President - Seattle Central College

Seattle Colleges; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 208,924 - 288,515; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Pay Rates

Promotional Opportunities

Great Medical, Dental, and Retirement plans

Paid Sick and Vacation Leave

Transportation benefits

Tuition Waivers

PEBB Wellness Plan

Washington State Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

Job summary

Seattle Colleges is seeking a President for Seattle Central College to provide leadership and management oversight. The President will be integral in advancing equity, diversity, and institutional excellence.

Responsibilities include implementing the Strategic Plan, improving student success, and strengthening community partnerships. A Master’s Degree and significant senior leadership experience in higher education are required.

Salary range is $208,924 to $288,515 annually.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience in higher education.
• Experience with fiscal management and budget planning.
• Proven results in improving student success.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and management oversight.
• Implement the Seattle Colleges Strategic Plan.
• Strengthen the college's reputation.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Planning

Communication

Fiscal Management

Education

Master's Degree from a regionally accredited institution

Job description

Opportunity Description

Seattle Central College is looking to hire a President.

Salary Range for this position is $208,924 to $288,515 annually.

Opportunity is open until filled. First review of materials will begin 9/11/2026.

The President serves as the college's chief executive officer, under the supervision of the district Chancellor. The President is responsible for providing overall leadership and management oversight for all aspects of college operations and does so through a shared governance and collaborative approach with college communities (faculty, exempt and classified staff; students; labor partners; college leadership teams). The President serves as an integral part of a collaborative team of leaders including the college presidents within the district and the chancellor. The President serves on the Chancellor's Executive Cabinet, providing input on district policy and operational matters and leadership on districtwide initiatives, and serves as executive sponsor in district-wide efforts when assigned by the Chancellor.

The President is the lead college advocate and representative both within the district and externally among organizational partners, community groups, legislators and with educational partners. The President also serves the college community through effective and authentic engagement with students, faculty and staff.

As Seattle's first community college, Seattle Central has been educating the citizens of Seattle and the surrounding region for more than 50 years. About a third of Seattle Central students pursue career training programs to learn marketable skills in fields such as healthcare, information technology, business, culinary arts, maritime, social and human services and more. Additionally, Seattle Central hosts more than 2,000 students from around the world.

This position supervises exempt, classified, and temporary employees.

About Us

Our district includes three distinct colleges: North Seattle College, Seattle Central College, and South Seattle College, along with five specialty training centers. We are the largest and most diverse community college district in Washington state and are leaders in change and innovation. Seattle Colleges is committed to recruiting dedicated faculty and employees who create a welcoming climate that reflects diverse backgrounds, including ethnicity, national origin, religion, race, gender and gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, political affiliation, citizenship, and sexual orientation.

Benefits

• Competitive Pay Rates
• Promotional Opportunities
• Great Medical, Dental, and Retirement plans
• Paid Sick and Vacation Leave
• Transportation benefits
• Tuition Waivers
• PEBB Wellness Plan
• Washington State Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

Application Procedures

• Current Resume
• Cover letter addressing how your background intersects with the job

Required application materials must be completed and submitted online.

Skype video interviews will be used if you are selected.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States. The employer will not sponsor work visas.

What You Will Be Working On

Administrative Leadership

• Prioritize the success and positive learning experience of students in all programs of Seattle Central College.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership that advances institutional excellence, accountability, and student success.
• Implement the Seattle Colleges Strategic Plan to make gains on community-generated and board-adopted goals and equitable student retention, completion, transfer, and graduation.
• Affirm and advance equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts.
• Work with the Chancellor and Cabinet members to support a high‑quality student experience and district‑wide system improvements.
• Maintain urgency to improve student access and success.
• Implement the Guided Pathways model with faculty and staff to improve retention.
• Lead implementation efforts with measurable improvements in student and organizational outcomes.
• Plan for change with broad buy‑in to improve access and success.

External and College Community Development

• Strengthen and expand the college’s reputation as a transfer and workforce development provider by cultivating strategic partnerships.
• Provide leadership in partnership with HR and unions to attract, retain, and support faculty, staff, and administrators.
• Foster a positive workplace culture that values collaboration, development, and belonging.
• Be visible locally and statewide to forge meaningful partnerships with government, business, education, labor, and civic groups.
• Build a cohesive team of administrators, faculty, and staff to promote collaboration.
• Stay current on national trends and best practices and apply them locally.

Compliance and Accountability

• Support faculty and staff in professional development through innovation and learning.
• Lead innovation and integration of best practices in instruction, student support, and administration.
• Maintain fiscal stability through disciplined management of financial resources.
• Implement strategic enrollment strategies for growth and retention.
• Develop a culture of inquiry and evidence to support a results‑oriented approach.

What You Bring As a Candidate

• Earned master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• Significant senior leadership experience in higher education.
• Experience as part of a senior executive team toward strategic plan fulfillment.
• Knowledge and experience leading in diverse communities and equitable education practices.
• Ability to bring major initiatives and complex projects to completion.
• Proven results in improving student success and equitable outcomes for historically excluded populations.
• Ability to build partnerships and trust across constituencies.
• Ability to work with elected officials, business, labor, and civic leaders.
• Understanding of community college or public education funding and enrollment trends.
• Experience with fiscal management and budget planning.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to data‑informed decision making.
• Proven success in shared governance and collaborative decision environments.
• Track record of campus or division operational leadership and effectiveness.

Why This Role Matters

Seattle Central is at an inflection point. The next president will inherit an institution with a proud history and a committed workforce. The college faces opportunities to strengthen financial sustainability, operational effectiveness, and strategic positioning. For the right leader it is an opportunity to shape the institution.

Physical Demands and Disability Accommodation

Persons with disabilities have the right to reasonable accommodation in all aspects of employment. Applicants requesting accommodation should contact Human Resources.

Office Setting

• Ability to operate office equipment, receive and interpret data, and prepare various materials.
• Ability to exchange information with supervisor, colleagues, and students.
• Ability to provide 1:1 support, present to small groups, and work at a computer with repetitive hand motion.
• Work performed primarily in office settings with frequent interruptions and typical noise.

Notice of Non‑Discrimination Statement

Seattle Colleges provides equal opportunity for all students, employees, and applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, national origin, religion, creed, marital status, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability, political affiliation, citizenship, or mental disability. Reasonable accommodation is made for known physical or mental limitations for qualified persons with disabilities. The college fosters respect and professionalism, free from bullying or cyberbullying. Title IX and ADA/Section 504 coordinators are available for questions about discrimination or grievance procedures.

Background Check Statement

Before hiring, a background check will be conducted, including criminal record history. Information will be considered but does not preclude employment. Candidates will complete the Sexual Misconduct Disclosure Form WA HB 2327 as required.