Assistant Vice Provost & Executive Director, Center for Leadership Studies

Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical & dental benefits

Tuition benefits

Paid time off

Life Insurance

Transit pass (Carnegie Mellon)

Family concierge services

Fitness center access

Job summary

Carnegie Mellon University’s Center for Leadership Studies seeks an Assistant Vice Provost & Executive Director to advance leadership development for undergraduates and alumni. The role leads strategic vision, staffing, and programming across curricular and extracurricular activities while partnering with the VPE and university partners.

The AVP will mentor colleagues, engage with national and international leadership communities, and expand partnerships, resources, and curricula to maximize

Qualifications

• Master's degree required.
• Doctoral degree valued but not required.
• Certification in teaching, coaching, organizational behavior, communications or related domains advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Center for Leadership Studies in alignment with the university’s vision.
• Hire and develop staff and student assistants to deliver leadership development programs.
• Foster relationships with students, alumni and partners across the university.
• Teach seminars and stay current on leadership practices and research.
• Manage curricular and metacurricular activities with measurable learning outcomes.
• Support fundraising and resource development for the Center’s mission.
• Collaborate with CMU faculties and administrative units to expand impact.
• Ensure ongoing professional development and broad leadership opportunities for students and alumni.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Collaboration

Curriculum development

Teaching

Fundraising

Education

Master's degree

Doctoral degree valued

Teaching certification (optional)

Job description

Attention Candidates: Priority will be given to applications received by November 1st, 2026. Carnegie Mellon University is a private, global research university that stands among the world’s most renowned education institutions. With path-breaking sciences and engineering, performing and fine arts, humanities and social sciences, business, public policy, information systems, inter-disciplinary distinction, big ambitions, deep research and hands-on learning, CMU doesn’t imagine the future, we invent it. If you’re passionate about a community that challenges the curious of exceptional and diverse talents to deliver on work that matters for a better world, this opportunity may be ideal for you.

Our Center for Leadership Studies is seeking an Assistant Vice Provost & Executive Director. A meaningful, impactful and inspiring opportunity for those committed to honing the skills necessary to amplify the talents of our students and alumni to achieve cascading influence in the lives of others, professionally and personally. They will build on the foundation of the Center launched in 2000 to provide leadership development training to undergraduate students throughout the university. As well, in their capacity as an AVP, they will assist the Vice Provost for Education with other opportunities as may emerge, consistent with the broader horizontal influence of the Center with curricular and metacurricular partners and others within the VPE’s domain. The AVP & Executive Director will continue to broaden and deepen the university’s long-standing commitment not just to intellectual, artistic and technical excellence, but to the broadest capacity for professional and personal impact, as both students and alumni, as has been our hallmark since our founding. It is expected that the AVP & Executive Director will be highly collaborative, delivering on both direct service and on support and influence for myriad curricular and metacurricular activities throughout the university that do now and will increasingly develop the highest-order leaders of the future, consistent with the university’s expansive vision for meaningful impact throughout the world.

Core Responsibilities

• Build upon and enhance or amend the strategic vision and mission of the Center or Leadership Studies, consistent with the overarching vision and mission of the university, based on collaborations with faculty, staff, students and alumni throughout.
• Hire (as needed) a highly-talented and deeply committed team, to include Executive Fellows, Program Coordinator, and Educational Program Assistants (student staff), while working to create a collaborative environment reflective of the core values of the Center and the university.
• Nurture the Center team and others engaged in leadership activities within the university, as needed, to further our capacity to deliver into the world highly skilled persons of influence, including active collective and inter-personal professional development and personal support.
• Develop engaging relationships with the students involved with the Center, including teaching on average one seminar per semester as a matter of personal preference and to stay current on the lived experience in and out of the classroom.
• Maintain active involvement within the national and international leadership development community by staying current with evolving research, engaging in study to refine seminar curricula, and contributing to best practices in the field.
• Support the vision and mission of the Vice Provost for Education in any manner of leadership or leadership‑adjacent activities as may be desired, while partnering actively with faculty, academic, and non‑academic staff.
• Nurture close relationships with relevant CMU and CLS alumni, both contributing to their continued professional (and personal) development, while securing an ongoing source of information, counsel, and support for the Center’s evolving mission.
• Continue to grow the financial and other resources necessary to achieve at the highest level, including the engagement with talented partners in idea generation, program development and delivery, active fundraising and smart financial planning.

Ideal Qualifications

• Master’s degree required.
• Doctoral degree will be valued but not required.
• Certification in relevant areas such as teaching, coaching, organizational behavior, communications, strategic planning or related domains will be advantageous.
• 15+ years' experience, ideally in or with significant exposure to the academy, including leadership authority, as amplified below.
• Strong experience in and a deep understanding of academia, including experience in developing, overseeing and delivering curricula and potentially metacurricular activities with clear learning outcomes and an engaged student experience is desired.
• Demonstrated leadership experience that is visionary, ethical, engaging, tactical, technical, and reflective, consistent with the core pillars of the Center for Leadership Studies.
• Experience teaching and leading in a university setting and understanding how to imbue a leadership ethos into the curriculum, while partnering within metacurricular facets of a college or university in a highly collaborative and engaging manner.
• Priority given to extensive exposure to leadership and professional development through workplace programs, professional affiliations, or other non‑degree activities resulting in deep understanding of organizational behavior, human development, and the skills necessary for effective leadership and organizational impact.
• Experience in leading complex teams, involvement in senior administrative position(s), and the proven capacity to conceptualize and implement successful organizational structure(s) and impact.
• Strong background in and capacity for building partnerships, as may be exemplified by alumni or external relations, fundraising, and commitment to and capacity for developing a shared vision with and support from key stakeholders.
• An understanding of the evolving professional and personal landscape, grounded in the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century, including rapid evolution of technology including artificial intelligence, and the correlative needs and expectations for leaders of distinction.
• A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.

Requirements

• Successful pre‑employment background check.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions.
• Tuition benefits.
• Paid time off and observed holidays.
• Life and accidental death and disability insurance.
• Free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass.
• Access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs.
• Fitness center access.
• And much more!

Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Job Function: University Administration and Management

Position Type: Staff – Regular Full Time/Part time Full time Pay Basis

More Information: Please visit “Why Carnegie Mellon” to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.

Statement of Assurance

Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.

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Carnegie Mellon University isn’t just one of the world’s most renowned educational institutions – it’s also a hotspot for some of the most talented doers, dreamers, and difference-makers on the planet. When you join our staff, you’ll become an important part of our mission to create a healthier, safer, and more just life for all. No matter what your role or location, you’ll connect and collaborate with dedicated, passionate colleagues – and you’ll have the satisfaction of delivering work that truly matters. We cultivate a vibrant, welcoming environment where everyone is valued and encouraged to contribute and achieve. In addition to competitive benefits and a robust support network, you’ll have access to many tools and resources to sharpen your abilities and professional skills, as well as opportunities to engage and share perspectives with a dynamic and inspiring community of uniquely talented staff, faculty, students, and alumni. The future is awaiting your expertise and intellect.

Learn more about Student Employment. Please see Faculty Careers. For technical assistance, email HR Services or call 412-268-4600. We are committed to providing an accessible experience throughout our recruitment process. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation at any stage of the application, interview, or hiring process, please contact Equal Opportunity Services by email at [e-mail] or by phone [phone].