Manager, Accessibility

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The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Job Description

Job Profile Summary:

The Manager of Accessibility will lead and develop a team within WGU's Academic Programs department. The individual will ensure accessibility standards and processes are applied to the design and development of programs and courses. The individual will ensure that all students have an exceptional student experience regardless of ability level. The manager will effectively influence change in a highly matrixed organization while ensuring timelines and objectives of departmental strategies and initiatives are met in a timely manner.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

1. Develops and enforces standards for evaluating media content in courses for issues related to accessibility in support of projected Academic Programs' growth

2. Ensures majority of courses meet WGU accessibility standards and provides plan for migrating remaining courses to WGU accessibility standards

3. Consults with cross-functional teams regarding accessibility concerns, fostering the development and implementation of more inclusive digital learning solutions

4. Advocates for inclusivity, UDL, and accessibility across WGU curriculum and assessment to promote success for all students

5. Maintains up-to-date knowledge of current regulations and requirements for institutions, states and federal entities, best practices in UDL and accessibility, including WCAG, ADA, Sections 504 and 508, etc.

6. Conducts up-to-date accessibility/UDL related workshops, trainings, webinars, other professional development opportunities

7. Identifies process improvements that will result in the best potential outcomes for all stakeholders

8. Researches business strategies and recommends best practices and changes in technology related to the performance of accessibility in Academic Programs initiatives

9. Collaborates with internal teams for compliance and training to ensure best practices in design and development

10. Maintains open communication lines with cross-functional teams so that appropriate decisions can be made towards the creation of quality and inclusive digital solutions or alternatives for all learners in a timely manner

11. Ensures overall quality, consistency, and functionality of all work by team members to ensure a high level of performance and engagement of all team members

12. Provides measurable feedback to direct reports and suggestions for improved performance

13. Holds direct reports accountable to performance metrics

Knowledge, Skill and Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of ADA, Section 504, and Section 508 legislation; accessibility guidelines, including WCAG, ATAG, UAAG, and WAI-ARIA; and UDL principles
• Ability to organize, coordinate, and direct team activities and results
• Ability to coach and develop direct reports
• Ability to work effectively in a highly matrixed organization
• Ability to build relationships and influence at all levels
• Ability to be an agent of change in a rapidly changing environment
• Proven ability to analyze data to identify trends and drive innovative process improvement
• Sound judgement and decision-making skills
• Communicates to improve and promote teamwork, decision making, and problem solving.
• Works cooperatively with others across the organization to achieve shared objectives.
• Deals comfortably with the uncertainty of change, and effectively handles risk.
• Confident under pressure - handles and manages crises effectively.
• Drives for Results: Has a strong outcomes-based orientation. Persists in accomplishing objectives despite obstacles and setbacks. Has a track record of successfully succeeding goals. Pushes self and helps others achieve results. Has a continuous improvement mindset.
• Builds Effective Teams: Forms teams with appropriate and diverse mixes of styles, perspectives, and experience. Establishes common objectives and a shared mindset. Creates a feeling of belonging and strong team morale. Shares wins and rewards team efforts. Fosters open dialogue and collaboration among the team. Creates a team that works well cross-functionally.
• Organizational Learning: Learns quickly when facing new situations. Experiments to find new solutions. Takes on challenges of unfamiliar tasks. Extracts lessons-learned from failures and mistakes. Expands knowledge base through ongoing curiosity.

Competencies:

Organizational Impact:

• Manages a team that focuses on executing the operational plans for the job area with measurable contribution to the achievement of results of the department, function, or office.
• Assigns and distributes work.
• Compiles data to prepare budgets.

Problem Solving and Decision Making:

• Responsible for making moderate improvements of processes or systems to enhance performance of the job area.
• Assignments received and problems faced are broad and undefined, and occasionally require use of analytical concepts, investigation, and knowledge from prior experience.

Communication and Influence:

• Communicates within job area and occasionally with external groups. External facing professionals (i.e. Admissions) communicate more regularly with external groups on routine matters.
• Ensures compliance with University policies and procedures within job area and may influence others outside of job area to justify and gain cooperation for policies, practices, and procedures.

Leadership and Talent Management:

• Manages/Supervises a team of professionals. Manages the work of assigned employees and/or supervisors who generally exercise some latitude and independence in their assignments. Ensures proper training of team members, and participates in hiring, firing, and promotion decisions. Conducts performance reviews and may recommend salary reviews.
• May complete assignments that are technical in manner in addition to supervising others.

Job Qualifications:

Department Specific Minimum Qualifications:

• 3+ years leading and managing people, teams, or projects
• Higher education experience (preferred)
• Bachelor's degree (master's degree preferred)
• Strong experience leading accessibility compliance initiatives

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Disclaimer: This Job Description has been designed to indicate the general nature, essential duties, and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this classification. It does not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications that are required of the employee to do this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. This Job Description does not constitute a contract of employment and the University may exercise its employment-at-will rights at any time.

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Position & Application Details

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It's not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.