Manager Accreditation (Project Management)

We Impact Lives Through Purpose-Driven Work in A People First Culture 

Ascend Learning is the connection between a powerful portfolio of brands serving students, educators, and employers with outcomes-based, data driven solutions across the lifecycle of learning. 

Our values-driven culture unifies our teams and inspires a mindset of action, innovation, and collaboration, with a relentless focus on customers. 

We're always looking for talented, passionate professionals to join us in our mission to help change lives. If this sounds like an environment where you'd thrive, read on to learn more. 

Ascend Learning leads the way in innovation and solution creation to improve outcomes and deliver results for students, educators, and healthcare workers in the ever-changing field of healthcare. We offer advanced resources that drive nursing success, empower front-line certified allied health workers, help physicians pass boards and stay current, and provide education management tools for medical education programs. 

WHAT YOU'LL DO 

As a Manager Accreditation, you will lead all accreditation efforts and support as a liaison between healthcare teams and external accreditation bodies. This position will maintain existing certification programs and continuing education accreditation and collaborate with product leadership to expand strategy into new areas like joint accreditation or other accreditation bodies valued by our customers.  The Accreditation Manager will also manage the independent certification boards, and supervise a team to support interactions with accreditors and completion of accreditation/reaccreditation applications and annual reports.  

WHERE YOU'LL WORK 

This position will work remote in the United States. 

HOW YOU'LL SPEND YOUR TIME 

Accreditation Center of Excellence Leadership 

• In collaboration with Product Operations Lead, lead the overall Healthcare Accreditation Center of Excellence team. Align processes, communication, and accreditation support across Ascend Healthcare.  

• Actively participate in product support for future accreditation needs and value proposition development of future opportunities to meet our customer needs.    

• Allocate team resources to support strategic direction and near-term accreditation activities to ensure all accreditation applications remain on track, organizing internal stakeholders for preparation of submissions or inquiry responses.  

• Accountable for the accurate completion of all submissions for accreditation/reaccreditation including responses to any inquiries and all annual reports.  

• Effectively communicate to the organization the importance and customer-centric value of accreditation. 

Certification Accreditation Board  

• Responsible for all communications with certification accreditors, including influencing and shepherding issues to a positive outcome 

• Manage the certification board structure and communication; ensuring board positions are filled, regular meetings are held, and consistent communication is shared. 

• Manage certification board committees including appeals and disciplinary requests.  

• Effectively communicate to board members to encourage engagement and continued partnership.\ 

External Representative for Ascend Accreditations 

• Attend related industry conferences.  

• Seek opportunities for speaking/writing on topics of interest to Ascend customers. 

• At the direction of Product Leadership, explore new external opportunities that engage and support our customers.  

WHAT YOU'LL NEED 

Education & Years of Experience  

• Bachelor degree required. 

• 8+ years related work experience, including (a) managing highly effective and collaborative teams (b) a successful track record working with accrediting bodies and staff; and (c) strong writing skills in completing accreditation submissions and overcoming inquiries.  Established, strong industry reputation is a positive.   

• Strong ability to influence others through effective communication.  

• Experience in recruiting and facilitating voluntary boards is preferred. 
• Experience in continuing education content creation and management is preferred. 

Skills & Competencies 

• Strong understanding of accreditation standards and expectations of accrediting bodies. 

• Strong communication and collaboration skills, including advocacy on behalf of Ascend before accreditors and public presentations at industry conferences. 

• Ability to lead and engage volunteer boards and build loyalty to Ascend products.  

• Team management to drive collaboration, efficiency, and effectiveness. 

• Exceptional writing skills to support communication and external facing articles, etc.   

• Ability to advocate before accreditors with nuance, protecting relationships while obtaining positive results for the business. 

• Must be able to balance the business needs with the accreditation requirements with agility and explain the risks to the internal stakeholders when various options are presented. 

• Ability to work with multiple stakeholders internally (business, product teams, etc,) and externally (board members, accreditors, etc.). 

• Tackle challenging situations with various stakeholders to maintain focus and accomplish the accreditation goals. 

• Advocate at all levels the crucial aspects of accreditation and our commitment to adhering. 
• Ability to travel 20% of the year to support Governing Boards, key Customer-Conferences, etc. 

BENEFITS 

• Flexible and generous paid time off 

• Competitive medical, dental, vision and life insurance 

• 401(k) employer matching program 

• Parental leave 

• Wellness resources 

• Charitable matching program 

• Hybrid work 

• On-site workout facilities (Leawood, Gilbert, Burlington) 

• Community outreach groups 

• Tuition reimbursement 

Fostering A Sense of Belonging 

We seek out and celebrate all people and perspectives and cultivate an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued and be their authentic selves. Our culture is firmly rooted in the belief that by embracing our differences and drawing on diverse perspectives, we are a stronger, more innovative, and more successful organization where employees experience a sense of belonging. 

About Ascend Learning 

As a tech-enabled services company, Ascend Learning is a national leader in developing and delivering data-driven online educational content, software, assessments, analytics, and simulations serving institutions, students and employers across healthcare, fitness and wellness, public and workplace safety, skilled trades, insurance, financial services, cybersecurity, and higher education. We're committed to accelerating the learning pathways that can move people into careers where they have the knowledge and skills to have an impact and help change lives in the communities they serve. Headquartered in Burlington, MA with additional office locations and hybrid and remote workers in cities across the U.S., Ascend Learning was recognized by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group as one of America's 2023 Greatest Workplaces for Diversity. 

Ascend Learning, LLC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer (M/F/Vets/Disabled). No agency or search firm submissions will be accepted. Applications for U.S. based positions with Ascend Learning, LLC must be legally authorized to work in the United States and verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. 

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