Strategic Leader for Academic & Technical Education

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

Job summary

University of Utah is seeking a Senior Assistant Commissioner to provide strategic leadership for statewide initiatives that strengthen collaboration, instructional quality, and long-term program planning across higher education institutions in Utah.

The role partners with provosts, deans, and faculty leaders to identify opportunities, align missions, and drive innovation in academic and technical programs while respecting institutional autonomy.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent work experience in a related field is required.
• 12 years of professional experience in a related field.
• Progressive leadership experience as a program director, department chair, dean, associate provost, provost, or equivalent in a higher education institution.
• Experience building collaborative relationships across multiple institutions.
• Demonstrated success leading institution-wide programmatic initiatives.
• Familiarity with technical education programs and workforce development.
• Strong understanding of shared governance, accreditation, curriculum, faculty affairs, and program quality.

Responsibilities

• Lead statewide efforts that strengthen horizontal alignment across degree-granting and technical education institutions.
• Conduct strategic reviews of programs and portfolios to evaluate quality, workforce relevance, and sustainability.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen institutional missions through collaboration and shared delivery models.
• Analyze trends in higher education, workforce needs, technology, and instructional innovation to inform planning.
• Develop strategic recommendations for program priorities and development.
• Support implementation of Board priorities related to collaboration, learner mobility, and program excellence.
• Develop relationships with Faculty Senate leadership and other governance bodies.
• Advise on emerging faculty issues and opportunities for collaboration.
• Support statewide discussions and lead initiatives on faculty development and instructional innovation.
• Engage with chief academic officers and deans to foster institutional engagement.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Autonomy

Collaboration

Education

Master's degree or equivalent

Job description

University of Utah is seeking a Senior Assistant Commissioner to provide strategic leadership for statewide initiatives that strengthen collaboration, instructional quality, and long-term program planning across higher education institutions in Utah.

The role partners with provosts, deans, and faculty leaders to identify opportunities, align missions, and drive innovation in academic and technical programs while respecting institutional autonomy.