Chief Academic Officer
Chief Academic Officer
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Job Description
The Opportunity
Post University invites applications for the position of Chief Academic Officer (CAO) Provost. The next CAO will join our community during a dynamic period in our institutional history. Post University is a thriving organization with an unfolding amazing success story centered on one mission changing the lives of its students and employees (associates). Our approach is simple authentic and unique. At Post University each day begins and ends with a demonstration of distinct behaviors unique to our culture and way of life.
Non-Negotiable Behavior Expectations:
At Post all leaders embrace demonstrating the right behaviors in all interactions all the time regardless of the audience whether associates students parents or other colleagues. Unlike other organizations these behaviors are a routine way of life especially for executives such as the CAO who serve as culture role brief no command and control seek first to understand no heroes no hierarchy collaborative relations and intentionality in driving the highest associate engagement are examples of how Post leaders show up daily as their best self for themselves and those on their teams.
The next Chief Academic Officer at Post University is a visionary and entrepreneurial executive who combines both strategic thinking and a solid business acumen in performing all role accountabilities in a manner that provides enriched personalized learning experiences for every student has overall accountability for delivery of learning experiences that set Post apart as a leader in the educational industry whether on-line or at its main campus operations and as a proven executive is fully engaged in diversity of thought ideas and execution in all areas of the institution. The CAO reports directly to the President/CEO and adds exceptional strategic value through collaborative partnering with all functional departments.
Post University is on a one-of-a-kind success journey to create a story thats second to none. Only those who embrace the pursuit of possibilities not the predictable need apply. For example Post University recently entered into a partnership with Universidad Andres Bello (UNAB). a private nonprofit university founded in Santiago Chile as a strategic decision aimed at enriching the quality and reach of educational programs globally with a focus in the United States and across Latin America. A fitting partner for Post UNAB boasts an unrivaled standard of excellence among its students and faculty. The Center for World University Ranking places UNAB in the top 6% of universities across the globe and UNAB remains one of only four Chilean universities recognized in the Academic Ranking of the World Universities. Post strongly believes that this type of global alliance will strengthen the depth and reach of higher education across the globe and sees this as an opportunity to strengthen its student exchange student experience and teaching opportunities. This executive will have a lead role in driving smart non-traditional international growth (on-line and main campus) using precise business analytics and data informed decision-making.
PostMakes It Personal
Post University is focused on providing the personal guidance and support students need to succeed in their studies personal lives their careers and beyond. From academics to athletics online options to on-campus classes and career-building degree programs to micro-credential opportunities we do everything we can to make students educational experience amazing.
Founded in 1890. For more than 130 years Post has focused on student success. That focus enables us to change with the times providing state of the art and innovative learning experiences for our students. Over 25 years ago Post University was a pioneer in the development of online education in Connecticut and among the first in the nation. Thanks to our ability to adapt to innovation Post is now the second largest school in Connecticut with thousands of students online main campus undergraduate and graduate programs.
Four Schools One Purpose. Post offers four schools and colleges to help you achieve career readiness and personal fulfillment:
American Sentinel College of Nursing & Health Sciences
John P. Burke School of Public Service and Education
Malcom Baldrige School of Business
Welcoming Community. Posts residential Campus is located in Waterbury Connecticut on 58 beautiful acres in t
he heart of New England. We are proud to offer the programs athletics and academic support you would find at an elite school as well as the dynamic culture and welcoming feel of a tight-knit community. We are also proud to offer many of the same advantages - academic support learning flexibility and a welcoming community-online as well.
Providing One-On-One Support. At Post our focus on making education personal extends to every step of the learning process from helping students make the most of their financial aid options to providing online tutoring support offering advice counsel and support when and where each student needs fact as soon as a student enrolls a dedicated team of personal advisors begin their role as a helpful resource. They help students complete the financial aid process choose the program that fits their needs and work with the student to align their education with their specific career objectives. These advisors coach students through to academic success and help with job search campaigns upon graduation.
NCAA. Post University is proud to be home to 21 NCAA Division II Sports. Division II athletics represents over 200 colleges and universities that provide thousands of student-athletes with the opportunity to compete at a high level of scholarship athletics while excelling in the classroom and fully engaging in the broader campus experience. This balance in which student-athletes are recognized for their academic success athletics contributions and campus/community involvement is at the heart of the Division II philosophy.
Awards and Recognition.
U.S. News & World Report has ranked 6 of Post Universitys online programs among the Best Online Programs for 2024.
Previously Post University was ranked among the Best Online Programs for the following:
- Best Online Graduate Business Programs
- Best Online Veterans Graduate Business Programs
- Best Online Graduate Education Programs and Best Online Graduate Education Programs for Veterans 2019 and 2022
- and 2018 Best Online Bachelors Programs
- 2018 Best Online Bachelors Programs for Veterans
Top Workplaces USA ranked Post University a 2025 Top Workplace 5 years running 2021-2025 and awarded Top Workplaces Work-life Flexibility Award 2025 as well as previously in 2024 and 2023.
Military Times Best for Vets has ranked Post University among the top institutions for military students recognizing it as the No. 16 primarily online university nationwide No. 4 in Connecticut and No.23 in the Northeaster in its 2024 rankings.
Chief Academic Officer Provost
Our next Chief Academic Officer will embody bold thinking revolutionary ideas backed by sound operational execution and a strong belief in excellence as the benchmark for success. As the CAO we expect a talented executive leader to instill a vivid vision of the academic enterprise activate each persons contribution to that vision execute said vision and structure accountability required for success. We seek a leader who prioritizes expects and requires from themselves and others an insightful and innovative approach to achieving exceptional student success results. This singular focus is why Post University has continued to excel within the educational sector.
A successful Chief Academic Officer at Post University believes this unique opportunity serves to help change lives for themselves their families and those who will benefit from their career contributions to society. Our CAO will function as the primary academic affairs strategist and catalyst to initiate coordinate communicate and build accountabilities for those responsible to execute the strategic plan.
We expect our next Chief Academic Officer to ensure an institutional framework is in place for an extraordinary teaching and learning experience. The alignment of strategic priorities with budgets organizational structure competencies and resources is also a critical priority. Effective leadership from this role includes a routine assessment of the relevance of existing programs coordinate the research of new program opportunities and ensure accountabilities for a well-coordinate roll-out that furthers Posts strategic mission and growth. As the Chief Academic Officer there is also an
expectation that data informed decision making is routine throughout all of academics.
The next Chief Academic Officer will spearhead a welcoming and inclusive campus environment that is distinct thriving and engaging both online and on campus. The development and implementation of a strategic plan to improve student engagement and enrollment is also vital to the success of the next CAO. The CAO is an exceptional communicator who routinely analyzes and disseminates key academic performance metrics and relevant trends to stakeholders and the Board of Trustees. We also seek a transformative leader who identifies opportunities across academic departments and will inspire others to do the unimaginable while prioritizing an extraordinary personalized student experience accompanied by dynamic faculty engagement. An exceptional CAO will embrace the role of faculty as the primary line of interaction with students. We expect the next leader to cultivate a culture where faculty play a substantial role in proposing and developing changes that align with the Post mission and vision to offer cutting edge academic programs.
Additional responsibilities for our CAO include but are not limited to:
- Serve as academic liaison with New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and Connecticut Office of Higher Education.
- Ensure main campus and on-line compliance with all applicable regulatory standards guidelines accrediting expectations etc.
- Participation in various accreditation related events workshops professional organizations to stay aware of trends to facilitate the enhancement of Posts brand and national reputation.
- Utilize academic dashboards data analysis metrics etc. to assess strategic progress and evaluate meaningful improvement opportunities and effectively communicate those metrics and opportunities to key stakeholders.
Key characteristics of our next Chief Academic Officer:
- Sound business acumen
- Passion for developing all members of our campus community
- Outstanding communication skills to effectively represent Post University
- High level of integrity and self-drive
- Unconventional thinker always leaning toward possibilities
- Genuine student-centric leader
- Selfless leader focused on team and mission
- Comfortable leading in a non-hierarchical environment
- Leadership style that is effective in an on-site and hybrid role
Desired Qualifications
- Earned doctorate (preferred) or terminal degree in a discipline appropriate to Post University with related teaching exp.
- Professional work experience in a proprietary college
- 10 years of academic management experience with 3 years as a Provost with CEO type engagement
- 3 years of postsecondary teaching experience
Applications
This is a rolling search and strong candidates will be reviewed and moved forward as they are identified. Applications should include the following:
- Current curriculum vitae
- Cover letter
Buffkin/Baker an executive search firm is assisting in this search. Inquiries of interest nominations and applications should be submitted electronically in confidence to:
Ken Carrick Partner
Janny DeLoache Associate Partner
Dinah DeWitt Associate
Required Experience:
Chief
Employment Type
Full Time
