Vice Provost for Strategy and Implementation

The Vice Provost for Strategy and Implementation (VPSI) advises, supports, assists, coordinates, and collaborates on initiatives for the Provost. The position manages short- and long-term critical priorities, initiatives and activities, and represents the interests and priorities of the Office of the Provost through effective communication, coordination and integration of objectives. This position requires balancing and influencing multiple competing priorities and individuals. The VPSI is responsible for the central coordination of all functions and activities of the Provost Office. Working with the Vice Provosts and Associate Provosts, the VPSI provides leadership and direction for change management initiatives, project management, and program development on behalf of the Provost.

In collaboration with the executive team, the VPSI will provide strategic and timely advice and guidance to the Provost to ensure success in the overall management of the Office of the Provost. The VPSI may represent the Provost in selected internal and external interactions with staff, committees, government representatives and community leaders, and may manage and advise the Provost and his staff on day-to-day operations, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness and optimizing the use of available resources. Additionally, the VPSI will oversee ongoing projects supporting the Provost's agenda to ensure that all are effectively progressing according to planned objectives, established milestones, and measurement criteria.

Duties to include:

• Facilitate the ability of the Provost to manage executive functions by advising the Provost regarding key constituencies, providing context and background information on issues, and coordinating research, projects, meetings and initiatives, as assigned; work with the Provost to establish and oversee the successful implementation of strategic goals and priorities for a 12-month period and arrange reporting of priority projects on a regular basis.
• Support the development of a strategic vision for the Office of the Provost; represent and align the Provost’s portfolio in university-wide strategy planning processes; align efforts within the Office of the Provost with university priorities and goals.
• Work with the Office of the Provost’s Senior Leadership Team and academic deans to develop and coordinate the implementation of the Office of the Provost’s initiatives, including highly complex, multi-division efforts.
• Develop Senior Leadership Team meeting agendas and plan leadership retreat programs.
• Work closely with Provost's executive support staff to strategically plan the Provost’s attendance to internal and external events and ensure preparation of relevant documents and briefing material.
• Develop processes and timelines for managing flow and content of information to and from the office, and for effectively managing the Provost's time and keeping him on schedule.
• Establish excellent working relationships with key stakeholders, including Vice Provosts, Deans' offices, the President's office, and other key university administrative offices.
• Develop a good understanding of current issues and provide timely advice to the Provost.
• Represent the Provost at meetings when the Provost's attendance is not possible; attend selected meetings with the
• Provost and ensure that action items arising from these meetings are executed in a timely fashion.
• Help bring issues to the surface and ensure that they are considered, appropriate action is taken, and that the results communicated throughout the organization as appropriate and in a timely manner.
• In partnership with relevant Vice Provosts, manage or collaborate on events and initiatives related to faculty and staff professional development; leadership development; diversity, equity and inclusion; and workplace well-being.
• Manage special awards nominations.

Minimum Hiring Standards

• Minimum education requirements include a Master’s Degree.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant and successful work experience at a large, complex organization, preferably in higher education.
• Proven record of community commitment and involvement consistent with the important service of the mission of a public higher education institution.
• Experience in higher education policy, especially regarding trends and priorities.
• Proven and demonstrable leadership acumen, as demonstrated by strength of character, decisiveness, personal accountability and team-building capabilities, underpinning a commitment to institutional advancement over personal accomplishment.
• Excellent oral and written communication, with demonstrated competencies for interpersonal communication with high-level problem-solving skills, change management, and strategic planning.
• Demonstrable broad cultural competence and understanding of the need for inclusiveness and accessibility.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in managing and inspiring staff who have varying levels of administrative experience; staff recruitment and successful performance evaluation experience.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred hiring standards:

• PhD or other terminal degree
• Organizational excellence experience in strategic planning, project management, staff development, employee engagement, change management, service excellence and quality improvement.
• Experience in media communication and presentations.

Application Instructions:

As a preeminent national, urban, public research university and academic health center, Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to organizational diversity, equity and inclusion - an environment where all can thrive in their pursuit of excellence.

Applicants are requested to submit a Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (typically between 150-300 words) providing your career aspirations and contributions toward promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through this statement, you can share how your lived experiences; and past, present, and future academic and
professional activities have or will contribute to VCU’s mission of promoting equity and inclusion.

Note: Examples include working with others to further the goals of equity and inclusion; leading in any capacity that tangibly promotes an environment where diversity is welcomed, fostered, and celebrated; creative activity, research and scholarship that promotes equity and parity; teaching and mentoring students, and/or engaging with faculty and/or staff from traditionally underrepresented groups to create a positive and successful organizational experience.
More information can be found at https://provost.vcu.edu/faculty/prospective/

In addition, please provide submit a curriculum vitae, cover letter, diversity statement and the names and contact information of three professional references. For more information you can contact Charles Klink, Search Committee Chair at cjklink@vcu.edu

Candidates may be eligible for a faculty appointment depending upon qualifications and experience.

Position will remain open until filled, however for priority consideration please apply by December 8, 2021.

Salary Range: Minimum of $175,000
Department: Office of the Provost
Employment Type: UF - University Employee FT or Academic Administrator
Restricted Status: No
FTE: 1
Exemption Status: Exempt