Associate Provost - Western Colorado University

Another Source•Gunnison, CO

2d•$120,000 - $130,000•Onsite

About The Position

Western Colorado University is seeking an Associate Provost to help shape the future of academic excellence, innovation, and student success in Gunnison, Colorado. This senior leader will influence undergraduate and graduate education, faculty development, strategic initiatives, and institutional priorities, including oversight of the School of Graduate Studies and a campuswide general education reform initiative. This is an on-campus opportunity for a collaborative, forward-thinking academic leader ready to make a university-wide impact. The Associate Provost is a senior academic administrator responsible for helping ensure the quality and integrity of Western's undergraduate and graduate degrees while sharing in the leadership of academic operations. This position combines academic strategy, faculty and staff leadership, program development, institutional governance, and external representation. The Associate Provost typically supervises 8–12 faculty and administrative leaders and works across the university to move strategic priorities forward. The role also represents Academic Affairs in shared governance and with organizations and governing bodies such as the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE), Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and Board of Trustees.

Requirements

Doctoral degree.
Minimum of five years of senior academic leadership experience.
Demonstrated leadership, organizational, and management skills with the ability to navigate multiple priorities and deadlines.
Familiarity with higher education processes for hiring, developing, evaluating, and promoting faculty.
Excellent analytical, critical-thinking, verbal, and written communication skills.
Ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary environments and collaborate with faculty and staff from a range of backgrounds and cultures.
Demonstrated ability to lead significant projects from planning through timely completion.
Experience navigating conflict and resolving complex issues.
Ability to collaborate effectively using Office 365, video meeting platforms, and other tools that support academic and administrative work.

Nice To Haves

Supervisory experience in higher education administrative leadership.
Higher education teaching.
Developing, delivering, or supporting academic programs offered online or through residential, low-residency, or blended modalities.
Stackable credentials, microcredentials, or other flexible credentialing initiatives.
Workday and/or other technology supporting academics, advising, grants, donor relations, or career services.
Developing grants, academic programs, and/or external partnerships.
Grant writing and management.
Entrepreneurial initiatives and innovation within higher education.

Responsibilities

Help lead academic operations, fiscal health, curriculum review, assessment, and accreditation while promoting data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement.
Partner with academic departments to explore opportunities for new graduate programs.
Foster an environment that supports excellence in teaching, scholarship, service, professional growth, and innovation.
Provide leadership, mentoring, and performance management for academic administrators reporting through Academic Affairs.
Translate Western's strategic plan, mission, and institutional priorities into action within the Office of the Provost.
Represent Academic Affairs in shared governance, state committees, and external organizations, and support responses to Board of Trustees inquiries.
Collaborate with Alumni Relations, Career Services, Sponsored Programs, and Advancement to strengthen students' professional pathways, pursue innovative funding strategies, and help lower the cost of education.
Contribute to grant development and external partnerships as appropriate.
Work constructively with students, faculty, and staff to address concerns, navigate personnel matters, and resolve issues whenever possible.
Take leadership roles in institutional priorities such as HLC accreditation, strategic planning, and campuswide initiatives.
Take on additional responsibilities as institutional needs evolve.