The Council of Independent Colleges, located in Washington DC, is the major national service organization for all small and mid-sized independent, liberal arts colleges and universities in the United States.
Available Position(s):
Vice President for Academic Programs
The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) seeks a
full-time Vice President for Academic Programs to develop and oversee
the annual Institute for Chief Academic Officers and Workshops for
Department and Division Chairs as well as a variety of other programs
for academic administrators and faculty members.
CIC is the major national service organization for small and
mid-sized independent liberal arts colleges and universities in the
United States. Currently, as a result of consistent membership growth
over several decades, 682 colleges and universities and 76 organizations
are members. CIC has a tripartite mission: supporting and developing
campus leaders, providing resources to advance the excellence of member
institutions—including faculty development programs in key disciplines
and professional development for leaders such as department chairs—and
enhancing public understanding of the contributions independent higher
education makes to society. CIC’s 25-person staff, based in Washington,
DC, develops and manages, in collaboration with partner organizations
and subject experts, a dynamic set of conferences, externally funded
projects and programs, research and advocacy initiatives, and other
activities to serve members in all three mission areas.
In July,
CIC welcomed new president Marjorie Hass. At this moment, which she has
described as an “inflection point” for higher education, the importance
of CIC’s programs and services for independent colleges and universities
has never been greater. The Vice President for Academic Programs will
play a central role in implementing President Hass’s vision for the
organization, developing and delivering programs designed to strengthen
and advance the distinctive educational values of CIC’s member
institutions.
Responsibilities
The Vice President for Academic
Programs is the principal planner of two annual programs central to
CIC’s mission to advance educational excellence and academic leadership:
the annual Institute for Chief Academic Officers (to which other senior
campus officers are invited on a rotating basis) and a series of
Workshops for Department and Division Chairs. This Vice President also
oversees several multi-year programs for campus teams including faculty
members in specific fields and disciplines. The position calls for close
collaboration with task forces composed of representatives from member
campuses, external subject matter experts, and CIC staff colleagues. As a
senior leader at CIC, the Vice President for Academic Programs also
carries out a range of administrative and other organizational
responsibilities and represents CIC in meetings of national
organizations concerned with higher education programs and policy. The
position reports to the President, and is located in Washington, DC.
Qualifications
Candidates should be deeply knowledgeable
about the full spectrum of current issues important to leaders of
independent colleges and universities, and should be demonstrably
committed to advancing and promoting the distinctive characteristics,
values, and contributions of member institutions. Demonstrated success
in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion is expected. Experience
with foundation fundraising and evidence of effective innovation is
strongly preferred, as is experience with collaborative or
cross-institutional initiatives. The ideal candidate will have held a
series of increasingly responsible leadership positions in academic
affairs at one or more independent colleges and universities, including
serving as the chief academic officer or in a position with equivalent
responsibilities. A terminal degree in a discipline commonly taught at
CIC member institutions is preferred.
Requirements
All CIC staff members are expected to excel
at written and oral communication; demonstrate a proactive, positive,
and member-focused disposition; handle competing priorities
independently and effectively; organize and manage a wide range of
activities with excellent control of detail; exercise creativity and
initiative in developing ideas and solving problems; be familiar with
office applications, virtual content delivery platforms, and other
commonly-used applications and tools; and be inclined to thrive in a
diverse, fast-paced, highly collaborative work environment.
This position requires occasional overnight and out-of-area
travel. Performing the duties of this position regularly requires the
ability to talk and hear, sit in a normal seated position for extended
periods of time, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and be able to
lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by
this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision,
peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
CIC is an equal opportunity employer and offers competitive compensation and generous benefits.