About This Role:

Kansas State University seeks a strategic, innovative, and visionary leader to serve as their inaugural Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Innovation (VP-AAI). Joining the dynamic leadership of President Richard Linton and newly appointed provost and executive vice president, Jesse Perez Mendez, the VP-AAI will serve as a key member of the provost's team, providing transformational vision and strategic leadership for the future of K-State's academic enterprise in support of the Next-Gen K-State Strategic Plan as the University takes its position as the nation's leading next-generation land-grant university.

Reporting directly to the Provost and as the leader of a new department, the VP-AAI will play a pivotal role in coordinating and advancing academic strategies and activities across the university while building a robust, integrated academic innovation function across the university. This position is responsible for ensuring the academic quality of all programs across the university, including programs for credit and noncredit in all modalities; providing direction and support for faculty programs, services, and policies and the university Teaching and Learning Center; and promoting and supporting the integration of academic innovation practices across the entire institution.

For more information about this opportunity, position expectations, and the local community view the executive profile. 

For information on how to apply or to submit nominations, please refer to the Search Process section.

Why Join Us:

Kansas State University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, paid time off – vacation, sick, and holidays. To see what benefits are available, please visit: https://www.k-state.edu/hcs/benefits

We Support Diversity and Inclusion:

Kansas State University embraces diversity and inclusion. The university actively seeks individuals who foster a collegial environment and cooperative interactions with coworkers, students, and others. The University is dedicated to promoting the Principles of Community.

Worksite Options:

This position is required to be performed on-site. Work is performed on employer premises or designated assignment location.

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

Educational Requirements

• A doctorate or other terminal degree from an accredited institution.

Required Qualifications/Competencies

• A strong record of distinguished academic achievement and excellence as a scholar and educator that satisfies the requirements for the rank of tenured full professor in one of the university’s academic departments.
• Record as a successful administrator with relevant managerial and supervisory experience, including guiding strategy, financial planning and management, staffing and personnel management, policy formulation, and business and operational planning and oversight.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to analyze, prioritize, plan, coordinate, articulate, and execute strategic initiatives and engage others effectively in implementation.
• Strategic and creative planner and outstanding collaborator and relationship builder with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Outstanding organizational, problem-solving, management, and decision-making skills.
• Proven ability to initiate, lead, and facilitate transformational change and innovation initiatives, be adaptable with changing conditions, and comfortable with the ambiguity that accompanies a large public university.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise judgment, discretion, and sensitivity to confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications/Competencies

• Proven success as an innovative, unifying, and strategic leader with accomplishments in planning, developing, growing, and assessing innovative and effective academic programs to meet the evolving needs of students and learners within a shared governance environment.
• Understanding of the importance of faculty development in a land-grant university with Research-1 status, including infusing academic innovation into their practices.
• Experience dealing with unexpected employment and personnel issues in a university setting
• Deep understanding of and passion for the role of public higher education institutions.
• An understanding and appreciation for the strategic directions of the university and an appreciation for the role innovation in academic programs and faculty development can play in advancing those directions.
• Ability to build strong working relationships and partnerships with leaders and stakeholders across a large, complex, and diverse university.
• Knowledgeable about the types of stakeholders and stakeholder groups that comprise large public, land-grant, Research-1 higher education institutions.
• University experience teaching online or hybrid courses, designing programs and curricula for multiple learning modalities, or the oversight and management of either
• Experience serving a full array of learner audiences.

Other Requirements:

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.

Search Process:

All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited and will be treated confidentially.

Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume, and letter of interest addressing how you meet the position qualifications and themes in this profile including an example of an innovation you conceived and executed in higher education. The committee is particularly interested in hearing about how you achieved stakeholder support and how you assessed the innovation's success. 

WittKieffer is assisting Kansas State University in this search. Application materials should be submitted electronically to K-StateVPAAI@wittkieffer.com.

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to Sandra Chu, Corin Edwards and Zach Smith, Ph.D. at: K-StateVPAAI@wittkieffer.com.

Screening of Applications Begins:

The priority application date for this opportunity is May 23, 2024.

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range:

Commensurate with Experience

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

Background Screening Statement:

In connection with your application for employment, Kansas State University will procure a Background Screen on you as part of the process of considering your candidacy as an employee.