Executive Director (ACPE)

Starting salary may vary depending on the location and experience of the selected candidate, but will be no less than $4,514.25 biweekly ($117,370.50 annually).

Executive Director/Officer (ACPE/ASLC)

The Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) and the Alaska Student Loan Corporation (ASLC) are seeking an Executive Director/Executive Officer to lead and be responsible for the overall culture, mission, health and success of the two organizations. The Executive Director/Officer works closely with the 14-member Commission and 5-member Corporation Board and is principally responsible for developing and presenting recommendations to both bodies regarding the efficient and effective execution of the agencies' statutory charges.

As the Higher Education Agency for the State of Alaska, ACPE advances policy and fosters collaboration to build a skilled workforce that meets the needs of communities and employers, supporting economic development across the state. The Executive Director will establish these policies, goals, and objectives and oversee their implementation and achievement in support of the strategic plan approved by the board. They will manage communication with the Governor, Legislature, public, education and investment communities, ensuring the Commission and Corporation's best interests are being served. They will be accountable for the successful management of the loan portfolio, accounting and control, and administrative support activities related to Alaska’s state education loan, scholarship, and grant programs. The Director is responsible for statewide outreach and awareness/preparedness of postsecondary opportunities, as well as serving jointly with the President of the University of Alaska as the Alaska State Higher Education Executive Officer (SHEEO).

The Executive Director will ensure the organizational culture is supportive and inclusive. They will lead a variety of public sector employees and engage in partnerships with far reaching external constituencies. They will provide public presentations to audiences supporting the work of the agency and encouraging participation in postsecondary education in Alaska.

Established in Alaska Statute, ACPE provides sustainable solutions for college, career and technical training. Located in both Anchorage and Juneau, ACPE staff are committed to reaching its Vision: Alaskans are educated and skilled contributors to our vibrant communities and economy. The Executive Director/Officer position may be based out of ACPE’s Juneau or Anchorage Office. The Juneau Office is conveniently located in the Vintage Business Park area of Mendenhall Valley, convenient to shopping, banks, post office, restaurants and other frequented businesses, with plenty of available parking. The Anchorage Office is conveniently located near grocery stores, a post office, and a plethora of eateries and other frequented businesses, with plenty of available parking. This position requires the ability to travel regularly, both within Alaska and out of State.

Consisting of the following divisions: Executive Office, Finance, Information Support Services, Program Operations, and Communications & Outreach, ACPE is comprised of hard-working Alaskans supporting the postsecondary education and career funding needs of Alaskans. ACPE’s core responsibilities include Administering State Grants and Scholarships, providing education loans, Institutional Authorization & Consumer Protection, and postsecondary education communication & outreach resources.

ACPE established four Strategic Priorities in support of its mission and vision:

1. Become the education lender of choice in Alaska and for Alaskans.
2. Increase access to, and utilization of, federal and state education funding sources.
3. Operate a sustainable organization responsive to students, customers, stakeholders, and employees.
4. Position ACPE to help bridge the education gap in Alaska’s current and future workforce needs.

Desired Qualities of the Executive Director/Officer:

• Practical knowledge of policy issues and opportunities of greatest importance to ACPE's and ASLC's mission in Alaska and commitment to advancing the strategic priorities approved by the Board.
• Understanding of laws, regulations, policies, practices and procedures of the Alaska state financial aid programs.
• Strong understanding of financial management, budgeting, and the intricacies of student loan programs to ensure fiscal responsibility and sustainability.
• Working knowledge of Federal and state laws, loan documents related to student financial aid, education loans and consumer lending programs, and data privacy.
• Excellent communication skills to advocate for the agency’s mission, build partnerships, and engage stakeholders, including government officials, educational institutions, and the public.
• Demonstrated experience in leadership theories, principles and techniques, to include change management.
• Operational knowledge of Board and policy-level governance and organization.
• Familiarity with State of Alaska government, institutions and public policy issues to effectively navigate and influence legislative and regulatory environments.

Strong capacity to:

• Think creatively.
• Communicate clearly, effectively and candidly in writing and in public presentations, and to tailor these efforts to various audiences but particularly to lay people and policy makers.
• Apply management theory and practices.
• Negotiate and problem solve.
• Demonstrate exceptional interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with staff, board members, legislators, the general public, etc.
• Provide presentations to and establish relationships with the Alaska State Legislature in order to advance legislation supportive of ACPE’s/ASLC’s mission.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with the Commission and Corporation Board Members.

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution required.

Desired Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution in Business Administration, Finance or a closely related field (master's degree preferred).

AND

At least six years of related executive-level management experience in the education or consumer lending industry, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the equivalent of those essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

OTHER INFORMATION

This is a fully exempt job class under AS 39.25.110(11).

Additional Required Information

INTERVIEW

Applicants invited for an interview will be required to provide the following at time of interview:

• List of three (3) professional references including current daytime phone numbers.
• Copies of your two (2) most recent performance evaluations.
• Proof of degree.

COVER LETTER

A COVER LETTER IS REQUIRED TO BE ATTACHED TO YOUR APPLICATION IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION.

If you do not attach a cover letter, your application will be considered incomplete and it will not advance to the next phase of the recruitment and selection process. The cover letter should be in standard business format, and specifically address your experience as it pertains to the desired qualities of the Executive Director/Officer.

The cover letter will be considered a writing sample and will be used, along with the application package, to determine if an applicant is qualified for this position and which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process.

EDUCATION

If postsecondary education is being used to meet minimum qualifications you must complete the Education and Training section of the application and attach your transcripts or diploma (whichever is necessary to verify eligibility) to your application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of credit hours earned in the Degrees Obtained field. If postsecondary education is being used to meet minimum qualifications and you do not attach transcripts or a diploma your application will be considered incomplete and it will not advance to the next phase of the recruitment and selection process.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements, if applicable. If utilizing this education you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university.

It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

SPECIAL NOTICE: PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

An applicant's response to the minimum qualification question must be supported by the job application.

This position is in the exempt service, is exempt from the State Personnel Act, and is not covered by the terms of a collective bargaining agreement. As a result, ACPE may choose to fill this position as soon as a qualified applicant is identified. Not all the generic information in the state recruitment announcement applies to ACPE recruitments and positions. Individuals should contact ACPE to ask specific questions about terms and conditions of employment. While ACPE is in the Department of Education and Early Development for administrative support services only, the Commission and its staff are not subject to the direction of the Commissioner of Education and Early Development nor the State Board of Education.

This recruitment may be used for more than one (1) vacancy. The applicant pool acquired during this recruitment may be used for future vacancies for up to ninety (90) days after this recruitment closes. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply to each recruitment notice to ensure consideration for all vacancies.

Applicants who have any type of educational loan with the Commission must be current in payments to be considered for employment. A routine background check will be conducted on those applicants interviewed and under serious consideration for the position.

Contact Information

WORKPLACE ALASKA APPLICATION QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE

Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll free) or (907) 465-4095 if you are located in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to recruitment.services@alaska.gov.

For specific information in reference to the position please contact:

Ms. Grace Newman
Administrative Assistant
Email: grace.newman@alaska.gov
Voice: 907-465-6673
Confidential Fax: 907-465-6839
TTY: Dial 711 or 800-770-8973

#J-18808-Ljbffr