability to work collaboratively across internal and external teams
Detail-oriented with systems-thinking approach to problem-solving
Comfortable with ambiguity and able to operate as a self-starter with minimal oversight
Experience working with Salesforce, Experience Cloud, Watermark, Learning Management Systems (i.e. Compass, Canvas, etc.) and Asana strongly preferred.
PK-12 teaching experience
Prior experience with CAEP accreditation processes and educator preparation program quality assurance
Experience with educator preparation program partnerships
Familiarity with state-specific certification requirements in multiple states
Regulatory and Accreditation Expertise
Deep knowledge of state and federal teacher certification and licensure requirements
Experience leading CAEP accreditation or comparable educator preparation accreditation
Ability to interpret policy changes and translate them into actionable systems
Systems Thinking and Execution
Strong operational discipline with the ability to design scalable, compliant systems
High attention to detail without losing sight of strategic priorities
Proven ability to manage complex workflows across multiple states or regions
Cross-Functional Leadership
Demonstrated success partnering with program, operations, and Fellow experience teams
Ability to influence without direct authority
Clear communicator who aligns stakeholders around shared outcomes
Fellow-Centered Orientation
Commitment to reducing friction and uncertainty in the certification process
Ability to balance compliance rigor with empathy and clarity for adult learners
Experience supporting candidates through high-stakes credentialing processes
Risk Management and Judgment
Anticipates compliance risks and addresses them proactively
Comfortable making decisions in ambiguous regulatory environments
Trusted advisor to senior leadership on licensure and accreditation matters
Target Start Date: By June 1, 2026
Location: Remote with a strong preference for Baltimore, Dallas, Philadelphia, or Washington DC
Time Commitment & Compensation: Full-time role; up to $102,109 & is subject to a geographic differential which could increase or decrease it by 4% or 8% depending on city of residence. We do not negotiate salaries.
This role is critical to protecting institutional integrity, supporting Fellow success, and enabling City Teaching Alliance's sustainable growth.
EOE Statement: We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Our mission is to improve educational and life outcomes of children in urban schools by preparing culturally competent, effective career teachers who accelerate student achievement and disrupt systems of inequity. City Teaching Alliance accomplishes this by recruiting outstanding candidates, equipping them with state-of-the-art training, and linking their certification to their demonstration of effective teaching practices and skills. Our residents and teachers will provide the necessary proof points to make a national case for educator effectiveness and accountability. Learn more about City Teaching Alliance on our website: www.cityteachingalliance.org.
The Director of Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure ensures City Teaching Alliance's full compliance with state and federal educator licensure requirements and leads the systems that enable Fellows to earn certification accurately, efficiently, and on time. Reporting to the Chief Educator Learning Officer, this role serves as the organization's subject-matter expert on teacher certification, licensure, and accreditation across all current and future regions.
This position provides strategic oversight and hands-on leadership for CAEP accreditation, state authorization, and licensure alignment with local education agencies and higher education partners. The Director monitors evolving certification requirements across states, proactively assesses implications for program design and expansion, and ensures institutional readiness prior to entering new markets.
In close partnership with the Directors of Fellow Experience, the Director of Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure ensures that certification processes are clear, timely, and well integrated into the overall Fellow journey. Together, they align systems, communications, and supports so Fellows understand requirements, meet deadlines, and transition smoothly into classrooms as fully credentialed educators.
The Director collaborates with regional teams, program leadership, and external agencies to maintain compliant systems, clear guidance, and consistent execution. This role is accountable for minimizing licensure risk, preventing delays to certification, and ensuring Fellows receive accurate, proactive support. The Director sets strategy and standards for certification and accreditation while ensuring effective execution through management of the Manager of Certification & Licensure