System Registrar

Rasmussen University; United States; On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The System Registrar at American Public University System oversees policies and students’ academic records across the System, working with division registration departments to ensure efficient data and records management. Strong communication is essential to maintain a dynamic and engaging environment.

Reporting to the Chief Academic Officer, this role collaborates with senior leaders to implement strategic academic and curricular initiatives and to ensure compliance with FERPA and federal

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years of registrar leadership experience.
• 7–10 years of supervisory/management experience in higher education.
• Master's degree required.
• Extensive knowledge of record-keeping, confidentiality, and FERPA.
• Experience designing and managing term-based academic structures and credit systems.
• Strong organizational and administrative abilities in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of latest higher-ed tech developments.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for Registrar Services.
• Lead policy development and ensure FERPA compliance across the System.
• Develop and manage system transcript and enrollment-related processes.
• Oversee vendor relationships and data management across the records system.
• Collaborate with leaders to provide staff development and system training.

Skills

Registrar leadership

Higher education administration

Policy interpretation

Data analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Written and verbal communication

Education

Master's degree

Tools

Student information systems (SIS)

Job description

The System Registrar is responsible for the management of academic policies and students’ academic records across the American Public University System. The System Registrar will work with the division registration departments across the System to implement efficient, consistent, and effective data management, student records management, and performance management practices. The System Registrar will need to have strong communication skills to ensure there continues to be a dynamic and engaging environment.

The System Registrar reports directly to the Chief Academic Officer. This role will work closely with the Chief Academic Officer and other leaders across the System to implement strategic academic and curricular initiatives. The System Registrar also collaborates across System leadership and with division leadership, including division registration departments.

About Us

American Public University System (the System) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. HLC accredits degree‑granting institutions nationwide and is also recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The System is comprised of American Military University, American Public University, Rasmussen University, and Hondros College of Nursing. The System is authorized by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and other appropriate agencies in the states where it has campuses. The System is authorized to operate as a postsecondary educational institution by the Illinois Board of Higher Education. American Public University System, Inc., which operates the System, is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Public Education, Inc. American Public University System, American Public University, and American Military University are not affiliated with American University or the U.S. Military.

Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for Registrar Services.
• Provide leadership in developing and implementing current and new policies for the System.
• Analyze policies across the System and lead policy development and revision as appropriate.
• Develop, implement, and maintain the system catalog publication and coordination with the division on a standard publication cycle.
• Develop and manage an annual department budget.

Policy & Procedure Implementation

• Lead collaborative efforts to unify Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) practices across the System.
• Interpret, communicate, monitor, and implement current policies and procedures in a fair and equitable way for students.
• Develop, implement, and maintain processes to manage overall vendor relationships for services managed through the records management processes [National Student Clearinghouse, Parchment, etc.].
• Develop, implement, and maintain standards for the system transcript.
• Develop and implement consistent processes for efficient fulfillment of transcript, transfer of credit, articulation standardization, enrollment verification, and background investigation requests.
• Identify and analyze the appropriate metrics for all services to ensure service level agreements are maintained across the System.
• Ensure compliance with all military benefits processing, VA certification, DOD MOU requirements and management of the various military portals in collaboration with the division registration and finance teams.
• Handle student escalations regarding System policy and procedures.

Academic Leadership & Strategy

• Lead and engage in conversation and pursuit of new technologies/consolidated technologies to enhance productivity, quality control, and student experience.
• Provide leadership to a team of registrar professionals to support various services provided through the system.
• Analyze academic retention policies across the System and lead to any recommended changes.
• Collaborate with system and division registration leaders to ensure staff members have professional development and system training opportunities.
• Participate in commencement exercises upon request.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Registrar’s office experience required (minimum 5+ years of registrar leadership).
• Minimum 7 to 10 years of successful supervisory and management experience in a complex higher education environment preferred.
• Master's degree required.
• Substantial knowledge of higher education’s record‑keeping practices, students’ rights concerning confidentiality, rules, regulations, procedures, online learning structure, purpose, and student development and learning theories.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and managing diverse higher education academic structures, including term-based and non-term formats, as well as quarter and semester hour systems, ensuring compliance with federal regulations and institutional standards.
• Well-developed organizational and administrative skills to prioritize projects in a fast-paced environment, including multiple projects and deadlines to complete in a timely manner.
• Knowledge of the latest technological developments in higher education preferred.
• Strong analytical skills to gather and analyze data, reason logically, draw valid conclusions, and make effective decisions/recommendations for self and staff.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and stakeholder engagement and collaborative leadership skills.
• Demonstrates accuracy, thoroughness, and monitors own work to ensure quality.

It is the policy of American Public University System to afford equal opportunity to all qualified persons. We treat all qualified individuals equally as to their recruitment, hiring, assignments, advancements, compensation, and all other terms and conditions of employment. American Public University System, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, or sensory disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you are a resident of a state with designated pay transparency requirements and this role is available remotely, you may be eligible to receive additional information about the compensation and benefits for this role, which we will provide upon request.