Director of Regulatory Affairs

Director of Regulatory Affairs

Regulatory Affairs – Governance Team

Role Mission:

The Director of Regulatory Affairs ensures that IDEA stakeholders become informed of and compliant with new and updated requirements from local, state, and national agencies in addition to partnering with IDEA teams to make sure standing regulations are being adhered to in the district. The director achieves this via closely monitoring legislative and regulatory updates to anticipate actions needed by IDEA, which allows the director to proactively anticipate and prepare for adjustments, rather than reacting after the fact. To accomplish this, the director must develop a multifaceted understanding of how IDEA operates and how to orchestrate actions needed amongst a range of internal stakeholders. Given this complexity, the director will implement sound project management and progress monitoring practices. To accomplish their work, the director will partner closely with the legal affairs team, board services and policy team, and external affairs team.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None. The director reports directly to the Managing Director of Authorizer Strategy on the Governance team.

Location:

This is a full-time remote position based in Texas with preference given to candidates who live in Austin, El Paso, Houston, Permian Basin (Midland/Odessa), Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, and Tarrant County (Fort Worth), or who are willing to relocate.

Travel Expectations: 10% travel may be required

What You’ll Do – Accountabilities

In this role you will:

1. Monitor and track changes to federal, state, and local law which may impact the organization and communicate changes to the organization.

• Keep informed as to potential legal changes in all areas where IDEA operates, and work with the General Counsel, policy team, and other internal stakeholders to ensure that teams are prepared to implement any necessary modifications to our operations.
• Read and interpret legislation, regulations, authorizer requirements, and education code with proficiency and then support the interpretation of these requirements to internal stakeholders.
• For proposed rule changes, identify IDEA’s position on issues of concern and draft rule comments in collaboration with internal stakeholders.
• Develop thorough understanding of the implications of regulatory changes on school operations, finance, and personnel.
• Build strong systems and modes of communication for ensuring visibility to law changes for stakeholders and informing the appropriate groups of changes.

2. Develop and execute project plans to ensure internal teams are informed and can appropriately implement requirements

• Navigate internal systems and structures to effectively communicate changes and actions needed
• Use reasoned project planning tools to manage communication, implementation, execution, and regular review
• Provide clear guidance and customer service on assisting individuals and teams with navigating requirements and legal language
• Build effective partnerships with policy team to ensure seamless process when regulatory changes need policies and board action
• Identify external trainings for internal teams to attend regarding regulatory changes
• Manage risk mitigation by proactively identifying areas of risk, gaps in protocol or adherence to compliance with state and local authorizer requirements
• Hold others accountable to creating and executing implementation plans

3. Ensure outside stakeholders – such as board members – are aware of requirements and implementation status

• Implement strong frameworks for working with IDEA’s audit team, board services team, and others to effectively communicate with stakeholders
• Build clear analysis tools for sharing with stakeholders
• Collect evidence for and monitor implementation effectiveness related to requirements such as the Charter School Performance Framework
• Prepare regular updates for the Board of Directors

4. Collaborate with the Director of Authorizer Compliance to build and execute annual plans to review and audit for the complete implementation of new regulations

• Identify focus areas to mitigate risk of findings from outside agencies
• Analyze outcomes of the review and audit process to inform improvements needed for future cycles of new regulation communication and implementation

5. Ensure that IDEA’s internal team is well coordinated and has effective partnerships with advocacy organizations

• Effectively partner and communicate with IDEA’s external affairs team to support relationships with charter associations and other outside groups on legislative updates and efforts
• As requested by Superintendent or Regulatory Affairs team, attend local educational service center meetings, town halls, and/or authorizer calls to receive information and provide updates back to the organization

What You Bring – Competencies

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong ability to communicate clearly in writing and verbally
• Skill in crafting resources and presentations for multiple internal and external audiences
• Capacity to influence senior internal leaders
• Data-driven decision making with the ability to structure ambiguity into actionable plans
• Demonstrated understanding of the functions, processes, and challenges of managing schools
• Extensive experience with project development, management, and/or evaluation
• Knowledge of PK-12 and higher education policy and legislation affecting public charter school students, alumni, families, teachers, and staff
• Knowledge of state education agencies and their impact on statewide policymaking
• Knowledge of local school boards

Required experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree required

Preferred experience:

• 6+ years’ experience in education, law and/or policy work
• 1+ years’ teaching experience or experience working in a school environment

What We Offer:

Compensation & Benefits:

Salaries for people entering this role typically fall between $81,800 and $95,800, commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity. This role is also eligible for performance pay based on organizational performance and goal attainment.

Additionally, we offer medical, dental, and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) plan. You can find more information about our benefits at https://ideapublicschools.org/careers/benefits/.

* IDEA may offer a relocation stipend to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.

Application process:

Submit your application online through Jobvite. Please note that applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Learn more about IDEA

At IDEA the Staff Culture and Belonging Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members. Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here: https://ideapublicschools.org/our-story/#core-values

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