Chief Academic Officer/Provost

intellectually dynamic community to prepare our students for global citizenship. Join us and become a part of a community that has long been and will continue to be generators of generational chance in this city and beyond.

Community College of Philadelphia is an open-admission, associate-degree-granting institution which provides access to higher education for all who may benefit. Its programs of study in the liberal arts and sciences, career technologies, and basic academic skills provide a coherent foundation for college transfer, employment and lifelong learning. The College serves Philadelphia by preparing its students to be informed and concerned citizens, active participants in the cultural life of the city, and enabled to meet the changing needs of business, industry and the professions. To help address broad economic, cultural and political concerns in the city and beyond, the College draws together students from a wide range of ages and backgrounds and seeks to provide the programs and support they need to achieve their goals.

Position Summary

The Community College of Philadelphia seeks applications and nominations for the position of chief academic officer/provost (CAO/provost). The college invites collaborative, strategic, and innovative leaders to apply for this important role. Review of applications will begin October 13, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. To apply for this position, please visit the website below, complete the brief application process, and upload your resume and position-specific cover letter. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email info@spelmanandjohnson.com.

https://spelmanandjohnson.com/position/chief-academic-officer-provost/

Reporting directly to the president and serving on the president’s cabinet and executive leadership team, the chief academic officer/provost provides vision, strategic direction, and administrative oversight for the college’s academic enterprise. As the president’s chief advisor on academic matters, the CAO/provost will advance excellence in teaching and learning, academic quality, student success, curricular innovation, and workforce relevance in alignment with the college’s mission, strategic plan, institutional goals, and accreditation standards. The CAO/provost oversees academic operations, programs and curriculum, instruction, assessment, career connections, K–16 pathways, and educational partnerships. The position leads academic planning, policy development, program review, instructional innovation, faculty recruitment and development, and the responsible allocation of academic resources. Working collaboratively with faculty, academic leaders, executive colleagues, the board of trustees, accrediting agencies, educational partners, employers, and community organizations, the CAO/provost will ensure that the college’s offerings are rigorous, student-centered, aligned with transfer and workforce needs, and responsive to students and the Philadelphia community. The CAO/provost will supervise eight direct reports, provide leadership for approximately 328 full-time and 402 part-time faculty members, and oversee more than 100 associate degree and certificate programs. The CAO/provost’s portfolio is supported by an annual operating budget of approximately $60.6 million.

Essential Responsibilities

Executive Leadership

• Serve as the President’s chief advisor on all academic matters.
• Provide strategic leadership for the planning, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of the College’s academic programs and instructional services.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to develop and implement institutional strategic initiatives.
• Provide leadership in the creation and implementation of institutional policy to guide the academic enterprise, including policies related to program development and assessment, and teaching and learning assessment.
• Provide executive leadership for the College's K–16 Pathways’ strategy; creating seamless educational pathways that support student access, persistence, completion, and career readiness.
• Promote a student-centered culture focused on academic excellence, innovation, equity, workforce readiness, and student success.
• Represent the College with accrediting agencies, educational organizations, and community partners.
• Participate in Board of Trustees meetings and prepare reports related to academic affairs.

Academic Operations

• Direct and oversee all academic operations to ensure efficient, effective, and compliant delivery of instructional programs.
• Establish academic policies, procedures, and operational standards.
• Monitor instructional productivity, scheduling, enrollment trends, faculty workload, and resource allocation.
• Lead strategic planning related to academic growth, instructional technology, and program development.
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies, accreditation standards, federal and state regulations, and applicable laws.

Academic Programs

• Provide strategic leadership for the development, implementation, evaluation, modification, and discontinuation of academic programs.
• Ensure programs align with institutional priorities, labor market needs, transfer requirements, and industry expectations.
• Foster interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative educational opportunities.
• Monitor academic quality and program effectiveness using data-informed decision making.

K-16 Pathways and Educational Partnerships

• Oversee the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of partnerships with K–12 school districts, career and technical education (CTE) centers, colleges and universities, and workforce development organizations.
• Provide oversight and strategic direction related the administration of the Perkins Grant.
• Lead initiatives related to dual enrollment, early college, transfer pathways, articulation agreements, and other college readiness programs.
• Ensure academic alignment between secondary, postsecondary and transfer curricula to facilitate student success and reduce barriers to credential attainment.
• Collaborate with academic leadership, school administrators, faculty, and community partners to expand educational opportunities and strengthen student pipelines.

Curriculum Leadership

• Oversee curriculum planning, design, revision, and approval processes.
• Ensure curriculum remains current, rigorous, and aligned with industry standards, accreditation requirements, and transfer expectations.
• Support faculty in developing innovative instructional methods and curriculum enhancements to positively impact student success.
• Guide implementation of new academic credentials and degree programs.

Classroom Instruction

• Promote excellence in teaching, learning, and instructional delivery.
• Establish expectations for instructional quality and student engagement.
• Support instructional innovation, educational technology, and evidence-based teaching practices.
• Monitor instructional effectiveness through assessment data, classroom observations, and student outcomes.
• Provide executive leadership for the recruitment, selection, development, engagement, and retention of a highly qualified and diverse faculty workforce.

Academic Assessment

• Lead institutional assessment strategies to evaluate student learning outcomes and academic effectiveness.
• Ensure assessment practices support continuous improvement and accreditation requirements.
• Oversee program review processes and academic performance metrics.
• Utilize institutional data to guide academic planning and decision-making.
• Promote a culture of evidence and accountability across academic departments.

Career Services

• Provide strategic oversight for Career Services to ensure students are prepared for successful employment and career advancement.
• Strengthen partnerships with employers and industry leaders, workforce agencies, and community organizations.
• Promote experiential learning opportunities including internships, apprenticeships, clinical placements, and work-based learning throughout the academic enterprise.
• Monitor graduate employment outcomes and use workforce data to inform academic planning.
• Ensure career development resources support students throughout their educational journey.

Leadership and Administration

• Recruit, develop, mentor, supervise, and evaluate academic leadership personnel.
• Foster collaboration and communication across academic units.
• Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within academic programs and instructional practices.
• Lead organizational change initiatives and encourage innovation.
• Develop and administer academic budgets while ensuring responsible stewardship of institutional resources.
• Facilitate the work of the Student Outcomes Committee of the Board of Trustees.

Required Qualifications

• Doctorate from a regionally accredited institution in higher education, education, leadership, or an appropriate academic discipline.
• Minimum of ten years of progressively responsible leadership experience in higher education.
• Significant experience overseeing multiple academic departments or divisions.
• Demonstrated success in curriculum development, academic administration, accreditation, assessment, and faculty leadership.
• Previous teaching experience at the postsecondary level.
• Experience managing budgets and leading organizational change.
• Experience working collaboratively with executive leadership and governing boards.
• Comprehensive knowledge of higher education administration and governance.
• Knowledge of accreditation standards, assessment methodologies, and academic quality assurance.
• Strong understanding of curriculum development and instructional best practices.
• Knowledge of workforce development and career readiness initiatives.
• Exceptional strategic planning and organizational leadership skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to analyze institutional data and make evidence-based decisions.
• Strong financial management and budget oversight skills.
• Ability to inspire, motivate, and lead diverse teams through change.
• Commitment to innovation, student success, academic excellence, and continuous improvement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a community college.
• Experience working with diverse student populations.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Experience in a collective bargaining environment.
• Experience leading institutional accreditation efforts.
• Experience with online learning, AI initiatives, and innovative instructional delivery models.
• Demonstrated success building partnerships with business and industry.

If you are required to submit references in your application, please provide your current supervisor and two previous supervisor's contact information.

Please note - CCP will not contact your references until a contingent offer has been made. You will have the opportunity to alert your references and current employer prior to the reference check process beginning.

Organization

Working at Community College of Philadelphia

Welcome to Community College of Philadelphia, a public, open-admission institution that provides both academic resources and support services to help students achieve their academic goals. As the largest public institution of higher education in Philadelphia, the College has served more than 685,000 of the city's residents since 1965. We serve a diverse population of students, from recent high school graduates starting here on their path to a bachelor's degree, to adults looking to change careers. On our Main Campus or at any of our three Regional Centers within Philadelphia, we offer the convenience our students need to fit classes into their busy schedules.

We seek to empower our community through education, one individual at a time. More than 90 percent of our graduates remain in the area and strengthen our local economy. It is our mission to prepare Philadelphians for a new career or transfer to a four-year college so that they can achieve their educational and career goals.

Community College of Philadelphia is dedicated to promoting a work environment which attracts and retains talented, high caliber faculty and staff, and which challenges each of us to achieve at the highest level while contributing to the mission of the College.