Director of Policy

Thank you for your interest in employment with Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE), System Administration and System Computing Services. We want your application process to go smoothly and quickly. We ask that you keep in mind the following when completing your application:

• Draft applications are saved automatically and can be accessed through your candidate home account.

• Final applications must be submitted prior to the close of the recruitment. Once a recruitment has closed, applications will no longer be accepted.

If you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please contact our Human Resources department at (775) 784-4901.

Job Description

The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) invites applications and nominations for the position of Director of Policy. This is a renewable, full-time, non-tenured, administrative position and reports to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs. The position may be physically located in either Las Vegas or Reno, Nevada.

The NSHE is comprised of eight institutions: three universities, four community colleges and a research institute. The public system of higher education in Nevada continues to experience growth with significant opportunities in serving over 105,000 students and 15,000 employees.

The primary duties of the position include the responsibility for research and development of Board policy and the review and revision of the Board of Regents’ Handbook and NSHE Procedures and Guidelines Manual. The position must work closely with system leadership, NSHE institutional representatives and leadership, and other higher education stakeholders in developing policy proposals for consideration by the Board of Regents.

Under system leadership, the Director of Policy develops higher education policies for consideration by the state legislature as it relates to the management of the Board’s legislative priorities and other interim policy matters. During legislative years this position will be responsible for working closely with NSHE Government Relations in tracking legislation and responding to requests for information from legislative and executive branch agencies.

In addition, the position will prepare materials in support of policy deliberations, including, but not limited to, writing reports, white papers, briefing and summary documents; compiling information related to policy matters from other states, systems, and institutions that can be used in developing NSHE policies and procedures; providing leadership of various stakeholder groups from across the system (e.g. Veteran Services Directors, NV-SAN); serving as the primary state portal entity contact for the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) and for NC-SARA participation; representing the system on external committees (e.g. Interagency Council on Veterans Affairs); and taking the lead on various Systemwide initiatives and reports to the Board and Legislature.

Other duties of the Director of Policy include facilitating the construction of agendas for the Board of Regents’ Academic, Research and Student Affairs (ARSA) committee and submitting agenda items for the main Board agenda; facilitating the construction of the Academic Affairs Council agenda and review of incoming academic and organizational proposals; leading various Systemwide initiatives and reports to the Board and Legislature; and overseeing the annual Regents Award selection process.

SALARY/GRADE: This position offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with the candidate’s education, experience, and certification/training. In addition to base salary*, employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: includes health, dental, vision, and life insurance. Additionally, an employer paid long term disability plan is included.

• Outstanding Retirement Plan: professional employees are required to participate in the 401(a) Retirement Plan Alternative (RPA). Employee contributions of 19.25% are matched 100% by the employer and employees experience an immediate vesting in the plan. Employees who currently or previously participated in Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) of Nevada may be eligible to continue in the PERS plan.

• Paid Leave: generous annual leave (accrual of 2 days per month), sick leave (granted 30 days at time of hire), 12 paid holidays, and paid family leave.  

• Education Benefit: employees and their qualified dependents may take advantage of a tuition savings benefit. Faculty may take up to six credits per semester at a reduced rate and their dependents may access an unlimited number of credits, if they meet specific criteria.

• Additional Perks: Employee assistance programs and professional development opportunities.

*Pursuant NSHE Policy: “Initial placement must fall between the minimum salary and Q2/median/mid-range on the applicable salary schedule.” To view the salary range for this position, please visit: Salary Schedules and select NSHE Administrative Salary Schedule, Grade D.  

APPROXIMATE STARTING DATE: September 1, 2026

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A Master’s or a professional degree from a regionally accredited institution with five years of higher education experience in compliance and academic or student affairs directly applicable to the position, including experience supervising employees.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Successful candidates must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities. Recommend that applicants for this position address some of the following elements in the resume or cover letter:

• Public policy making, including knowledge of higher education and the Nevada Legislature;

• NSHE Board policy, state and federal laws relating to higher education;

• Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS);

• Drafting policies, procedures and guidelines; and

• Institutional experience in academic and/or student affairs.

• Exercise judgement to solve administrative problems where the answer is not apparent;

• Communicate effectively in both an oral and written manner;

• Present information in a public setting to various constituencies, including the Board of Regents, legislative committees, local boards, etc.;

• Adhere to stringent deadlines;

• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with staff members, and administrators;

• Process large amounts of information and break it down into critical elements;

• Determine most appropriate format for conveying information as it relates to other critical processes within the NSHE;

• Resolve problems, analyze and apply laws, regulations, theories and methodology, and program specifications, plan and evaluate activities, research and programs, research, analyze, apply and articulate results; and

• Build consensus with stakeholders, including institutional faculty, staff and administrators.

• Using a variety of computer applications and reporting tools (e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation and report applications);

• Setting priorities which accurately reflect the relative importance of job responsibilities;

• Working independently and following through on assignments with minimal direction; and

• Analyzing information, problems, situations, practices or procedures to define a problem or objective, identify relevant concerns or factors, identify patterns, tendencies and relationships, formulate logical and objective conclusions, and recognize alternatives and their implications.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The duties of this position will include, but not be limited to, the following areas of responsibility:

• Research and develop Board policies – conduct and compile research as it relates to the codification and implementation of Board policy and NSHE procedures and guidelines; draft policy and procedures; work with all stakeholders to formulate policy and procedural recommendations; maintain policy central.

• Monitor policy developments at the state and federal level – keep abreast of impacts to the NSHE system and institutions and take appropriate action for System compliance

• Build reports and presentations – create materials for the Board and Nevada Legislature as well as other internal and external audiences; assist in review of other System-produced reports.

• Serve as the State Portal Entity contact for State Authorization and Reciprocity Agreements (SARA); manage the approval process for institution participation; monitor federal regulations as they pertain to distance and online education.

TO APPLY: The application process will be managed through the Workday on-line search process. Application materials must include a current resume, detailed cover letter, and names, addresses and telephone numbers of four professional references willing to be contacted. Applicants should fully describe qualifications and experience, since the initial review will serve to evaluate applicants based on documented, relevant qualifications and professional work experience. Applications will be considered incomplete without all requested materials. References will only be contacted for those who advance to the final phase of the search and with prior consent of the applicant. The review of materials will begin immediately. Materials should be addressed to Sherry Olson, Human Resources, and are to be submitted via on-line application at http://system.nevada.edu/Careers/index.htm  For assistance with NSHE’s on-line applicant portal, contact Sherry Olson at (775) 784-4901.

INTERNAL APPLICANTS:  Current employees within the Nevada System of Higher Education MUST use the “Find Jobs” process within Workday to find and apply for jobs at NSHE institutions. Once you log into Workday and type “Find Jobs” in the search box which will navigate to the internal job posting site. Locate the specific job posting by typing the requisition number (e.g., R0000000) in the search box.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications may be submitted until the position is filled. The review of materials will begin immediately, however, for full consideration applications should be submitted by Sunday, August 9, 2026.

For more information about the Nevada System of Higher Education, please visit our website at www.nevada.edu. The Nevada System of Higher Education hires only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. The NSHE is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, age, creed, national origin, veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Exempt

Yes

Full-Time Equivalent

100.0%

Required Attachment(s)

Application materials must include a current resume, detailed cover letter, names, addresses, and telephone numbers of four professional references willing to be contacted. 

Posting Close Date

Note to Applicant

A background check will be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.

References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process.

As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.

All document(s) must be received on or before the closing date of the job announcements.  Schedules are subject to change based on organizational needs.

HR will attempt to verify academic credentials upon receipt of hiring documents.