Executive Director of Accessibility Compliance and ADA/Section 504 Coordinator

Michigan State University (MSU) seeks an experienced and strategic leader to serve as the Executive Director of Accessibility Compliance and ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (ED and ADA/Section 504 Coordinator) within the Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance (OCR). Reporting directly to the Vice President for OCR / Title IX Coordinator and Title VI Coordinator, this role provides university-wide leadership in advancing accessibility as a core institutional value, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations and shaping policies that foster an inclusive academic and working environment. The ED and ADA/Section 504 Coordinator serves as a member of the OCR executive leadership team and is responsible for providing strategic leadership for the Accessibility and ADA/Section 504 Coordinator branch (which includes the university’s Digital Accessibility team), serving as a collaborative thought-partner with university and community partners on accessibility topics and the development and implementation of policies related to accessibility.

The major areas of responsibility for the ED and ADA/Section 504 Coordinator include, but are not limited to, the following:

Strategic Direction and Operational Leadership
Lead and inspire a high-performing team to deliver strategic initiatives on time, fostering collaboration and innovation.
Translate university-wide priorities into actionable strategies for the Accessibility and ADA/Section 504 Coordinator branch that accelerate growth and enhance cross-functional impact in the area of accessibility.
As part of OCR executive leadership, collaborate in the development, implementation and monitoring of the OCR Strategic Framework.
Develop and manage the Accessibility and ADA/Section 504 Coordinator’s budget aligning it with the strategic framework, including working with the OCR Business Services team in the annual budget process and providing ongoing fiscal stewardship.
Champion the Accessibility and ADA/Section 504 Coordinator’s team and institute change management and other processes to support the team’s success.
Continuously monitor and improve disability and digital accessibility operations using data-informed metrics to measure progress and ensure initiatives meet the needs of the campus.

Disability and Accessibility Policy Implementation
Develop, implement, review and engage strategic partners in updating university-wide policies and internal protocols and processes regarding disability and digital accessibility in alignment and compliance with the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and other relevant laws.
Provide executive leadership and expertise regarding the university’s Digital Accessibility Policy and applicable compliance efforts.
Provide executive leadership and expertise for the university’s Disability and Accessibility Policies Training.
Complete student, employee and unit appeals in accord with the Disability and Reasonable Accommodation Policy.
Consult with and provide advice to community stakeholders regarding building and physical space accessibility compliance.
Provide expert consultation to members of the university community regarding disability and digital accessibility rights and responsibilities under the university’s policies and applicable laws and regulations.
Respond to concerns and complaints about building and physical space accessibility.
Carry out other delegated responsibilities related to disability and digital accessibility compliance.

Lead University-Wide Accessibility Initiatives
Proactively identify, develop and implement strategic initiatives in the area of accessibility that drive success for the overarching MSU strategic plan and the OCR strategic framework.
Serve as Chair of the President’s Advisory Committee on Disability Issues (PACDI) which is responsible for advising the president on university policies, programs and procedures affecting persons with disabilities in the university community.
In collaboration with university partners, plan and execute events (such as the annual Disability Summit and MSU Disability Pride Month) that elevate and highlight important and timely topics related to disabilities and accessibility for stakeholders from around the university and broader MSU community.
Provide executive leadership for the university-wide implementation of the MSU Digital Accessibility policy and the initiatives to ensure ongoing compliance with federal digital accessibility standards.

Engagement and Community Building
Serve as a liaison to build bridges to other university colleges, departments and units including serving as the university’s disability and accessibility compliance expert on cross-functional committees and teams (including, but not limited to, the Care and Intervention Team; the the Campus Infrastructure Planning Workgroup; the Fundamental Alteration Review Panel; the Emergency Management Advisory Committee; and the Campus Climate Survey Planning Committee.
Expand a culture of collaboration across the university by working with relevant stakeholders to create disability and digital accessibility compliance programs, tools and communications.
Interface with individuals at all levels of the university, including executive leadership, faculty and staff, students and external community members.
Develop a knowledge of the greater campus and university community to broaden the effectiveness and impact of OCR’s disability and digital accessibility work.
Partner with university and community partners to improve opportunities for individuals with disabilities at the university and surrounding region.
Represent the university with local, regional, conference and other workgroups focused on topics related to accessibility and the ADA in higher education.
Provide transparent communication and instill excitement around collaboration as a vehicle for OCR’s success.

Other Duties as Assigned