Associate Vice Provost for Graduate Education

University of South Carolina

Columbia (SC)

On-site

USD 149,910 - 239,856

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Health and Life Insurance

Retirement Programs

Paid Tuition

Dependent Scholarships

Annual Leave

Sick Leave

13 Paid Holidays

Paid Parental Leave

Professional Development Opportunities

Job summary

University of South Carolina invites applications for the Associate Vice Provost for Graduate Education. The role leads graduate education strategy, operations, and student success within the Graduate School, reporting to the Dean and Provost.

The position emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and organizational effectiveness to enhance the graduate student experience at a high-impact research university.

Qualifications

Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job-related field and at least 12 years of job-related experience, including some prior management experience.
Advanced understanding of Graduate Education and enrollment management within Higher Education.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities include advising senior leadership on strategic initiatives, organizational design, and policy matters.

Responsibilities

Strategic Planning: identify, develop, and implement priorities for graduate education; partner with analytics to inform decision-making.
Business Process Transformation: modernize Graduate School operations and leverage enterprise technologies and data systems.
Operational Leadership and Student Success: oversee admissions, fellowships, scholarships, and degree progress; ensure student success.
Staffing and Budget Management: lead a team of about 25 staff; manage a multi-million-dollar operating budget.
Leadership and University Service: participate in governance and build cross-unit partnerships.

Skills

Strategic Planning

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder Engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Job description

Logo: Posting Number:

STA00549PO26

Job Family:

Academic and Professional Training and Development

Job Function:

Academic Programming

USC Market Title:

Associate Vice Provost, Graduate Education

Link to USC Market Title:

https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/209842

Job Level:

E2 - Directors and Executives

Business Title (Internal Title):

Associate Vice Provost for Graduate Education

Campus:

Columbia

Work County:

Richland

College/Division:

Division of Academic Affairs and Provost

Department:

PROV Graduate School

State Pay Range:

Unclassified

USC Market Range:

MRP - $149,910 $194,883 $239,856

Anticipated Hiring Range:

Commensurate with qualifications

Part/Full Time:

Full Time

Hours per Week:

Work Schedule:

Monday through Friday, 8:30am until 5:00pm.
Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.

Basis :

12 months

Job Search Category:

Administrative

About University of South Carolina:

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Veterans' Preference Statement:

The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.

Advertised Job Summary:

The Associate Vice Provost for Graduate Education reports to the Dean of the Graduate School within the Office of the Provost. The Associate Vice Provost serves as a visionary, strategic, and collaborative leader who advances excellence in graduate education through innovation, operational effectiveness, and student success. This position provides leadership for university-wide graduate education initiatives during a period of growth, transformation, and achievement at a globally recognized, high-impact research university committed to an exceptional student experience.

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience:

Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job-related field and at least 12 years of job-related experience, including some prior management experience. Typically reports to a VP.

Preferred Qualifications:

Advanced understanding of Graduate Education and enrollment management within Higher Education.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Demonstrated ability to advise senior leadership on complex strategic initiatives, organizational design, and policy matters.
Proven success leading and collaborating with diverse teams and stakeholders within complex organizations.
Strong leadership, judgment, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to develop, implement, and evaluate programs and projects while providing strategic solutions to organizational challenges.
Exercises a high level of discretion and sound decision-making.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

Job Duty:

Strategic Planning (20%)

In partnership with the Dean of the Graduate School and the Provost, the Associate Vice Provost:

Identifies, develops, and implements strategic priorities for graduate education.
Collaborates with the Office of Institutional Research, Assessment, and Analytics (OIRAA) to develop reports, dashboards, and data-informed decision-making tools that support graduate education goals.
Works with academic deans, associate deans, and graduate program directors to identify and address operational and administrative barriers to graduate student success.
Provides escalation support for complex issues affecting graduate programs and students.
Monitors national trends, emerging issues, and best practices in graduate education to inform institutional strategy and policy.

Essential Function: Yes

Percentage of Time: 20

Job Duty:

Business Process Transformation (20%)

Leads efforts to modernize and enhance Graduate School operations through process improvement and organizational innovation.
Identifies opportunities to increase efficiency, effectiveness, and service quality across Graduate School functions.
Partners with university stakeholders to leverage enterprise technologies, data systems, and operational infrastructure.
Enhances the graduate student and graduate program experience across the full lifecycle, from recruitment and admission through degree completion and graduation.

Essential Function: Yes

Percentage of Time: 20

Job Duty:

Operational Leadership and Student Success (35%)

Provides executive oversight of Graduate School operations, including but not limited to:

Graduate admissions and enrollment services.
Graduate student fellowships, assistantships, scholarships, and grant programs.
Graduate student professional and career development initiatives.
Academic policy implementation, degree progress monitoring, and curriculum compliance.
Graduation certification and commencement-related activities, including doctoral hooding ceremonies.
Training, support, and engagement for graduate program directors and graduate faculty leaders.

Essential Function: Yes

Percentage of Time: 35

Job Duty:

Staffing and Budget Management (15%)

Provides leadership and supervision for a team of approximately 25 staff members.
Oversees an annual operating budget of approximately $2.45 million.
Regularly evaluates organizational structure, staffing assignments, and resource allocation to align with the strategic priorities of the Dean and Provost.
Partners with the Graduate School Business Manager to ensure sound fiscal stewardship, compliance with university policies, and effective human resource management.

Essential Function: Yes

Percentage of Time: 15

Job Duty:

Leadership and University Service (10%)

Serves as a key leader in graduate education governance and decision-making.
Provides leadership and support for the Graduate Council, Assistant and Associate Graduate Deans Council, Graduate Directors Council, and other graduate education advisory bodies.
Represents the Graduate School on university committees, task forces, and strategic initiatives.
Builds collaborative partnerships across academic and administrative units to advance institutional goals related to graduate education and student success.

Essential Function: Yes

Percentage of Time: 10

Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive: No

Hazardous weather category: Non-Essential

Number of Vacancies: 1

Job Open Date: 07/21/2026

Job Close Date: 07/29/2026

Open Until Filled: No

EEO Statement:

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.

The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to: