Executive Director

University of Arkansas System • Hot Springs, MT

24d

About The Position

The University of Arkansas System invites nominations and applications for the role of Executive Director of the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts (ASMSA). One of only 17 residential public high schools of its kind in the United States, ASMSA enrolls roughly 250 sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are among Arkansas’ most academically and artistically gifted and highly motivated students. Additionally, via its Pathways program, ASMSA impacts hundreds of teachers and nearly 4,000 students throughout the state each year. The reach of the school extends statewide beyond high school to 6th-9th graders through involvement in the ASMSA Talent Identification Program, which discovers and develops talent in high-ability students and their teachers. Located in Hot Springs, this role offers a highly visible, mission-critical leadership position with statewide influence in advanced education, workforce development, and innovation. As chief executive officer, the Executive Director is accountable for:

Requirements

• Proven leadership experience with demonstrated capacity to lead complex organizations using shared governance.
• Strong record in institutional administration such as fiscal oversight, strategic planning, operational management, and resource allocation.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to engage and build trust among diverse constituencies (students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, governmental bodies).
• Master’s degree or equivalent.

Nice To Haves

• Administrative leadership in a secondary school environment with selective admissions and/or strong gifted and talented programming and/or a residential model, or in a higher education setting with rigorous academic and artistic programs.
• Teaching experience, especially with high-achieving or gifted learners.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, donor relations, or community engagement.
• Familiarity with outreach initiatives, student research, teacher and staff professional development, or distance learning.
• A terminal degree.

Responsibilities

• Faculty & Staff Development: inspiring excellence in teaching, learning, and research across disciplines, and cultivating a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous growth across all campus departments.
• Student Experience: fostering a supportive residential environment that develops intellectual curiosity, creativity, leadership, and personal responsibility with attention to students' mental and emotional well-being.
• Fiscal & Administrative Management: overseeing budgets, facilities, personnel, and ensuring compliance with university and state requirements.
• Strategic Planning & Innovation: leading long-range planning, program development, and initiatives aligned with the future of gifted education.
• Resource Development & Fundraising: building and stewarding relationships with alumni, donors, foundations, and funding partners.
• External Relations: representing ASMSA with state government, higher education, national organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Community Engagement: serving as an engaged, visible leader locally and statewide, and strengthening partnerships across civic, cultural, business, and educational sectors.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees