OPEN TO CURRENT UCONN AND UCONN HEALTH EMPLOYEES ONLY

JOB SUMMARY

The University of Connecticut (UConn), one of the nation's leading public research universities, seeks a visionary and dynamic leader to serve in the executive management position of Vice Provost for Academic Operations.

The Vice Provost for Academic Operations will provide operational vision and leadership to the Academic Affairs Division of the University, providing insight and vision to ensure scalable, effective, and efficient operations of critical functions that impact student and faculty success. The Vice Provost will work closely with the Provost's senior leadership team, academic deans, academic department heads, and central business units to develop and implement operational strategies to ensure the continued and enhanced success of the academic enterprise. The Vice Provost has a broad portfolio and supervises business and operations within the Provost's Office, including but not limited to capital and operating budgets, human capital initiatives, emergency management, and health and safety. In addition, the Vice Provost is expected to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the key issues affecting units within this expansive portfolio and shape and implement appropriate strategies.

The Provost seeks candidates with a comprehensive resume of success in academic leadership roles, with the necessary skills to support the existing and growing administrative, fiscal, and personnel needs of the University. The successful candidate will possess a leadership style that invites collaboration, encourages teamwork and trust, welcomes diverse perspectives, values transparency and data- and stakeholder-informed decision-making, and will possess the skills necessary to navigate the organizational, political, and fiscal realities unique to a major public research university, and to make changes to improve current practice, including effective advocacy for the resources required to uphold mandates and achieve aspirations.

Confidential inquiries regarding nominations and applications may be directed to the search chair as indicated at the end of this job posting.

The Office of the Provost plays a leading role in sustaining an environment of academic excellence at the University of Connecticut, a top public university and the State of Connecticut's flagship higher education institution and sole public research university. The Provost's Office supports these distinctions through a strategic focus on the academic success and wellness of our faculty, students, and staff.

The team in the Provost's Office, as well as the academic divisions at the University and central business units, are deeply committed to operational effectiveness, decision quality, compliance, and innovation in all that they do to support the academic operations of a university deeply committed to student, faculty, and staff success in administration, research, and public service within the University community, state, and nation.

Please visit the Office of the Provost website for more information on our team, scope, and key initiatives: https://provost.uconn.edu/

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervision of Units

• Leads the provost Finance and Administration team including the Director of Academic Finance and Administration, Finance and HR Analyst, and Finance and HR Coordinator.

Resource Planning and Allocation

• Develops and implements an operational vision to enhance UConn's physical and human infrastructure with a future-focused mindset on innovative management, resource allocation, operational excellence, and revenue generation.
• Serves as an effective steward of the provost's financial, human capital, physical, and other resources. Oversees the allocation of resources to requesting units that are responsive to current and future needs of the University in furtherance of the University, state, national, and global mission and vision.
• Leads the Academic Affairs Division in transparent annual and long-term operating and capital financial plans that are aligned with UConn's strategic priorities in partnership with the Office of Budget, Planning, and Institutional Research.
• Advises academic affairs leaders and university leadership on strategic operations issues that impact the University. Recommends and implements strategic changes in logistical strategy, technological strategy, and facility planning and management.
• Implements productivity/quality metrics and incentive programs designed to achieve the University's operational objectives.
• Collaborates with Human Resources, Budget, Planning, and Institutional Research, University Planning, Design, and Construction, the Office of the Vice President for Research, University Business Services, school and college leaders, academic success units, and other University partners to lead and advise the University's strategic efforts on human capital resource management (e.g., workforce planning and staffing decisions, faculty recruitment and retention including).

Business Operations

• Leads and ensures successful execution of Provost's Office initiatives requiring integration across senior leadership. Serves as Chief Academic Operations Officer, acting on behalf of the Provost in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Provost's Office.
• Develops and oversees the management of administrative, financial, and operational policies, systems, and operations, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations; aligns policies to the University's strategic initiatives, finding innovative ways to leverage resources in support of the mission; oversees the regular enforcement of policy review and revision for applicable academic affairs policies.
• Manages ongoing and new initiatives related to academic operations such as software implementations. Devises and monitors key program and project performance indicators.
• Recommends business, financial, and administrative objectives, policies, programs, and practices to build upon the University's sound operational and financial structure.
• Identifies and implements continuous process improvement initiatives in a collaborative manner to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of UConn's academic operations and administrative processes.
• Anticipates potential operational opportunities, issues, risks, ideas, and solutions, appropriately communicating to relevant parties.
• Keeps abreast of developments and trends that may require new studies or modification of current projects or practices.
• Actively engages with state and national professional organizations, as well as other colleges and universities, in order to remain current with fiscal responsibilities, educational development, theory, research, and programming.

Evaluation and review

• Oversees the cyclical comprehensive review and renewal process for executive leaders reporting to the Provost by charging review committees and evaluating findings.

Emergency management

• Serves as the primary contact in the Provost's Office regarding emergency management and impact on the academic enterprise.

Basic responsibilities

• Contributes to the overall operation of the Office of the Provost's strategic initiatives and execution of executive-level priorities.
• Maintains confidentiality of administration in the performance of assigned responsibilities that may include supporting labor negotiations and bargaining teams and decision-making by senior managers, executives, and officials.
• Partners with Provost Office Staff on the development, execution, modification, and assessment of activities.
• Partners with University stakeholders on the development and modification of policies, by-laws, guidance, processes, and procedures related to the assigned portfolio.
• Collaborates with the Director of Academic Finance and Planning in managing Provost Office commitments and budget oversight of all units in scope.

Related Skills and Competencies

• Problem Solving and Critical Thinking - The ability to thoughtfully and thoroughly leverage institutional knowledge, resources, and partners to effectively solve complex operational problems.
• Collaborative Governance - The mindset that we achieve more as a University when we leverage the skills and experiences of units institution-wide. The ability to interface with and motivate stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. Possesses the listening and negotiation skills necessary to encourage team feedback, lead meetings, and solve problems.
• Budget Preparation and Fiscal Management - The ability to analyze and interpret financial data and prepare financial reports, statements, and/or projections. Knowledge of financial principles, practices, and concepts.
• Decision Quality - Values sound and clear decisions backed by evidence and precedent and aligned with UConn's core values. Is accountable and transparent, involves invested parties in the process where possible, and justifies decisions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Current UConn or UConn Health employee.
• Credentials that merit appointment for a tenured or in-residence academic appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or higher in one of UConn's schools and colleges, including a Ph.D. or terminal degree. Equivalent foreign degrees are acceptable.
• At least 3 years of administrative experience in a progressively responsible leadership position in higher education, demonstrating knowledge of core management functions, clear experience with managing strategic priorities, and familiarity with the University's policies, guidance, and procedures.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Credentials that merit appointment for a tenured or in-residence academic appointment at the rank of Professor 
• At least 5 years of experience in a progressively responsible leadership position in higher education.
• At least 3 years of background and experience pertinent to the unique programs and setting of the academic operations of a public research institution, including a clear understanding of the academic vision of the University.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in a diverse organization. Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to communicate needs, plans, and programs effectively.
• Proven business and political acumen commensurate with the needs of an executive office, including the ability to navigate the organizational, political, and fiscal realities unique to a major public research university; demonstrable experience applying sound judgment in the allocation of resources; and an ability to manage change, resolve conflict, and build consensus.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to develop, engage, and maintain constructive and professional relationships with senior administrators, faculty, staff, students, and other individuals and organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze, understand, and interpret complex situations and problems, evaluate options, devise and propose solutions that align resources with goals, implement plans, and measure outcomes.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, 12-month, management-exempt position with an anticipated start date of January 1, 2024. Salary will be commensurate with experience.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Staff Positions, Search #497869 to upload the following application materials:

• A cover letter articulating interest and responding to the position challenges and objectives outlined above. The cover letter should include a robust statement on the candidate's familiarity and comfort with academic operations and examples of their leadership in those domains.
• Curriculum vitae.
• A commitment to diversity statement that describes previous and/or potential contributions to promoting diversity through teaching and/or service.
• Names and contact information for 3-4 professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notice to the candidate.

Potential candidates can address questions to:

Amy Gorin, Search Committee Chair

amy.gorin@uconn.edu

This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on October 18, 2023.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce.  The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner.  This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all.  We strongly respect each individual employee's unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same.  All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.