Vice Provost for Educational Initiatives and Innovation University of Montana

Profile

Provost and Executive Vice President, Pardis Mahdavi, and the University of Montana (UM) invites applications for the

Vice Provost for Educational Initiatives and Innovation

(VPEII). This new position represents an exciting opportunity to develop University of Montana learning opportunities for expanded learner audiences.

If you have:

A vision for innovative educational programming at the University of Montana, geared toward learners of all ages and backgrounds, including online, summer, pre-college, non-traditional, non-degree, and international education initiatives;

A passion for creating access to educational opportunities for diverse sets of learners, such that their lives and livelihoods will be enhanced by these experiences;

Experience cultivating strategic partnerships and collaboration among stakeholders;

The ability to oversee a portfolio of independent units, build an effective management structure and team to ensure fiscal sustainability and growth;

we encourage you to apply for this position.

As the Vice Provost for Educational Initiatives and Innovation (VPEII), you will provide leadership, oversight and coordination as the university seeks to serve an expanded learner audience. The VPEII accomplishes this by overseeing academic programming for learners of all ages and backgrounds, in a variety of formats, including but not limited to online, summer, pre-college, non-traditional, non-degree, and international education initiatives. Facilitating cooperation among and across the University and its local and regional partners, the VPEII develops innovative educational programs and creates ways for a diverse set of learners to access those programs. These learners will see their lives and livelihoods enhanced by the pathways the University of Montana invites them to embark upon.

The VPEII serves as a member of the senior academic affairs team composed of the Provost, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, Vice Provost for Campus Life, Director of Operations and Director of Academic Budgets and Personnel. This position provides visionary leadership for Educational Initiatives and Innovation at the University of Montana, with support from existing units such as UM Online, UM Summer, the Montana Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (MOLLI), the Global Engagement Office, its embedded English Language Institute, and the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center, and in collaboration with UM’s sector leaders and the deans of UM’s colleges. As an Academic Officer, the VPEII plays an important role in leadership of academic affairs, to include chairing/serving on university committees, task forces, representing the Provost as needed and participating in broad campus and system-wide activities.

The VPEII is responsible for growing the university’s portfolio of high-quality online courses and programs, building on UM’s long history of international engagement, strong partnerships abroad, as well as the recent renewal of UM’s summer and noncredit certificate offerings. This position collaborates with various stakeholders across the University and the Montana University System to evaluate new ed tech, online and blended learning opportunities and to drive an expanded portfolio of online degree programs; to pursue external funding focused on broadening learner audiences; to expand summer learning opportunities for pre-college, college and post-college learners; and to create online and in-person short-term and stackable offerings, all aimed at reaching a diverse learner audience.

The VPEII will work closely with the Vice President for Marketing and Communications, the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Strategic Initiatives and the Chief Information Officer. This position provides strategic leadership, leveraging considerable existing capacity in instructional design, online pedagogy, international education and operational implementation. In addition, the position cultivates and develops relationships with stakeholders at the local, regional and national levels to develop innovative programming and promote learning opportunities to individuals, non-profits, as well as public and private sector organizations. The VPEII will partner with UM’s Marketing and Communication sector to ensure effective internal and external promotion and marketing of UM’s extended learner portfolio.

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action

: Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

Position Details

Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, MUS Contract and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package

including Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.

Starting salary for this position is $150,000 - $160,000 per year commensurate with qualifications.

Required Qualifications

Success leading and managing a higher education unit or program in one or more of the areas of this position’s oversight (online, summer, international programming, English language instruction, externally-funded initiatives to broaden target learner audiences)

Strong understanding of issues/trends in higher education, including online, international, summer, lifelong learning and nondegree education

Proven leadership capabilities, including strategic thinking and creative problem-solving abilities

Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and productively with faculty and academic program leadership, fostering and developing working relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders throughout the academic community

Strong experience in human, financial, and technological resource management and related decision-making

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal)

Experience in planning and implementation for growth of a diverse portfolio

Proven ability to work collaboratively with leaders across complex organizations

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s Degree in a related field

Five years’ experience of relevant experience in higher education, international education, education technology, online content and delivery or equivalent combination

Success initiating strategic partnerships and fruitful collaborations with internal and external stakeholders

Experience working with communications professionals to develop and implement communication strategies and marketing plans for a portfolio of programs geared toward a variety of learners

About UM

UM is a flagship public doctoral research institution that sits in the aboriginal territories of the Salish and Kalispell people. A research-intensive institution that grants associate to doctoral degrees, UM is committed to accessible and inclusive education as the foundation of social and economic prosperity. A viable democracy relies on citizens who are broadly educated and specifically skilled, and is enriched by diversity in thought, background, appearance and beliefs. Ranked sixth nationwide for research growth, UM’s research expenditures nearly doubled between 2014 and 2019 and are expected to reach $125 million this fiscal year. This emphasis provides undergraduate students with the singular opportunity to participate in active research with top researchers and scholars.

UM's long tradition of teaching excellence and experiential learning evidences our commitment to student success. The University ranks fifth among public universities in producing Rhodes Scholars, currently has the highest graduate student enrollment in its history, and, in the fall of 2021, welcomed the largest incoming freshman class in several years. Summer enrollment and out-of-state applications have grown by 40% in recent years. UM’s student retention rate rose from 68.5% in 2018 to 75.4% in 2021. Students have access to a diverse and growing set of work-based and experiential learning opportunities, as part of a strong institutional commitment to creating the best possible set of post-graduate outcomes. UM is investing substantially in the on-campus experience. Over $100 million has been allocated to renovate campus facilities, including sustainability upgrades.

UM is an essential part of Missoula, a culturally vibrant college town characterized by scenic beauty, a socially engaged community, and a healthy economy. Our commitment to place-based, applied experiences ensures our students reap the benefits of a large flagship institution in an intimate setting. This setting attracts talent to the University of Montana community, where arts, culture and academics shape the formative years of a student population that is 40% first-generation. With a deep focus on experiential learning, we believe some of the most profound learning experiences occur beyond the classroom. Experiential learning at UM happens not only in the outdoors but also in community and social settings. UM is part of a global community, and actively recruits and enrolls students from all over the world, as well as provides a range of opportunities for students to study abroad.

About Missoula

UM is located in Missoula, a small, vibrant community of about 75,000, surrounded by mountains, wilderness and clear, cold rivers. The educational, medical, and cultural hub of the region, Missoula offers a rare blend of outdoor adventure, big-city culture, and exceptional quality of life. The vibrant downtown community embraces the state’s most sophisticated music and art scene and includes a new public library that houses the Families First Learning Lab, UM’s Spectrum science museum, and the UM Living Lab. Just east of Missoula is the KettleHouse Amphitheater, ranking No. 45 out of the top 50 amphitheaters worldwide by Pollstar.

Criminal Background Investigation

is required prior to Offer of Employment.

In accordance with university policy, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.

ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference.

Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.

References

*References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice will be provided to the applicant.

Employment Eligibility.

All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).

Company info

The University of Montana
Website : https://www.umt.edu