"Vice Provost for Academic Business and Adminstration"

Job Description

Kansas City University (KCU) seeks a strategic, collaborative, and values-driven leader to serve as Vice Provost for Academic Business and Administration. This senior leadership role reports directly to the Provost and acts as the primary liaison between the Provost's Office and academic units on all administrative and business matters.

The Vice Provost is an experienced executive who brings a blend of operational business expertise, strategic insight, and fiscal acumen to guide and enhance academic operations. This leader supports the academic enterprise by providing informed counsel, fostering efficient academic business processes, and promoting a culture of stewardship and excellence.

Success in this role requires a leadership style grounded in humility, initiative, and relationship-building. The ideal candidate thrives in a collaborative, service-oriented environment and communicates effectively to foster alignment and shared success across the institution.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with the Finance Department to educate and support academic leaders in financial planning and business operations, advancing a culture of fiscal responsibility and operational excellence.
• Collaborate with deans and academic departments on budget development, execution, and monitoring.
• Serve as the chief administrative advisor to the Provost, providing guidance on budget, finance, IT, HR, legal, and facilities-related matters.
• Oversee resource planning and allocation for academic units, including classroom and office space, technology initiatives, and strategic projects.
• Promote best practices in budgeting, compliance, and resource stewardship across academic departments.
• Act as a trusted advisor to academic and administrative leaders, supporting data-informed decision-making and continuous operational improvement.
• Lead and manage key academic initiatives (e.g., new academic program development) through effective project planning and execution.

Essential Qualifications

• 10-15 years of progressively responsible leadership experience, ideally spanning both higher education and business operations.
• Demonstrated expertise in budget and personnel management, IT systems, and facilities oversight.
• Proven success in leading cross-functional teams, managing complex projects, and driving institutional change.
• Advanced degree in business administration, finance, higher education administration, or a related field.
• Strong initiative and ownership mindset, with the ability to anticipate needs and drive outcomes to completion.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with high emotional intelligence and the ability to navigate complex organizational structures.
• Track record of effective staff supervision and mentoring, fostering accountability, inclusion, and professional growth.
• Exceptional organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with demonstrated impact on operational outcomes.
• Experience leading change in dynamic, multifaceted environments, with the ability to bring clarity and composure to ambiguity.