Executive Leader, Academic & Technical Education

University of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Senior Assistant Commissioner at the University of Utah serves as a senior advisor and provides strategic leadership for statewide initiatives across the Utah System of Higher Education. It focuses on academic and technical program innovation, institutional alignment, and long-range planning.

Collaborating with provosts, deans, and administrators, the role identifies opportunities, fosters cross-institutional collaboration, and develops strategies to strengthen program excellence while

Qualifications

• Education & Experience: Master’s degree or equivalent; 12 years’ professional experience.
• Progressive leadership roles in higher education (director, chair, dean, provost).
• Experience building collaborative relationships across multiple institutions.
• Familiarity with technical education programs and workforce development.
• Strong understanding of shared governance, accreditation, curriculum, faculty affairs, and program quality.
• Leadership and executive skills including emotional intelligence and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Lead statewide efforts to strengthen horizontal alignment across degree-granting and technical education institutions.
• Conduct strategic reviews of academic and technical education programs for quality and relevance.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen institutional missions through collaboration and shared delivery models.
• Analyze trends in higher education, workforce needs, and instructional innovation to inform planning.
• Develop strategic recommendations for program priorities and development.
• Support Board priorities related to institutional collaboration, learner mobility, and program excellence.

Skills

Leadership and executive competency

Interpersonal and communication skills

Thinking and problem solving

Work ethic and motivation

Autonomy and collaboration

Education

Master’s degree or equivalent work experience

12 years of professional experience

Progressive leadership experience in higher education

Experience building collaborative relationships across institutions

Familiarity with technical education programs

Strong understanding of shared governance and accreditation

Job description

The Senior Assistant Commissioner at the University of Utah serves as a senior advisor and provides strategic leadership for statewide initiatives across the Utah System of Higher Education. It focuses on academic and technical program innovation, institutional alignment, and long-range planning.

Collaborating with provosts, deans, and administrators, the role identifies opportunities, fosters cross-institutional collaboration, and develops strategies to strengthen program excellence while