Registrar

Title: Registrar

Department/Location: Registrar's Office, Elsah 

Position Type: Full-time, 12 month

Summary

The Registrar supports the mission, goals, and objectives of the college and academic unit. Under the supervision of the Assistant Dean of Academic Services, the Registrar is responsible for implementation of the strategic direction, operations, and policies of a Registrar’s Office that serves students and the institution. This position provides leadership in interpreting and enforcing policies of the institution, provides and verifies the accuracy of data, and conducts research in academic records for use in institutional decision-making. The Registrar works closely with other Principia departments as a resource for information and as a liaison for ensuring the integrity of the student information system. Depending on qualifications, this position may be granted faculty status. 

Who We Are

At our award-winning Early Childhood through grade 12 Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education—blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia’s team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of alumni and friends. 

At Principia College, our globally-focused curriculum honors diverse perspectives and develops creative changemakers who use their academic skills for good in service to themselves, their communities, and the world. In-depth study meets real-world experience through study abroad programs, internships, capstone projects, and a robust slate of student activities, including a world-renowned mediation team, top-ranked solar car team, and the nation’s oldest student-run public affairs conference. 

Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued.

Primary Responsibilities

Leadership & Vision

• Works with supervisor to develop and implement long-term strategic plan for the Registrar’s Office aligned with the institution’s mission and strategic priorities
• Provides long range planning for meeting future Registrar’s Office needs
• Serves as thought partner on academic and student policies, advising institutional leadership when requested
• Serves as a primary FERPA resource, insuring training takes place in accordance with HLC requirements, and providing advice on FERPA related issues
• Serves as functional lead and ensures proper coordination of software and databases regarding student records such as Ellucian Banner, Argos, DegreeWorks, Kuali, and Courseleaf
• Ensures the Registrar’s office is innovative in its operations and functions to offer the best support to students and faculty
• Implements and enforces academic policies; collects and analyzes data for the college’s academic strategies and objectives

Organizational Management & Administration

• Trains, supervises, and evaluates Registrar’s Office personnel in performing Office services
• Maintains and oversees operational office schedule and oversees workflow and assignments including back up for critical procedures
• Provides continual outcomes-based assessment of Registrar’s Office performance, documentation of assessment results, and continuous improvement based on those assessments
• Responsible for oversight and administration of academic and student policies as they pertain to student records and maintenance of all academic information about Principia students
• Records, preserves, and distributes student academic records in accordance with professional and institutional standards of accuracy, integrity, security, and privacy
• Advises and supports students, faculty, and staff on academic and catalog issues
• Responsible for a Principia data custodian function in setting and maintaining institutional data usage policies
• Meets professional ethics and practice standards according to AACRAO

Institutional Collaboration

• Develops numerous professional relationships to engender trust and reliability with strong service orientation for a wide variety of constituencies
• Provides professional advice and data for administrators and various academic departments
• Evaluates academic standings for students and notifies and advises students and appropriate staff of findings
• Participates on academic committees and in policy meetings, providing expertise on the academic program policies, procedures, and status
• Participates or sends designee on College Curriculum Committee and Scholastic Committee as an integral resource
• Serves on College Curriculum Committee as integral resource and on Scholastic Committee and Data Governance as a voting member. Also serves on Scheduling, Retention Persistence & Completion, and others as assigned
• Supervises the management of academic misconduct reports, hearings, and petition processes

Core Competencies

Principia values the unique strengths each employee brings to their role. The following competencies are especially important for success at Principia:

• Continuous Learning & Expertise: Demonstrates mastery in your area of responsibility and seeks opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Accountability & Results Orientation: Manages time and priorities effectively, meets commitments, and consistently delivers high-quality outcomes.
• Problem Solving & Judgment: Approaches challenges thoughtfully, considers multiple perspectives, and makes sound, timely decisions that support institutional goals.
• Proactivity & Ownership: Takes initiative, anticipates needs, and drives projects forward with minimal supervision while taking responsibility for outcomes.
• Excellence & Attention to Detail: Produces accurate, polished, and high-quality work; continuously looks for ways to improve systems, processes, and results.
• Service Orientation: Builds positive, supportive relationships and responds promptly and professionally to the needs of students, colleagues, and other stakeholders.
• Collaboration & Collegiality: Works cooperatively across departments and teams; values input from others and contributes to a positive, respectful environment.
• Communication: Shares information clearly and concisely; listens carefully to others and adjusts communication style for different audiences and situations.
• Inclusion & Belonging: Demonstrates respect for all people; values diverse perspectives and fosters a culture of inclusion, belonging, and mutual respect.
• Leadership: Inspires and guides others with clarity, compassion, and accountability; supports individual and team growth in alignment with Principia’s mission and goals.
• Culture & Team Building: Fosters a culture of trust, collaboration, and open communication; demonstrates genuine care for team members’ well-being and development.
• Resource Stewardship: Manages budgets, time, and resources responsibly and strategically to achieve departmental and institutional objectives.

Minimum Qualifications

• Student of Christian Science preferred
• Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements as articulated here https://www.principia.edu/about/guiding-statements
• BA required; MA preferred
• 7 years of Registrar’s Office or equivalent experience required
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; demonstrated ability to work effectively in a closely integrated team
• 3 years managing teams, with demonstrated management and leadership skills
• Strong analytical thinking skills
• Strong technology and database skills or demonstrated ability to master complex software and relational database concepts and structures
• Ability to work constructively with students, faculty, staff, and parents
• Demonstrated accuracy, efficiency, initiative, and follow-through
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive situations with grace and discretion

The statements above describe the general nature and level of work but are not a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of Principia.  

Compensation and Benefits 

We offer a competitive starting salary range for this position: $90,500 - $102,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications. 

In addition to salary, our comprehensive total rewards package includes: 

• Generous Employee Tuition Discount: Enjoy a 90% discount on tuition (pro-rated for part-time staff) for your eligible children enrolled from Pre-K3 through College (infant and acorn programs excluded). 
• Relocation: Principia provides a relocation imbursement of up to 12% of your annual salary, when moving from outside a radius of more than 50 miles. 
• Professional Development: Access to learning opportunities, training programs, and career growth support. 
• Comprehensive Benefits: Learn more about all our benefits here, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, paid time off, a 403(b) retirement plan with Principia matching, and more. 

Equal Opportunity

Principia, a mission-driven institution, believes every person has the right to an equitable and respectful educational environment and workplace. Principia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender (identity or expression), sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, or military or veteran status. 

In hiring, admissions, and related decisions, Principia—as an institution with a religious mission—gives preference, where appropriate, to Christian Scientists.