Associate Vice Provost of Educational Initiatives and Innovation

Description

The University of Montana invites applications for an Associate Vice Provost of Educational Initiatives and Innovation . Supporting the vision and goals of the University of Montana, the Associate Vice Provost (AVP) reports to the Vice Provost of Educational Initiatives and Innovation (VPEII) and is a trusted senior advisor to the VPEII and Provost’s office. The AVP is an innovative leader who fosters relationships with the University and community and ensures responsiveness to education and workforce needs. Working in close concert with constituents and community partners, the AVP will leverage and expand an existing portfolio of online academic programs and non-credit professional learning experiences to increase enrollments and forge reciprocal relationships that advance learning in creative and entrepreneurial ways for non-traditional students. The AVP is responsible for the development, marketing, implementation, administration, and financial success of a wide variety of credit and non-credit programs within the University. This position carries broad responsibilities aimed at driving educational excellence, innovation, and continuous evolution across all academic levels. Collaborating closely with university leadership, this position will play a pivotal role in implementing innovative practices and programs. The AVP exercises considerable judgment to solve problems, manage projects, and act on behalf of the VPEII across the academic leadership team and the University community.

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action : Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always'; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

Planning and Administration

• Under the direction of the VPEII, the AVP provides leadership to operationalize and advance the University’s strategies related to excellence and innovation, aligning with the institution’s educational vision.
• The AVP manages the day-to-day operations and projects of the VPEII sector, including supervising professional staff and working with the UM community engaged in VPEII sector projects, and sets staff program and enrollment goals.
• The AVP works with campus departments and the community to support program development and implementation in concert with both university and college policies and procedures.
• The AVP serves as an empathetic and caring leader for the Office of Educational Initiatives and Innovation and is committed to the professional development and well-being of each team member.

Research and Outreach

• The AVP helps develop partnerships, collaborations and program opportunities through outreach activities;
• Attends university-wide committees/events to represent the Office of Educational Initiatives and Innovation in the absence of the VPEII;
• Works with key University functional areas including but not limited to: President and Provost offices, marketing, registrar, admissions, facilities, finance & operations, IT, etc.;
• Works collaboratively to help assess market demand for programs and certificates; utilizes strategic innovation to use data as a basis for decision making;
• Assists teams with determining needs for new or revised programs to strategically develop, implement and evaluate plans that meet program enrollment and revenue objectives;
• Identifies and leads the development of new programs or revision of existing programs to meet local workforce needs;
• Evaluates industry sectors for market penetration strategies based on market research and competitive analysis of similar programs in the assigned industry area;
• Establishes and develops partnerships, collaborations and program opportunities through outreach activities and relationship building with campus and community partners;
• Promotes University programs locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally; and,
• Engages in outreach efforts to recruit prospective and serve admitted students (may include travel).

Communications

• The AVP represents UM’s Office of Educational Initiatives and Innovation to elected officials, government agencies, Tribal leaders, non-profit leaders and the broader public, advocating for key priorities and initiatives;
• Oversees the production of high-quality reports, white papers, and perspective pieces on Educational Initiatives and Innovation at the University;
• Participates in select, high-visibility conferences, seminars, and workshops;
• Represents UM on boards and at local, regional, state, national and international meetings, conferences, and workshops;
• Oversees and works closely with marketing, communications, and other partners to develop and publish communications and outreach campaigns and materials consistent with the Office of Educational Initiatives and Innovation’s mission and vision.

Strategic Planning and Leadership

• The AVP regularly compares the Office of Educational Initiatives and Innovation outcomes and overall effectiveness to the mission, vision, priorities for action and playbook and recommends changes accordingly;
• Develops, evaluates, and recommends changes in administrative models, policies, and procedures;
• Identifies and resolves problems and issues and directs measures to improve effectiveness and efficiency of areas reporting to the VPEII;
• Works with the CFO’s office to support VPEII’s vision on new revenue generation;
• Oversees, in partnership with the VPEII, the development and maintenance of a comprehensive multi-year sector plan for the Office of Educational Initiatives and Innovation;
• Oversees and directs special initiatives and projects; and,
• Coordinates or assumes other duties or projects as assigned or directed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in any field and six (6) years of experience demonstrating increasing leadership responsibilities and creative accomplishment in educational programs and development which includes four (4) years of supervisory experience OR, any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.
• Knowledge of the following: higher education practice and policies, educational philosophy, curriculum design, online learning, program innovations and university programs (including domestic and international).
• A vision for the importance of innovation in the future of higher education and a demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic plans for educational innovation.
• Strong skills in design thinking and in establishing co-design practices for the development of innovative learning experiences.
• Demonstrated experience in utilizing educational innovation to build opportunities for inclusive prosperity.
• Proven entrepreneurial skills or demonstrated ability to administer a financially successful self-support program.
• Strong collegial and interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively to internal and external constituents.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to assess potential program viability and key performance indicators
• Must have supervised budgets and personnel
• Ability to maintain creativity, poise and strategic focus when facing constant challenges and change

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Business, Education, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated ability to work with community and/or international partners on complex training needs.
• Demonstrated experience with leading strategy for online and hybrid learning platforms.
• Demonstrated experience with designing and implementing interdisciplinary and experiential learning innovations at scale.
• Demonstrated record in identifying and engaging key strategic external partners (individual or institutional) to build effective collaborative initiatives to deliver programs, curriculum, industry partnerships, etc. Ability to pull together many different constituencies, from both the public and private sectors.
• Ability to translate strategic imperatives into actionable plans.
• Knowledge of international cultures and partnerships.

Additional Information

Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, MUS Contract and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.

Screening of applications will begin after the closing date of July 18, 2024 ; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

• Letter of Interest – addressing the stated required skills for the position
• Detailed resume listing education and describing work experience
• Three (3) professional references - Names and contact information