Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

Belmont University—a private, Christ-centered higher-education institution in Nashville, Tennessee—seeks a proven leader to serve as Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. This is a newly configured role at Belmont University.

Reporting directly to the President, the EVP for Academic Affairs and Provost will serve as the Chief Academic Officer with responsibilities for all academic programs and for developing and implementing the academic priorities of the institution. This effort will require an exceptional ability to lead within a complex organization, a broad intellectual orientation and appreciation for future trends in higher education, a passion for the mission of higher education, a Christ-centered focus, and a collaborative and relational leadership style.

The EVP for Academic Affairs and Provost provides academic leadership and guidance while serving as a bridge between the academic and other units on campus to create an integrated and collaborative student experience. As a strategic leader, the EVP for Academic Affairs and Provost guides the academic direction of the University and fosters a cohesive leadership team across all academic and administrative support units.

This role advises the President on matters of educational policy and development of the University’s teaching, research and community service and outreach programs. The EVP for Academic Affairs and Provost serves as a key member of the Executive Leadership team.

The EVP for Academic Affairs and Provost must be an effective and collaborative executive, gifted with analytical skills and possessing the capacity to foster a rich entrepreneurial campus environment and the ability to effectively communicate the institution’s vision, mission, values and priorities. 

Overseeing the academic mission of the University, the EVP for Academic Affairs and Provost is responsible for ensuring the integrity of its programs and services including institutional effectiveness, academic assessments, accountability, operation, direction, and supervision of all academic areas. In addition to the Vice Provost and Associate Provosts for Assessment/Institutional Research and Interdisciplinary Studies/Global Education and the Vice President for Enrollment, the deans of Belmont’s 13 colleges report to the Provost: Massey College of Business, Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business, Inman College of Health Sciences & Nursing, College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, College of Sciences & Mathematics, College of Theology & Christian Ministry, College of Music & Performing Arts, College of Law, College of Pharmacy, O’More College of Architecture & Design, Watkins College of Art, College of Medicine and College of Education.

• The ideal candidate will have a strong orientation to Christ-centered higher education; a history of leadership excellence in higher education settings; demonstrated leadership in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging; a strong reputation as a scholar/teacher with impeccable integrity; a collaborative leadership style; an advanced terminal degree, and credentials appropriate for appointment as a tenured professor at Belmont University.

Responsibilities

Job responsibilities include:

• Develops and supports continuing assessment and improvement of all academic initiatives, including work with the leaders of Belmont’s five strategic pathways
• Initiates and reviews curricular reforms
• Supports actively the goals of excellence in all areas of teaching, scholarship and service
• Monitors operations and functions supporting academic programs
• Supports professional development for faculty through partnership with the leader of Belmont’s Strategic Pathway 1 (Whole Person Formation)
• Encourages Inclusive Excellence in partnership with the leader of Belmont’s Strategic Pathway 4 (Fostering Inclusive
• Excellence to help Re-Weave the Social Fabric)
• Responsible for the quality and growth of the faculty and academic support staff
• Responsible for the student educational experience including retention, revenue growth, the management of personnel and the budget, and the promotion of scholarly activity and sponsored research
• Oversees strategic trajectories of the colleges and for the university and guides academic innovation and change in curricula and promotes new programs and emergent fields, using appropriate technology in its fulfillment
• Works with Deans, etc. to develop academic budget and ensures all academic budgets stay balanced
• Ensures fiscal responsibility for use of all funds allocated for educational programs
• Advises the President on personnel matters related to academic areas, such as hiring, promotion, and tenure
• Works collaboratively with other administrators to create university -wide support systems for academic affairs
• Works collaboratively with all areas within the University
• Performs other job-related tasks as directed

Desired Qualities:

• Embodiment of Christ-centered vocation through commitment, service, and leadership
• Demonstrated commitment to academic excellence
• Demonstrated leadership in promoting inclusion and diversity in staff, faculty and student populations
• Evidence of successful academic planning and implementation, program development and evaluation, and personnel and budget management
• Uncompromised personal and professional integrity
• Ability to assume chief executive responsibilities in the absence of the president
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills
• A distinguished record of intellectual leadership or scholarship
• Eligibility to warrant appointment in an academic unit as full professor
• Evidence of successful administrative experience in an academic environment
• Leadership in developing/articulating an academic vision within a complex institution
• Strong financial management skills with the ability to make strategic budget decisions within limited resources
• Ability to listen to divergent views while building consensus and collegiality

Belmont University seeks to attract and retain highly qualified faculty and staff who share the University’s values and will contribute to its mission and vision to be a leader among teaching universities bringing together the best of liberal arts and professional education. During the application process, applicants will be asked to attach a response to Belmont University’s Mission, Vision, Values, and “Five Ways of Being” articulating how the candidate’s knowledge, experience, and beliefs have prepared him/her to contribute to a Christ-centered, student-focused university of learning, and service.

Located two miles from thriving downtown Nashville, Tennessee, Belmont University consists of more than 8,800 students who come from every state and 33 countries. Nationally recognized for its innovative approach and commitment to undergraduate teaching, Belmont is a Christ-centered, student-focused community intent on developing diverse leaders of purpose, character, wisdom and a transformational mindset who are eager and equipped to make the world a better place. In the classroom and beyond, the University aims to empower students, faculty and staff to become radical champions for helping people and communities to flourish. Five key themes undergird the University’s vision and help differentiate a Belmont education: the pursuit of 1) whole person formation, 2) data-informed social innovation, 3) an integrative approach to health and wellness, 4) hope and inclusive excellence to help reweave the social fabric and 5) storytelling that inspires the world with messages of truth, beauty and goodness.

While committed to being global citizens, Belmont also seeks to be a great neighbor, engaging with and serving Nashville and the broader Middle Tennessee region as a trusted community partner. The University’s location in the heart of the Tennessee’s capital – and Nashville’s growing reputation as one of the nation’s most dynamic, creative and inviting cities – provides the perfect backdrop for an amazing higher education experience in a community known as “the Athens of the South.” With more than 115 areas of undergraduate study, 41 master’s programs and five doctoral degrees, Belmont University provides an unparalleled environment for students to become all they were created to be.

To learn more about Belmont University, visit www.belmont.edu or review the institution’s 2021 President’s Report:
Click Here

An electronic version of a Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae, and a Response to Belmont’s Aspirational Aim and Strategic Pathways

must be attached to complete the online application. 

Belmont University is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse learning community of committed Christians from all racial and ethnic backgrounds. Consistent with applicable civil rights law, the University seeks employees of Christian faith who are committed to the mission of the University. Belmont’s Office of Human Resources will conduct ongoing evaluations of the means by which candidates for employment are sought, to the end that the pool of candidates will include qualified women, minorities, veterans and disabled individuals

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Please refer any questions to Dr. Susan West via email at susan.west@belmont.edu

The selected candidate for this position will be required to complete a background check satisfactory to the University.