Vice President, Enterprise and Academic Partnerships

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

This is an exempt executive-level educational administrator position. Under the direction of the Superintendent/President, the Vice President of Enterprise and Academic Partnerships provides strategic leadership, executive oversight, and direction for the District's enterprise operations, public-private partnerships (PPPs), and academic partnership development.

The Vice President is responsible for advancing innovative, mission-aligned, and revenue-generating initiatives that support student success, workforce development, and long-term institutional sustainability. This position provides direct oversight of the Dean of Enterprise and Academic Partnerships and all related operational areas, while leading the development, negotiation, and execution of complex partnerships and enterprise ventures.

The Vice President will serve as the President and Executive Director of the Merced College Enterprise Corporation, providing leadership for the District's auxiliary organization, including governance, compliance, and strategic growth. The Vice President is a member of the District's President's Cabinet and plays a key role in advancing the District's Educational Master Plan and strategic priorities.

REPORTS TO

Superintendent/President

SALARY RANGE

Management Range: VP
Salary placement commensurate with education and experience
Additional compensation for doctorate

Examples of Duties

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for all enterprise operations, public-private partnerships (PPPs), and academic partnerships across the District.
• Oversee and evaluate administrator and other management direct reports to ensure effective implementation of all related programs, services, and initiatives.
• Lead the development, negotiation, and execution of complex public-private partnerships, including development agreements, ground leases, joint occupancy agreements, and other innovative partnership models.
• Provide strategic oversight of real estate development, facilities partnerships, and land use opportunities that support educational, workforce, and revenue-generating objectives.
• Serve as President and Executive Director of the Merced College Enterprise Corporation, ensuring alignment with the District's mission and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and auxiliary organization requirements.
• Oversee enterprise and auxiliary operations, including revenue-generating activities, contract education, community services, and other district-supported enterprises.
• Lead efforts to diversify and expand the District's revenue streams through innovative funding strategies, enterprise development, grants, and investment opportunities.
• Develop and implement strategies to support workforce development, applied learning, innovation, and academic partnership initiatives aligned with regional and statewide economic priorities.
• Establish and maintain high-level partnerships with industry leaders, government agencies, educational institutions, and community organizations.
• Provide executive oversight of investment strategies and partnership opportunities, including equity participation, joint ventures, and other revenue-generating arrangements that support the District's long-term sustainability.
• Ensure all enterprise, partnership, and auxiliary activities comply with local, state, and federal laws, including California Education Code and applicable regulations.
• Represent the District at local, regional, state, and national government and policy summits, meetings, and/or collaboratives.
• Identify and develop relationships with external individuals and organizations that may provide private funds, in-kind support and/or related academic partnerships.
• Advise the Superintendent/President on strategic opportunities, risks, and policy considerations related to partnerships, enterprise operations, and economic development initiatives.
• Collaborate with District leadership to ensure alignment between enterprise initiatives and instructional, student services, and institutional priorities.
• Lead the development of metrics, performance indicators, and accountability systems to evaluate the effectiveness and return on investment of enterprise and partnership activities.
• Represent the District at local, regional, state, and national levels in matters related to partnerships, innovation, and economic development.
• Assure efficient and effective operations by selecting and developing staff, by evaluating their performance and providing guidance and direction.
• Support fundraising, grant development, and external resource development efforts aligned with enterprise and partnership initiatives.
• Promote shared governance through active participation in college and district committees.
• Encourage cultural and ethnic diversity in staffing, programs, and services.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of

• Community college mission, organization, and governance within the California Community College system
• Public-private partnerships, real estate development, and/or innovative funding models
• Auxiliary organizations, enterprise operations, and revenue-generating strategies
• Workforce development, contract education, and community service programs
• Strategic planning, economic development, and regional partnership ecosystems
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, including California Education Code and regulations governing auxiliary organizations
• Principles and practices of executive leadership, administration, and organizational development
• Budget development, financial analysis, and long-term fiscal planning
• Negotiation, contract development, and partnership structuring
• Emerging trends in higher education, innovation, and applied learning

Ability to

• Provide visionary and strategic leadership in a complex organizational environment
• Negotiate and structure complex agreements and partnerships
• Build and sustain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders, including industry, government, and educational partners
• Align enterprise and partnership initiatives with institutional priorities and student success outcomes
• Analyze complex financial, legal, and operational information and make sound decisions
• Lead, supervise, and evaluate administrative personnel
• Communicate effectively with diverse audiences, both verbally and in writing
• Develop and implement innovative programs and revenue-generating strategies
• Analyze problems, identify solutions, and implement effective courses of action
• Demonstrate sensitivity to and understanding of diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students

Typical Qualifications

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education/Training/Experience

Master's degree from an accredited institution in business administration, public administration, education, or a related field

AND

At least one (1) year of progressively responsible senior leadership experience in partnerships, enterprise operations, economic development, or related areas, including supervisory experience

AND

Demonstrated experience developing and managing complex partnerships or large-scale initiatives

AND

Sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students.

License or Certificate

A valid California Class "C" driver's license. Travel to locations throughout the District may be required.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience

Doctorate degree in a related field.
Experience leading public-private partnerships, real estate development, or auxiliary organizations in a higher education or public sector environment.
Demonstrated success in generating revenue, securing external funding, or developing innovative enterprise models.

PHYSICAL DEMAND AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individual with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment

Work is performed primarily in an office environment with some travel to different sites; incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends.

Physical Ability to

• Hear and understand speech at normal levels
• Communicate so others will be able to clearly understand normal conversation
• Read printed matter and computer screens
• Stand or sit for prolonged periods of time
• Bend and twist, stoop, kneel, crawl, push, pull
• Reach in all directions
• Work at a desk, conference table or in meetings of various configurations
• Operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard

Vision

See in the normal visual range with or without correction.

Hearing

Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.