WittKieffer is proud to partner with Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) and invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for its next Senior Vice President of Institutional Shared Services (SVP). WesternU seeks an innovative, transparent, and strategic operational leader to serve as its next SVP.
WesternU is a non-profit private university with its main campus in Pomona, California, and a second campus in Lebanon, Oregon. Founded in 1977, Western University of Health Sciences’ mission is to produce, in a humanistic tradition, health care professionals and biomedical knowledge that will enhance and extend the quality of life in our communities.
WesternU is the largest graduate health professions university in the nation, employing over 1,100 dedicated faculty and staff with enrollment of over 3,800 students in 27 academic programs across 10 colleges. The eight California colleges are Dental, Optometry, Osteopathic Medicine, Graduate Nursing, Health Sciences, Pharmacy, Podiatric, and Veterinary. In 2011, the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest welcomed its inaugural class in Lebanon, Oregon. In 2021, the College of Health Sciences-Northwest was established offering Physical Therapy. WesternU is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
Reporting directly to the President, the new Senior Vice President for Institutional Services will be a strategic operations leader and advisor to the President and University Executive Operations Team led by President Robin Farias-Eisner, who began his tenure at WesternU in March 2022 as its third President. The SVP will have a broad portfolio of operational areas, including Information Technology, Human Resources, Campus Security, Environmental Health & Safety, Capital Planning & Construction, Facilities & Physical Plant, Process Improvement, Space Planning & Management, Project Management Office, and University Policy Office.
The new SVP will actively collaborate with University leadership and shared governance groups to enhance the institutional shared services divisions that serve the entire campus community. The SVP will provide strategic guidance to the President on best practices and emerging trends to advance the University in a rapidly changing landscape of higher education. The SVP will use data-informed strategies to progress and optimize services and outcomes in the institutional shared service departments. The SVP will be highly influential and collaborative, ultimately serving the academic mission and strategic priorities of the University.
WesternU’s incoming SVP will be a forward-thinking, engaging, and transparent leader, ready to support a campus community that is eager to engage with the institutional shared services that will impact the University’s future. The SVP will also ensure a productive, thoughtful, and efficient shared service operation that supports growth and exceptional service delivery. The SVP should possess many key attributes necessary to lead the institution through change, including the ability to inspire and instill optimism and confidence; a dedication to and understanding of how to support institutional growth and advance the academic enterprise; a propensity for data-driven forecasting and decision making; and outstanding communication skills. Essential to the new SVP’s success will be an entrepreneurial mindset, a record of progressive and successful leadership and management experience with a team-based approach to problem-solving and execution.
All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile. Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal. For fullest consideration, application materials should be received by June 10, 2024.
Confidential nominations and inquiries can be directed to the search consultants, Ben Haden, Randi Miller and Zachary A. Smith, Ph.D., at WesternUSVP@wittkieffer.com.
Compensation Range: $380,000 to $405,000 per year
The variety of unique identities, perspectives, beliefs, experiences, and talent our employees pour into WesternU comprises our culture, our reputation and is the most valuable asset we have. WesternU is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, other non-merit factor, or status otherwise protected by law.
