Chief Operating Officer and Vice Provost

Job Title: Chief Operating Officer and Vice Provost

Location: Eagle Pass

Department: Office of the President

Job No.: 999183

Posting Date: 10/26/2026

Until Filled: No

Appointment Date: 01/01/2027

Salary: Commensurate with education and experience.

Required

Required Skills and Competencies

• Terminal degree from an accredited institution in a discipline offered by Sul Ross State University and significant academic and administrative experience in higher education.
• Demonstrated executive leadership ability appropriate for a senior administrative and academic leader within a multi campus teaching university.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex organizations and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong operational and organizational leadership skills.
• Strong financial and budget management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic plans.
• Demonstrated ability to promote enrollment growth, student success, institutional development, and financial sustainability.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate and improve organizational structures, policies, processes, and operating procedures.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, oral, and public communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain effective organizational, community, governmental, educational, business, and international relationships.
• Ability to work collaboratively with the President, Provost and Executive Vice President, Vice Presidents, Deans, faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of higher education administration, academic programs, student services, enrollment management, institutional operations, and student success.
• Ability to identify opportunities for innovation, growth, partnerships, and external resource development.
• Ability to articulate the University’s academic, research, workforce, and economic impact to internal and external constituencies.
• Ability to navigate the range of applicable laws, regulations, accreditation requirements, and University policies affecting higher education administration and operations.
• Ability to represent Sul Ross State University effectively to regional, state, national, and international constituencies.
• Ability and willingness to live in or near the region served by Sul Ross State University International educational institutions, businesses, and civic organizations in the region and areas served.
• Attends Board of Regents meetings and other University meetings as requested by the President.
• Develops grant applications and identifies external funding opportunities as appropriate.
• Participates in regional, state, national, and international activities that advance the mission and visibility of Sul Ross State University International.

Preferred

Preferred Experience

• Experience leading an upper level institution, college, campus, or major academic or administrative unit.
• Experience serving in a chief operating, executive, vice presidential, or comparable senior leadership role.
• Experience working in a multi campus university environment.
• Experience with enrollment management, student recruitment, admissions, financial aid, retention, transfer, and student success.
• Experience with academic program development and implementation.
• Experience with organizational restructuring, operational improvement, and process reengineering.
• Experience with budget development, fiscal management, and resource allocation.
• Experience with facilities, space management, campus operations, or capital projects.
• Experience with grant writing, grant development, and external funding.
• Experience with fundraising, philanthropic development, and alumni relations.
• Experience with online, hybrid, distance, competency based, and other innovative forms of education.
• Experience developing partnerships with community colleges and other educational institutions.
• Experience working with governmental, business, civic, economic development, and community organizations.
• Experience developing international or cross border educational partnerships, particularly with institutions in Mexico.
• Minimum of ten years of combined experience in higher education teaching, educational administration, business, and/or technical fields.

Primary Responsibilities

FUNCTION Sul Ross State University is seeking an experienced, forward‑thinking Chief Operating Officer and Vice Provost at its International campus based in Eagle Pass, Texas. The Chief Operating Officer and Vice Provost is responsible for integrating academic, administrative, enrollment, student success, financial, facilities, operational, community, governmental and international priorities to advance the mission and strategic goals of Sul Ross State University. The COO and Vice Provost is the senior administrative, operational, and academic leader of Sul Ross State University International, and provides executive leadership for the effective administration, operation, growth, development, and strategic advancement of the International campus and serves as the university’s senior administrative representative throughout the region.

SCOPE Sul Ross State University International is a regional component of Sul Ross State University serving students, communities, educational institutions, businesses, governmental entities, and other partners throughout the international border region. The International Campus has its principal facilities in Eagle Pass, with additional student service and instructional locations in Del Rio and Uvalde. The Chief Operating Officer and Vice Provost provides executive leadership for the administration and day to day operation of the International Campus, including organizational effectiveness, enrollment, student services, academic support, facilities, human resources, fiscal management, safety, space utilization, community and governmental relations, international partnerships, and strategic development. The COO and Vice Provost works closely with the President, Provost and Executive Vice President, Vice Presidents, academic deans, faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders to advance the University’s academic mission, strategic priorities, enrollment goals, and regional impact.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Executive Leadership and Campus Operations

• Provides executive leadership for the overall administration, operation, and development of Sul Ross State University International.
• Serves as the chief operating officer and senior administrative leader of the International Campus.
• Leads and coordinates the day to day administrative and operational functions of the International Campus.
• Ensures that campus operations are efficient, effective, responsive, student centered, and aligned with University priorities.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates operating policies, procedures, organizational structures, and administrative processes.
• Continuously assesses and improves organizational structure, workflows, and business processes to maximize efficiency, effectiveness, accountability, and quality of service.
• Establishes a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, customer service, and continuous improvement.
• Fosters a campus environment in which students, faculty, and staff experience a strong sense of belonging, engagement, and connection to Sul Ross State University.
• Serves as the principal liaison between the International Campus and the University’s main campus and central administration.
• Advocates for the needs, interests, resources, and priorities of International Campus students, faculty, staff, and academic and administrative units.

Strategic Planning and Institutional Development

• Leads strategic planning and implementation for the International Campus in alignment with the University’s strategic plan.
• Develops and executes short and long term strategies for campus growth, institutional effectiveness, enrollment expansion, academic development, and regional impact.
• Establishes measurable organizational goals, objectives, performance indicators, and accountability measures.
• Monitors and evaluates programmatic and operational effectiveness and implements changes necessary for improvement and quality assurance.
• Leads major institutional projects and initiatives affecting the International Campus.
• Identifies emerging opportunities, challenges, and trends affecting higher education in the border region and recommends strategies to address them.
• Promotes innovation in academic delivery, student services, administrative operations, workforce development, technology, and regional engagement.

Enrollment, Student Success, and Student Experience

• Provides leadership and oversight for enrollment growth and student success in collaboration with appropriate University offices.
• Supports recruitment, admissions, financial aid, retention, advising, transfer, dual credit, and student success initiatives.
• Develops and executes strategies to increase enrollment and improve student persistence, completion, and degree attainment.
• Develops and strengthens transfer pathways with community colleges and other educational institutions.
• Develops partnerships and initiatives that expand access to higher education throughout the region.
• Leads efforts to improve the overall student experience.
• Ensures that student services and administrative processes are accessible, responsive, coordinated, and student centered.
• Uses enrollment, retention, completion, and student experience data to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Works with academic leadership to develop programs and delivery models responsive to student and regional needs.

Academic and Faculty Leadership

• Works collaboratively with the Provost and Executive Vice President, academic deans, department chairs, faculty, and other academic leaders to advance academic quality and program development.
• Directly supervises the Deans of the International Campus and provides leadership for academic and administrative units located at the campus.
• Provides oversight and support for International Campus undergraduate and graduate programs, courses, academic standards, and advising.
• Makes recommendations to the Provost and Executive Vice President regarding changes to the inventory of courses and degree programs.
• In consultation with the Deans and appropriate academic leaders, provides recommendations regarding faculty hiring, evaluation, promotion, tenure, and termination.
• Collaborates with academic leadership to identify opportunities for new academic programs, certificates, credentials, workforce programs, and innovative educational delivery models.
• Promotes online, hybrid, distance, competency based, and other flexible modes of educational delivery when appropriate.
• Supports academic and research initiatives that advance the University’s regional, national, and international mission.

Finance, Budget and Resource Management

• Develops, manages, and monitors the International Campus budget.
• Ensures responsible fiscal stewardship, accountability, and compliance with University policies and applicable laws and regulations.
• Develops strategies for the effective allocation and utilization of campus resources.
• Approves purchases and expenditures within delegated authority.
• Makes recommendations concerning personnel, resources, and budget priorities.
• Identifies opportunities to increase institutional resources through enrollment growth, grants, contracts, partnerships, philanthropy, workforce development, and other appropriate revenue generating activities.
• Develops entrepreneurial strategies that support the long term financial sustainability and growth of the International Campus.
• Monitors financial and operational performance and recommends corrective actions when necessary.

Human Resources and Organizational Development

• Provides leadership for the recruitment, development, retention, and evaluation of high quality faculty and staff within the scope of the position.
• Promotes a high performing, collaborative, and service oriented organizational culture.
• Supports professional development and leadership development for faculty and staff.
• Makes personnel recommendations and decisions within delegated authority.
• Ensures appropriate performance management, accountability, and employee development.
• Works with University Human Resources to address employee relations, recruitment, retention, classification, compensation, and organizational development matters.
• Develops workforce strategies that align staffing levels and organizational structures with enrollment, academic, and operational priorities.

Facilities, Safety, Space and Campus Resources

• Provides leadership and oversight for campus facilities, infrastructure, security, safety, and day to day physical operations.
• Coordinates the strategic allocation, scheduling, and utilization of classrooms, offices, meeting spaces, event facilities, and other campus resources.
• Maximizes the effective use of campus facilities in support of academic, student, community, and institutional needs.
• Identifies facility and infrastructure needs associated with enrollment growth and academic program development.
• Works with appropriate University offices to plan, prioritize, and implement capital improvements and facilities projects.
• Promotes a safe, secure, accessible, and welcoming campus environment.
• Ensures compliance with applicable safety, accessibility, environmental, and operational requirements.

Regional, Governmental, Business and Community Engagement

• Serves as the principal spokesperson and senior University representative for Sul Ross State University International throughout the region.
• Represents the University to governmental agencies, educational institutions, businesses, civic organizations, economic development organizations, community leaders, and other external constituencies.
• Develops and maintains strategic partnerships that advance enrollment, academic programs, workforce development, research, innovation, student opportunities, and economic development.
• Builds and sustains relationships with community colleges and other educational institutions to develop transfer, dual credit, articulation, and talent pathway opportunities.
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with Southwest Texas Junior College, including periodic participation in SWTJC Board of Trustees meetings and collaboration on educational partnerships and student pathways.
• Actively participates in regional civic, economic development, educational, and community activities.
• Works with business and industry partners to identify workforce needs and develop academic and workforce development opportunities.
• Communicates the University’s academic, research, workforce, and economic impact in ways that build support and investment in the International Campus.
• Engages University leadership, academic deans, faculty, and other University constituencies in the development and cultivation of strategic external partnerships.
• Supports fundraising, alumni engagement, philanthropic development, and external relations for the International Campus.

International and Cross Border Development

• Works with the Provost and Executive Vice President to extend the reach and impact of Sul Ross State University International into Mexico and other international markets.
• Develops educational partnerships with universities, colleges, governmental organizations, businesses, and other institutions in Mexico and other countries as appropriate.
• Identifies opportunities for cross border academic programs, student pathways, workforce development, research, faculty collaboration, and international engagement.
• Supports the development and implementation of international agreements and partnerships consistent with University policies and strategic priorities.
• Represents Sul Ross State University in appropriate international educational, governmental, business, and civic settings.

External Funding and Institutional Resources

• Identifies and develops opportunities for grants, contracts, partnerships, philanthropy, and other external resources.
• Works collaboratively with University leadership and appropriate offices to develop competitive grant proposals and external funding initiatives.
• Cultivates relationships with governmental agencies, foundations, businesses, and other potential funding partners.
• Supports philanthropic and corporate investment in the International Campus and its academic, workforce, research, and community initiatives.

Institutional Events and Representation

• Provides leadership for major International Campus events, including commencement ceremonies, new student convocation, community events, and other institutional activities.
• Serves as an official University representative at regional, state, national, and international events as appropriate.
• Communicates the mission, accomplishments, priorities, and impact of Sul Ross State University International to internal and external audiences.
• Serves as the principal spokesperson for the International Campus as directed by the President or Provost and Executive Vice President.

Compliance and Institutional Accountability

• Ensures that campus operations comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, University policies, accreditation requirements, and Board of Regents policies.
• Promotes appropriate risk management, fiscal accountability, safety, and institutional compliance.
• Maintains appropriate administrative controls and accountability systems.
• Ensures that operational and organizational decisions are consistent with University policies and strategic priorities.

Other Duties

• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the President or Provost and Executive Vice President.
• Is responsible for personal safety and the safety of others and must exercise due caution and practice safe work habits at all times.

Non-Essential Duties

• Develops philanthropic opportunities and initiatives for Sul Ross State University International.
• Coordinates contacts and interaction with community agencies, governmental entities, educational institutions, businesses, civic organizations, and international partners.
• Attends Board of Regents meetings and other University meetings as requested by the President or Provost and Executive Vice President.
• Participates in regional, state, national, and international activities that advance the mission and visibility of Sul Ross State University International.
• Represents the University at community, governmental, educational, economic development, and international events.
• Develops grant applications and identifies external funding opportunities as appropriate.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervision Received

Reports directly to the Provost and Executive Vice President of Sul Ross State University, with responsibility for carrying out the University’s policies, strategic priorities, and directives established by the President and Executive Leadership.

Supervision Given

Directly Supervises

• Deans of the International Campus.
• Non academic department heads.
• Administrative Assistant to the Vice Provost.
• Other personnel as assigned.

Indirectly Supervises All International Campus personnel.

Security Sensitive: This position is classified as Security-Sensitive and is thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code §51.215 and Texas Government Code §411.094, which authorize employers to obtain and review criminal history record information for applicants.

Responsible for personal safety and the safety of others; must exercise due caution and practice safe work habits at all times.

Other Information:

Texas Law requires a 60 day waiting period before new state employees are eligible to enroll in health insurance.

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
It is the policy of Sul Ross State University to provide equal employment opportunity for all persons in accordance with their individual, job related qualifications and without consideration of race, creed, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status and ancestry. Equal employment opportunities shall be afforded in all personnel actions or decisions including, but not necessarily limited to, recruitment, hiring, training, upgrading, promotion, demotion, termination and salary. Retaliation is prohibited against a person who opposes a discriminatory practice, files a charge, testifies, assists or participates in an investigative proceeding or hearing.

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report
The Annual Security & Fire Safety Report is available online at https://srinfo.sulross.edu/udps/. The report contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.

A paper copy of the report will be provided upon request. If you would like to receive a paper copy, you can contact the Office of Student Life, located on the Alpine Campus in the Morgan University Center, Room 211 or you can request that a copy be mailed to you by calling 432-837-8424 or emailing stulife@sulross.edu

About SRSU:

Our campuses span a fascinating part of Texas—Alpine, in the heart of the beautiful Big Bend area, and Del Rio, Eagle Pass and Uvalde along the vibrant, bicultural Texas/Mexico border.

What you’ve heard is true – there is something very special about the areas we serve in our great State, and Sul Ross State University is vital to the continued growth and progress of our students and the communities we serve.

Sul Ross State provides students with the education they need to translate their passions into a fulfilling career. This life-changing experience has a multi-generational impact, transforming the lives of our students, their families and positively impacting the communities in which they reside. We value learning and strive to provide high quality education in a welcoming, supportive environment. We take pride in the fact that we serve a diverse population including many first-generation college students as well as non-traditional students, international students, student-athletes and graduate students.

From teaching, coaching and law enforcement, to science, ranch management and the Fine Arts, SRSU offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Known as the Frontier University of Texas, Sul Ross encourages each student to explore their own frontiers and to exceed their educational, personal and professional goals.

For more information about how we’re strategizing for the future, I invite you to visit www.sulross.edu.

ABOUT SUL ROSS INTERNATIONAL

Sul Ross State University International is undergoing a historic transformation as it expands access to four-year higher education across the Middle Rio Grande region of Southwest Texas. In 2024, the Texas Legislature authorized “downward expansion,” allowing Sul Ross to offer freshman- and sophomore-level coursework at its International campus for the first time. In Fall 2026, the university welcomed its inaugural class of Founding Freshmen, marking a significant milestone in the development of a comprehensive four-year university in Eagle Pass. The International campus encompasses Eagle Pass, Del Rio and Uvalde, with Eagle Pass serving as the primary campus and Del Rio and Uvalde utilizing Student Success centers primarily for remote learning. The academic enterprise includes the Colleges of Education, Health Sciences, and Science and Humanities, along with the Rio Grande College of Business. The university serves a diverse, largely Hispanic and bilingual region along the Texas-Mexico border, expanding access to affordable higher education and creating pathways for students to pursue higher education closer to home.

Enrollment Growth and Student Access

The expansion into lower-division coursework is already producing significant results. According to preliminary Fall 2026 enrollment figures, International campus enrollment reached 1,338 students, a 135 percent increase over Fall 2025, when enrollment was 569. Undergraduate enrollment increased 154 percent, from 482 to 1,222 students, while graduate enrollment grew 33 percent, from 87 to 116. Growth was driven by more than 600 dual credit students, the inaugural Founding Freshmen class of 83 students, and 84 sophomores. These figures demonstrate the growing demand for educational opportunities in the region and the potential to develop stronger pathways from high school through undergraduate and graduate education.

Campus Development and Infrastructure

Sul Ross is making significant investments in the physical infrastructure needed to support the International campus’s long-term growth. In 2025, the university acquired a 43-parcel site in Eagle Pass for the development of a new campus designed to accommodate expanded academic programs, student services and a comprehensive university experience. In August 2026, the university selected CannonDesign for its first academic building on the new campus. The approximately 40,000-square-foot facility represents a $45 million project and will include classrooms, laboratories, faculty and staff offices, and student support spaces. Completion is targeted for late 2028. The university is also strengthening its existing presence in Eagle Pass. Fort Duncan Hall, an administrative building, was dedicated in October 2026, represents another step in developing the institutional infrastructure necessary to support a growing university.

Regional Impact and Institutional Opportunity

Sul Ross International plays a strategic role in expanding educational attainment and workforce development in a historically underserved region of Texas. Its location along the U.S.-Mexico border positions the university to serve students and communities shaped by cross-border commerce, bilingual and bicultural traditions, and evolving regional workforce needs. The transition from an upper-level instructional campus to a university offering a full undergraduate pathway creates opportunities to strengthen recruitment, retention, student success, academic programming and community partnerships. It also brings new operational and leadership priorities as the institution scales enrollment, develops facilities, expands student services and builds the infrastructure required to support a comprehensive university.