Director of Professional Preparation (College of Education)

Director of Professional Preparation (College of Education) Posting Number req26264 Department Education - Dean's Office Department Website Link https://education.arizona.edu/ Location Tucson Campus Address Tucson, AZ USA Position Highlights

The University of Arizona College of Education is searching for a Director of Professional Preparation to provide strategic leadership, coordination, compliance oversight, and operational management for educator and professional preparation programs across the university. This position oversees teacher certification programs within the College of Education and serves as the lead liaison for educator preparation programs housed across multiple colleges, including Science, Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences (CALES), Fine Arts, and Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS). The role also supports professional preparation and certification pathways in educational leadership, school psychology, rehabilitation and mental health counseling, special education, and related professional programs.

Consistent with national models across Colleges of Education and educator preparation programs, the Director of Professional Preparation serves as a central coordinating leader responsible for certification compliance, accreditation support, data reporting, educator workforce partnerships, student success initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts connected to educator and professional preparation.

This position aligns with national leadership models across Colleges of Education that emphasize integrated educator preparation systems, accreditation and compliance oversight, PK–12 partnerships, data-informed continuous improvement, workforce development, and innovative professional preparation pathways. The Director of Professional Preparation will help establish a coordinated institutional infrastructure to support program quality, educator workforce responsiveness, student success, certification completion, and external partnerships across the university’s professional preparation ecosystem. The position is intended to strengthen institutional effectiveness and strategically position the University of Arizona to respond to evolving state and national educational priorities through collaborative leadership and innovation.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Duties & Responsibilities

• Support strategic enrollment growth initiatives, endorsement development and updates, workforce pipeline partnerships. Work to retain students within the Teacher Prep Education Program.
• Coordinate external partnerships with school districts, community colleges, educational agencies, and workforce partners to strengthen educator preparation and placement opportunities.
• Provide centralized leadership related to educator certification, institutional recommendations, licensure verification, state and federal compliance requirements, accreditation support, and program approvals and renewals.
• Lead planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of academic program policies, processes, and schedules to optimize program quality, student experience, and operational efficiency.
• Oversee personnel through direct supervision, including hiring, training, evaluation, and discipline. Leads the work of multiple staff members, including supervisors and managers, within the college.
• Provides guidance, training, and direction to ensure work meets established standards and desired outcomes.
• Plans and evaluates staff performance, oversees recruitment and development, and provides input on compensation decisions in accordance with guidelines.
• Oversee program-level resource planning, including staffing, space, technology, and instructional support needs, and make recommendations to leadership on optimal allocation.
• Identify operational risks and compliance issues related to academic programs and implement controls, documentation, and training to ensure adherence to institutional and regulatory requirements.
• Lead educator preparation reporting and data management initiatives, including Title II reporting, state reporting requirements, certification outcomes, graduate employment data, and