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Job Description:

The Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs reports to and advises the President on matters regarding academic policy, planning and development, and is responsible for providing leadership, direction, and strategic vision in the University’s academic operations. The Provost will advance institutional priorities through effective academic administration, shared governance, strategic resource management, and the continued improvement of academic programs and services. The duties and responsibilities of the Provost will include all areas of academic policy, planning, curriculum, faculty development, faculty personnel administration, library, instructional technology, research and grants, and academic budgeting.

Reporting directly to the President, the Provost provides vision, strategic direction, and oversight for the Unviersity’s seven schools and colleges. This includes supervision of functional areas such as the SU Libraries, Academic Advising Center , Center for International Education, Center for Student Achievement, University Writing Center, Graduate Studies and Research, Instructional Design and Delivery, Nationally Competitive Fellowships Office, Registrar, and University Analysis, Reporting & Assessment.

Primary Duties

Strengthen structure in Academic Affairs

• Serves as the Chief Academic Officer of the University. Oversee faculty and academic staff recruitment and development activities; provide advisory recommendations to the President on all academic appointments, tenure and promotion matters, faculty recruitment and development; develop appropriate compensation package for departmental chairs and training program; develop an academic budgeting system to enable annual variability in funding between schools, and develop an administrative structure for undergraduate and graduate programs.

Provide leadership in all matters relating to academic quality, curriculum, delivery of instruction, and evaluation of students

• The Provost provides leadership for academic planning, curriculum development, instructional effectiveness, and academic quality across the University. Working closely with deans, faculty, and the Faculty Senate, the Provost advances shared governance, ensures compliance with accreditation and regulatory requirements, and contributes to the strategic leadership of the University as a member of the President's Cabinet. 

Academic program planning, growth, and assessment

• The Provost leads the development of new academic programs by working with faculty, deans, and external stakeholders to identify emerging educational needs, workforce demands, and opportunities that align with the University's mission and strategic priorities. The position guides program planning, approval, and implementation processes, while ensuring the long-term sustainability of academic offerings through ongoing assessment, resource planning, enrollment management, and continuous improvement efforts.

Academic Affairs budgeting and resource administration

• The Provost provides oversight and stewardship of the Academic Affairs budget, ensuring that financial resources are allocated in support of the University's academic mission, strategic priorities, and accreditation requirements. Working collaboratively with deans and other academic and university leaders, the Provost develops budget recommendations, monitors fiscal performance, and establishes priorities for investment in academic programs, faculty, student success initiatives, and academic support services.

Lead faculty affairs and and strengthen faculty engagement and shared governance

• Provide leadership for faculty affairs, including recruitment, development, evaluation, tenure, promotion, and retention, while fostering a culture of academic excellence and professional growth. Work collaboratively with Faculty Senate and academic leadership to support shared governance, institutional priorities, and ensure meaningful faculty engagement in academic decision-making. Advise the President on faculty and academic staff personnel matters.  

Responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Office of the Provost and VP of Academic Affairs

• The Provost is responsible for the effective day-to-day administration of the Office of the Provost, providing leadership and oversight for its staff, operations, processes, and resources. The position establishes priorities, coordinates activities across academic units, and ensures the timely execution of policies, initiatives, and institutional objectives in support of the University's academic mission.

Qualifications

• Academic credentials: Doctorate from an accredited institution that qualifies for appointment as a tenured faculty member at the rank of Full Professor.
• Academic leadership experience: Experience leading academic organizations, including supervision of academic administrators, management of personnel, and oversight of multiple academic units.
• Budget and resource management: Demonstrated experience managing significant academic budgets and allocating resources in alignment with institutional priorities.
• Academic freedom, inclusion, and collaboration: A commitment to academic freedom, faculty success, and transparent collaboration with students, faculty, staff, and institutional stakeholders with promotion and support of inclusive excellence, access and belonging.
• Effective leadership: Effective leadership characterized by sound decision-making, organizational change management, clear communication, accountability, and sustained commitment to student success.
• Advocacy for Academic Affairs: A strong advocate for academic affairs at the institutional level including the ability to negotiate for and secure the personnel and fiscal resources necessary to promote academic excellence.
• Collaborative relationships and shared governance: Success building collaborative relationships across academic and administrative units, fostering trust, transparency, and effective shared governance.
• Civic and community engagement: Demonstrated success with civic and community engagement initiatives in support of the University’s academic mission.
• Senior higher education leadership: Record of successful leadership in higher education, with experience as a department chair, dean, chief academic officer, or in another senior academic leadership role.
• Commitment to public higher education: Champion of public higher education with a deep understanding of the mission, opportunities, and challenges facing public colleges and universities.
• Strategic and academic planning: Record of strategic planning, academic program development and review, accreditation, assessment, and advancing institutional priorities.
• Student success and workforce outcomes: Experience developing and implementing strategic initiatives that improve retention, graduation rates, student engagement, and workforce outcomes.
• Organizational change and improvement: Demonstrated success implementing strategic initiatives, organizational restructuring, or operational improvements that strengthened Academic Affairs.
• Academic innovation and enrollment: Experience leading curriculum innovation, new academic program development, enrollment initiatives, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• External representation and advocacy: Experience representing Academic Affairs with accrediting bodies, governmental agencies, and external partners while serving as a visible advocate for the University’s academic mission.
• Academic support and student success services: Demonstrated commitment to advancing student success through strong support for academic support units and services, including the academic library, writing center, supplemental instruction, tutoring, advising, and other learning support programs, with recognition of their essential role in student learning, retention, persistence, and degree completion

Prior to applying, please review this additional information about the position, including the role, leadership priorities, qualifications, and Salisbury University’s academic environment: Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs Position Profile.

Additional Job Information:

The position is a full-time, exempt state role with comprehensive benefits.

Priority will be given to applicants who apply by September 25, 2026. However, the position will remain open until filled.

Please note, only applications submitted through Salisbury University’s Online Employment Application System will be considered. Any supporting documents must be uploaded with the online application, as documents sent via email will not be accepted. Additionally, three professional references will be required during the final stages of the hiring process. Candidates will be notified prior to their references being contacted.

Salisbury University (SU) is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination. SU is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, ancestry, political affiliation or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.