POSITION: President

REPORTS TO: Board of Trustees, Pace University

COMPENSATION: The annual salary range for this position is $600,000 to $850,000, based on skills, experience, abilities, and organizational needs. In addition to annual salary, Pace University offers a comprehensive benefits package.

LOCATION: New York, NY

Leadership Opportunity

Pace seeks a bold, values-driven, and visionary leader to serve as the university’s ninth president. Animated by the university’s enduring motto, Opportunitas—and by the belief that education is a powerful engine of social mobility and life-changing opportunity—the next president will lead a university that serves an ambitious, diverse, and driven student body.

At Pace, success is measured not only by the credentials students earn but also by the futures those credentials unlock. Working in close partnership with an engaged Board of Trustees and a deeply committed academic community, the next president will build on Pace’s strong foundation and growing momentum to advance a creative, innovative vision for the university’s future. That vision will elevate academic quality, strengthen student success and career outcomes, and reimagine Pace as a university where opportunity, excellence, and impact converge.

Amid a dynamic period for higher education, Pace enters this presidential transition with an informed roadmap and an ongoing transformation plan that outlines how the university will evolve to meet changing student needs, shifting market demands, and financial targets.

At the same time, this moment calls for reframing Pace’s story, both internally and externally; sharpening its identity as a student-centered university uniquely positioned in New York City and Westchester County; enhancing trust and productive collaboration among faculty and staff; and strengthening alumni and philanthropic engagement.

With distinctive assets across its three campuses, nationally recognized programs and degree offerings, and a longstanding commitment to educating a student population as interesting and diverse as New York itself, Pace is poised to enter its next phase of impact and articulate a clear, compelling value proposition for the future of higher education.

Position Summary

As the University’s chief executive officer, the president will build on Pace’s strong foundation and growing momentum, bringing strategic insight, collaborative leadership, and a deep commitment to student success to advance Pace’s mission as an engine of opportunity, excellence, and impact.

The successful candidate must possess vision, leadership, and creativity to influence the direction of Pace. Ideal candidates will have many of the following experiences and qualifications:

• Articulate a bold and compelling vision for the future of Pace University, grounded in the motto Opportunitas and informed by a deep understanding of the University’s history, goals, and distinctive role as an engine of opportunity and achievement.
• Evidence of strong financial and operational acumen as an executive leader.
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of internal and external audiences and stakeholder groups; prior experience working with a board of directors, board of trustees, or advisory board is preferred.
• Proven fundraising leadership, with a demonstrated track record of securing significant resources through philanthropy and deep engagement with trustees, major donors, alumni, foundations, and external partners.
• Intellectual curiosity and depth, combined with proclivity toward action, accomplishment, and inspiration.
• A terminal degree, such as a PhD, MBA, JD, or other relevant degree, is preferred.
• Integrity and the highest ethical standards.
• A bold, innovative, and forward-thinking leadership style, with the courage and persistence to lead meaningful and sustainable change.
• A visible and engaged presence across the university community.
• A thoughtful and transparent approach to decision making.
• An authentic personal commitment to Pace’s mission and character.

For additional information on Pace University, please visit https://www.pace.edu/.

The Search Process

Pace University is being assisted in this search by Spencer Stuart and welcomes nominations and expressions of interest. To submit application materials or nominate a candidate to serve as president of Pace University, please email supporting materials to: PacePresident@SpencerStuart.com.