Director of Academic Affairs

About Theoria Technical College Theoria Technical College (TTC) is a private postsecondary institution based in Carlsbad, California, approved by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). TTC offers an Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education and a stackable suite of certificate programs in Early Childhood Education. Instruction is delivered fully online and via hybrid formats. TTC received ACCJC Candidacy status in February 2026 and is preparing for its initial accreditation site visit in October 2026. The institution also aligns its operations with ACCET standards and CDA / California Title 22 requirements, and is actively positioning for U.S. Department of Education Title IV readiness. We are a small, mission-driven team building a first-in-class early childhood education pipeline for the California workforce. This is a rare opportunity to help shape an institution at its most formative stage. Position Summary The Director of Academic Affairs provides day-to-day operational leadership for TTC's academic function in close partnership with the Chief Academic Officer (CAO), the President. The Director is the hands-on driver of academic policy, faculty oversight, curriculum quality, student learning outcomes assessment, distance education compliance, and accreditation evidence production. The Director is expected to translate institutional strategy into executable work plans, lead cross-functional coordination with Student Services, Operations, Institutional Research, and Compliance, and serve as a visible, accessible leader for faculty and Academic Affairs team members. This role is structured as a senior academic leadership seat with a clear pathway for professional growth. Strong performance in this role positions the Director as a natural candidate for consideration for the Chief Academic Officer seat as the institution grows. Key ResponsibilitiesAccreditation & Compliance Serve as the operational lead for ACCJC Follow-Up Report preparation and the October 2026 site visit, including authoring and assembling evidence exhibits under CAO direction. Articulate and defend ACCJC Standards the federal Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI) framework (34 CFR §600.2), ACCET standards, and BPPE regulations to faculty, staff, and visiting evaluators. Maintain audit-ready evidence files, evidence indexes, and self-evaluation documents; organize binders by standard and exhibit. Lead RSI monitoring cycles across all distance education courses, including scheduled audits and documented interventions. Academic Policy & Institutional Governance Own day-to-day stewardship of the Institutional Policy Manual (IPM) Section 4 (Academic Affairs). Draft, review, and recommend policy revisions; ensure policies are current, consistent, and reflected accurately in the college catalog and syllabi. Staff the formal Curriculum Committee, including agenda preparation, minutes, and recommendation tracking. Maintain the Academic Affairs Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) log and drive corrective action items to closure. Curriculum, Faculty, and Instructional Quality Oversee curriculum development, revision, and retirement processes in collaboration with the CAO and program faculty. Maintain faculty qualification files; ensure all instructors meet minimum qualification standards and are assigned based on documented credentials and experience. Coordinate faculty evaluations, instructional observations, and the professional development calendar. Ensure syllabus consistency, SLO alignment with PLOs, and alignment with CDA competency areas and Title 22 requirements. Student Learning Outcomes & Program Review Execute the institutional SLO assessment cycle: data collection, disaggregation, analysis, reflection, and documented improvement actions. Lead the institutional program review calendar; author program reviews for the ECE degree and certificate programs. Translate outcomes data into actionable recommendations for curriculum, pedagogy, and support services. Operations & Cross-Functional Leadership Direct the Academic Affairs team, including academic advising support; set priorities, delegate work, plan for absences, and manage follow-through. Partner with Student Services, Operations, Institutional Research, and Compliance to support data-driven planning. Own execution across TTC's academic platforms (LMS, SIS, syllabi, website, catalog, and official publications). Produce monthly written progress reports to the CAO and President.

Minimum Qualifications Education:

Master's degree in Education, Educational Leadership, a closely related field, or a field aligned with the institution's academic programs. Doctorate preferred.

Experience:

Five or more years of progressively responsible academic administration in an accredited postsecondary institution, including direct responsibility for policy, curriculum, or accreditation work.

Accreditation Fluency:

Demonstrable working knowledge of accreditation standards (ACCJC, ACCET, WASC, or comparable). Experience contributing to a self-study, follow-up report, or site visit cycle is required.

Distance Education:

Experience with online and hybrid course delivery, including familiarity with Regular and Substantive Interaction requirements.

Technical:

Proficiency with a learning management system (Orbund, Canvas, Moodle, or similar), student information systems, and modern office productivity tools.

Demonstrated:

Evidence of self-directed professional learning, precise written communication, consistent follow-through, and the ability to produce evaluator-ready documentation. Preferred Qualifications Experience at a private postsecondary institution or career/technical college. Experience with BPPE-approved institutions or California Community Care Licensing (Title 22) programs. Experience in Early Childhood Education or Child Development Associate (CDA) curriculum and credentialing. Prior leadership of a Curriculum Committee or equivalent governance body. Exposure to U.S. Department of Education Title IV requirements and institutional readiness activities. Spanish language ability is a plus, given the student and workforce population.

Work Arrangement, Compensation & Benefits Location:

Hybrid. The role is based in Carlsbad, California. On-site presence at TTC is required a minimum of two consecutive business days per week, with additional on-site time during critical accreditation and faculty events.

Hours:

Part-time. Standard business hours with occasional evening or weekend availability during site visits, accreditation cycles, or special events.

Compensation:

Competitive, commensurate with experience. Specific range will be discussed with qualified candidates during the interview process.

Benefits:

After60-day review

Start Date:

Target start May 15, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. Personal Attributes We Are Looking For A proactive executor — someone who sets the agenda rather than waits for it. A confident communicator — able to articulate regulatory frameworks and institutional policy in clear, everyday language. A closer — someone whose word is their bond and whose to-do list shrinks over time because items get done. A learner — someone who reads source materials independently, comes back with specific questions, and builds institutional memory. A collaborator — partners well with cross-functional peers without surrendering ownership of their own function. A steward — takes quality and student experience personally; notices and fixes the small things without being asked. How to Apply Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following materials as a single PDF to the Office of the President at

TTC:

Cover letter describing your interest in this role and your approach to leading an Academic Affairs function in an institution preparing for its first accreditation site visit. Current curriculum vitae or resume. A one-page writing sample demonstrating your ability to explain a regulatory or policy concept in clear, accessible language (for example, an institutional memo, a policy summary, or a substantive email to faculty). Three professional references (name, title, affiliation, email, phone, and relationship to you).

Submit to:

operations@theoriatechnical.com Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by May 8, 2026 Equal Opportunity & Accessibility Theoria Technical College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to maintaining a workplace free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request to support the application and interview process. To request an accommodation, please contact the Office of the President. — Theoria Technical College is a proud BPPE-approved institution and an ACCJC candidate for initial accreditation. —

Job Type:

Contract Pay:

$31.02 - $34.60 per hour

Work Location:

Hybrid remote in Carlsbad, CA 92008