The Executive Director of the Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability (ORCA) provides strategic, university-wide leadership to advance a safe, respectful, accessible, and welcoming learning and working environment while ensuring compliance with federal and state laws, Board of Regents Policy, and University regulations. Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, this position oversees the administration of ORCA, including associate directors, investigators, case managers, and professional staff, while providing executive oversight of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, Clery Act, student conduct, CARE, civil rights compliance, and related institutional compliance programs. Serving as the University's ADA/504 Coordinator and Chief Student Conduct Officer, the Executive Director helps coordinate and at times leads investigations involving discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, student misconduct, accessibility, and other complaints; develops and implements institutional policies, procedures, and prevention strategies; oversees the university's threat assessment and CARE teams; manages compliance reporting and case management systems; and serves as the primary resource for complex compliance matters across the institution. The Executive Director collaborates extensively with university leadership, faculty, staff, students, community partners, and external agencies to promote a culture of accountability, safety, and respect through education, training, outreach, policy development, and continuous improvement while managing departmental operations, personnel, and budget in support of the university's academic, research, and student success missions.
To thrive in this role, the successful candidate will possess a thorough knowledge of federal and state civil rights and higher education laws, as well as demonstrated experience interpreting and applying complex laws, regulations, policies, and higher education best practices. You will be an accomplished leader with experience managing professional staff, fostering collaboration, and building strong partnerships across diverse stakeholder groups. The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional analytical, investigative, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, along with the ability to exercise sound judgment in sensitive and complex situations. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential, as is the ability to effectively engage with a wide array of communities. Experience with case management databases and enterprise systems, such as Banner, is highly desirable, along with a strong understanding of trauma-informed practices and their application in investigations, student conduct, and civil rights compliance.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, student affairs, legal studies, Counseling, Business, Law or a related discipline. Equivalent training, knowledge and experience may be substituted. Preferred - Master's degree in HR, student affairs, legal studies or JD.
Must be able to pass a criminal background check and obtain CJIS - criminal justice information system clearance.
Writing skills test may be required at the time of the interview.
A valid Alaska Driver's License and clean driving record in compliance with UA Safe Driving Criteria.
Position Details:
This is a full-time, executive position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package . UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. Salary will be aligned with qualifications and experience.
Application review will be on August 6, 2026, at 11:55 PM Alaska Time. Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration; however, the recruitment will remain open until filled.
To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE .
If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Bridget Thimsen, Signers' Business Office, HR Coordinator at bmthimsen@alaska.edu.
*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction. Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.
This position is designated as an officer of the university or senior administrator at the discretion of the president.
