Vice Provost of Academic Strategy and Effectiveness (Aurora)
University of Colorado Anschutz Department: Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs Position: Vice Provost of Academic Strategy and Effectiveness The Vice Provost of Academic Strategy and Effectiveness serves as a key member of the Provost's leadership team, providing executive leadership and strategic direction to set institutional priorities, guide academic strategy, and ensure effective implementation in support of academic excellence and operational effectiveness. This role functions as a strategic leader with delegated authority to advance institutional priorities, lead cross‑campus initiatives and represent the Provost with internal and external constituencies. The core of this role is to diagnose and address complex institutional challenges that span departments and units by conducting strategic assessments, implementing strategic priorities, and analyzing emerging trends in health sciences, healthcare, and higher education. The Vice Provost acts as a catalyst for organizational health, strengthens campus culture through leadership development and mentoring for emerging academic leaders, and works to reduce institutional silos and foster a culture of collaboration and innovation. A critical dimension of this work is the advancement of academic excellence through the lens of faculty success, ensuring that academic policies and personnel processes support a student‑centered culture. The position requires a high level of analytical judgment and fluency in data‑informed decision‑making. The Vice Provost synthesizes complex quantitative and qualitative data into clear, actionable strategic insights that inform executive decision‑making, guide academic planning, and support accountability for institutional outcomes. In parallel, the Vice Provost serves as a primary liaison to external stakeholders, including professional associations and community partners, to inform strategy, align initiatives and elevate the visibility, reputation, and impact of the CU Anschutz health sciences campus. Key Responsibilities Strategy Development and Implementation (40%) Partner with the Provost to develop vision for the office and translate priorities into actionable, multi‑year planning frameworks and measurable outcomes. Lead and coordinate cross‑departmental and cross‑college projects requiring shared ownership, ensuring clear goals, deliverables, and accountability structures. Prepare briefing materials, strategy documents, decision‑support analyses, and executive summaries for leadership and governance bodies. Establish project management and tracking systems to monitor progress on academic and operational initiatives. Analyze emerging trends in health sciences education, healthcare, and higher education to advise the Provost on institutional opportunities and risks. Develop data‑driven approaches to optimize the alignment of resources with the campus academic and research mission. Facilitate change management strategies to minimize disruption and maximize buy‑in during institutional transformations. Conduct strategic assessments and analysis to identify and resolve complex challenges facing the campus. Organizational Health and Team Support (20%) Strengthen organizational culture through leadership development and mentoring opportunities for faculty and emerging leaders. Convene and facilitate cross‑functional teams to address multidisciplinary challenges and reduce institutional silos. Provide leadership and direction to administrative units fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence. Coordinate onboarding, orientation, and leadership transition support for new administrative and academic leaders. Design and facilitate retreats and workshops to improve team collaboration, decision‑making, and morale across the office. Faculty Development (20%) Provide vision and leadership for faculty success initiatives recognizing faculty as the primary drivers of teaching, research, and clinical excellence. Evaluate opportunities for mentoring and programming for faculty at all career stages , including new faculty orientation and leadership institutes. Collaborate with campus units to identify and support internal and external opportunities for faculty professional growth. Support the development of programs for various faculty tracks , including tenure‑track, tenured, and non‑tenure‑track instructors. Build strong relationships between faculty, staff, and leadership to foster a student‑centered culture and effective teaching environment. Communications and Reporting (10%) Translate complex data into actionable insights and executive summaries for the Provost and leadership teams. Develop and track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and dashboards to monitor progress on strategic initiatives. Create speeches, presentations, talking points, and high‑quality reports for internal and external audiences on behalf of the Provost. Design feedback mechanisms , such as listening sessions or advisory groups, to ensure two‑way communication between leadership and the campus community. Partnerships and External Relations (10%) Cultivate and manage relationships with external partners, including healthcare systems, professional associations, and community organizations. Represent the Provost at meetings, events, and on various boards to advocate for the campus's interests and health sciences enterprise. Coordinate with advancement and development teams to align philanthropic opportunities with strategic priorities. Support and track progress on external partnership agreements , such as MOUs and shared clinical or research initiatives. Supervision Received Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, Provost, and Chief Academic Officer Supervision Exercised This role has been designed with future organizational growth in mind. Over time, the incumbent may assume responsibility for additional teams or functions as part of the planned evolution of the position. Work Location Onsite – this role is expected to work onsite and is located in Aurora, CO Why Join Us The Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs is at the center of shaping academic strategy, advancing faculty success, and driving institutional effectiveness at CU Anschutz. This office works across schools, departments, and administrative units to align priorities, strengthen collaboration and support a high‑performing academic and health sciences enterprise. As part of a small, high‑impact leadership team, you will engage directly with senior campus leaders and play a key role in advancing initiatives that influence the entire institution. Why work for the University? We have generous benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation, and sick leave. The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including: Medical: Multiple plan options Dental: Multiple plan options Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours) Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual) Holiday Days: 15/year Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD bus and light rail service There are many additional perks and programs with CU Advantage. Qualifications Minimum Qualifications Doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution or equivalent combination of advanced education and senior executive experience in a related field. 10 or more years of progressively responsible senior administrative and executive leadership experience within a research‑intensive university, academic health center or comparable complex organization (e.g., roles such as Associate/Assistant Vice Chancellor, Associate/Assistant Vice President, Vice Chancellor, Provost, Dean or Department Chair of a large complex academic unit, as well as executive roles such as Chief Operating Officer, Chief of Staff or equivalent positions with board‑level scope and responsibility). Strategic leadership in higher education, demonstrated by leading institution‑wide or multi‑unit initiatives involving policy development, cross‑unit collaboration, and measurable improvements in academic or administrative performance. Experience working within shared governance, demonstrated by effective collaboration with faculty governance bodies, senior leadership, and internal or external stakeholders to advance campus‑wide initiatives or institutional priorities. Preferred Qualifications Current employee of the University of Colorado. Proven record of successfully leading innovation and large‑scale strategic initiatives that result in measurable academic excellence or operational efficiency. Demonstrated experience leading large, multidisciplinary teams at a research and medical campus. Financial leadership, demonstrated through oversight of large or complex budgets, strategic allocation of resources, and achieveme
