Senior Director, Educator Preparation

Title: Senior Director, Educator Preparation

Employee Classification: Sr Program Director

Campus: University of North Texas

Division: UNT-Provost

SubDivision-Department: UNT-College of Education

Department: UNT-Education-Ed Prep-132230

Job Location: Denton

Salary: Commensurate with experience

FTE: 1.000000

Retirement Eligibility: TRS Eligible

About Us - Values Overview

Department Summary

The Department of Teacher Education and Administration seeks to improve educational practice through the generation of knowledge and to prepare education professionals who serve all students. It focuses on the preparation of EC-6 secondary educators and school administrators who employ current theory and research.

Position Overview

The Senior Director of Educator Preparation serves as the chief operational and strategic leader of the University of North Texas Educator Preparation Office (EPO). This role is responsible for ensuring program excellence, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency across all educator preparation pathways.

The Senior Director provides end-to-end leadership across clinical practice, certification and accountability, and student success, ensuring alignment with university priorities and full compliance with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC). The position acts as the primary institutional authority for EPO operations, data reporting, and state accountability.

This role is both strategic and execution-focused, driving continuous improvement, strengthening PK–12 partnerships, and ensuring candidates are prepared, supported, and successful from admission through certification and employment. Additional responsibilities include managing departmental resources, advising college leadership on regulatory and programmatic initiatives, and leading strategic projects that support the mission and growth of the college's educator preparation programs.

This role reports directly to the Chair of the Department of Teacher Education & Administration, with a dotted-line reporting relationship to the Dean of the College of Education, ensuring alignment across departmental and college leadership.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a related field and 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in program administration, operations, higher education administration, or a related field, including 3 years of supervisory or leadership experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

* Knowledge of university policies, procedures, and administrative operations.
* Knowledge of applicable federal, state, accreditation, and regulatory requirements.
* Demonstrated strategic leadership and organizational management skills.
* Strong financial management and budget administration skills.
* Ability to develop long-range strategic initiatives and operational plans.
* Ability to evaluate organizational effectiveness through assessment methodologies, data analysis, and performance metrics.
* Strong leadership, coaching, and staff development skills.
* Excellent project and change management skills.
* Ability to build collaborative partnerships across internal and external stakeholders.
* Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
* Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Earned doctorate in Education or closely related field

Experience in an equivalent senior leadership role

Experience working within Texas educator preparation programs and TEA requirements

Experience serving as TEA EPP Legal Authority or in a comparable compliance leadership role

Proven success leading accreditation or state approval reviews

Strong background in data systems, accountability, and program evaluation

Experience leading organizational restructuring or operational transformation

Required License/Registration/Certifications

Job Duties

• Strategic Oversight: Lead all educator preparation programs, managing 11 staff members and organizational design. 
• Legal Authority: Serve as primary TEA contact and official legal authority for state compliance. 
• TAC Alignment: Ensure strict adherence to Texas Administrative Code (TAC) rules for admissions and accountability. 
• Mandatory Reporting: Oversee all ASEP submissions, Title II reporting, and 5-year continuing approval reviews. 
• ECOS Management: Direct candidate recommendation processes and ensure data integrity via the ECOS system. 
• Data-Driven Strategy: Build integrated data systems to track candidate progression and program outcomes. 
• %Field Experiences: Oversee all clinical teaching, field placements, internships, and residency pathways. 
• District Alliances: Establish strategic K-12 partnerships and manage MOUs across North Texas. 
• Pipeline Innovation: Strengthen teacher pipelines through innovative "grow-your-own" and residency models. 
• Holistic Support: Manage student success models spanning advising, TExES preparation, and job placement. 
• Stakeholder Engagement: Chair the mandated EPO Advisory Committee and engage regional community stakeholders. 
• Operational Efficiency: Streamline workflows and administrative structures to eliminate redundancy and increase clarity. 

Physical Requirements

Communicating with others to exchange information.

Environmental Hazards

No adverse environmental conditions expected.

Work Schedule

Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

Driving University Vehicle

No

Security Sensitive

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions

Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted. 

Benefits

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.

EEO Statement

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit –and takes actions to prevent – discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking), and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices, and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist, or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.