The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT) invites applications for Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School. Reporting to the Provost, the Vice Provost and Dean provides leadership in all aspects of graduate education within the University and works with all graduate programs across campus to implement campus-level policies, activities and strategic initiatives that support the recruitment, admission, retention, academic achievement, and career placements of a diverse body of graduate and professional students. This position also oversees the new Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and coordinates with leadership in the College of Veterinary Medicine and the College of Law on the professional programs residing in those colleges. As a Vice Provost, the Dean of the Graduate School serves on the Provost’s senior staff and oversees the implementation of the priorities of the university’s strategic plan relating to graduate and professional education and professional development of post-doctoral scholars.
UT is experiencing unprecedented growth across the University. The next Vice Provost and Dean steps into an exceptional opportunity with an extraordinarily strong foundation in people, place and vision. The Vice Provost and Dean must be an experienced leader who understands complex organizational structure and has the reputation of being a clear communicator, collaborator, a consensus-builder, and an advocate for students, faculty and staff. The ideal candidate will be creative, solution-oriented and data-savvy, with a reputation for leading future-focused initiatives related to residential and online graduate education. Candidates must also possess progressive administrative leadership experience such as serving as a department chair, center director, associate dean, dean or higher academic position.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Coordination of Graduate Education: The Vice Provost and Dean oversees and is responsible for coordination of graduate education, is expected to lead collaborations with faculty and academic units to foster excellence in graduate education, and to enrich and increase opportunities for graduate students to study and perform research and creative activity that will drive quality placements and job opportunities. The position leads and represents UT on issues relevant to graduate education on the state, national and international level. The Vice Provost and Dean leads coordination between the Graduate Council and the Graduate School on policies, procedures, curriculum, and process activities to ensure an outstanding level of service to all relevant constituencies.
- Leadership of Executive Staff: The Vice Provost and Dean provides leadership to an executive staff with responsibilities in student recruitment, graduate admissions, student services, postdoctoral affairs, communications, professional development, financial support and Graduate Student Senate.
- University Leadership: The Vice Provost and Dean coordinates with divisions across campus in support of graduate student and postdoctoral success. Examples include Student Life, Access and Engagement, and Finance and Administration. The Vice Provost and Dean is expected to lead development and implementation of a graduate enrollment plan that aligns with and supports initiatives outlined in the broader University strategic vision. The successful candidate will advocate on behalf of graduate and professional students and postdoctoral scholars. The position is expected to be an active member on the Chancellor’s University Leadership Council and the Council of Deans.
Required Education
- Doctoral degree
- Eligible for appointment at the rank of full professor with tenure
Required Experience
- Experience as a successful faculty member including teaching graduate-level courses and providing direct mentorship to graduate students.
- Minimum of three (3) years in a senior leadership position providing strategic direction for graduate studies.
- Experience overseeing and improving policies and processes related to the graduate student experience.
- Experience in identifying and implementing technology that can enhance the graduate student experience.
- Demonstrated record of commitment to the success and mentorship of graduate and professional students.
- Record of commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment.
- Experience collaboratively working with campus groups such as Graduate Council, Faculty Senate, Graduate Student Senate, Postdoc Association, etc.
Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Ability to analyze processes, understand them from the end-user perspective, and implement changes to make processes more efficient.
- Ability to communicate effectively with students, staff, faculty, and university administration at all levels.
- Knowledge of the integrated role of research and graduate education in the campus mission.
- Knowledge of the full scope of the graduate student experience and the unique needs of graduate students as adult learners.
- Knowledge of budgeting processes and ability to effectively monitor and manage budgets.
- Knowledge of technology innovations that can enhance graduate student experience.
- Knowledge of trends in graduate education.
- Ability to lead change and build consensus.
- Ability to create and promote a welcoming environment.
Preferred Experience
- Experience overseeing a unit’s budget and familiarity with responsibility-centered management budget models.
- Previous experience as a department head, associate dean, dean, or other related administrative leadership.
- Experience in development of online graduate programs and supporting online graduate students.
- Experience leading a strategic graduate enrollment management plan.
- Experience in fundraising and philanthropic activities.
Preferred Knowledge Skills & Abilities
- Ability to articulate the ‘value added’ of graduate and professional education to external and internal constituencies.
- A strong instinct for collaboration and the ability to navigate various administrative environments.
Based in Knoxville, the position offers a competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefit package. For additional information or nominations, please contact Brooke Swart, Senior Executive Recruiter, (bswart@utk.edu). To be assured of full consideration, applications must be received via our Taleo Application Portal on or before the priority date of Friday, November 22, 2024. Please include a cover letter, CV and contact information for three (3) professional references with your application. References will not be contacted without explicit permission from the candidate.
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Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university. Requests for accommodations of a disability should be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-3560 or eoa@utk.edu or (865)974-2498. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Investigation & Resolution 216 Business Incubator Building 2450 EJ. Chapman Drive Knoxville, Tennessee 37996 or (865)974-0717 or investigations@utk.edu.
