Strategic Operations Leader — Higher Education

Mohawk Valley Community College; City of Utica (NY); On-site; USD 136,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

Mohawk Valley Community College seeks a Vice President for Operations & Strategy to serve as Chief Operations Officer, providing inclusive, strategic leadership to align operations, facilities, IT, safety, and institutional effectiveness with student success and community needs.

You will partner with the President and Cabinet to translate the College’s mission and Strategic Framework into coordinated, cross-functional actions that optimize performance and data governance across the campus.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
• Demonstrated record of effective leadership in complex, multi-functional organizations, with the ability to lead across diverse teams and disciplines.
• Progressively responsible leadership experience with demonstrated success in cross-functional collaboration, strategic execution, and organizational improvement.
• Experience in higher education, preferably at a community college, or in a similarly complex, mission-driven organization.

Responsibilities

• Leads the coordination and execution of institutional strategy and planning processes, ensuring alignment with the Strategic Framework, Annual Plan, and priorities.
• Partners with the President and Cabinet to translate the College’s mission into coordinated, cross-functional actions.
• Oversees facilities, information technology, institutional research and compliance, and public safety to operate as an integrated system.
• Recruits, develops, and retains a high-performing, diverse team across responsible areas.
• Oversees budgeting, contracts, risk management, and crisis readiness, aligning resources with priorities.
• Fosters a culture of trust, collaboration, inclusivity, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic planning

Higher education experience

Education

Master’s degree

Doctoral degree

Job description

Mohawk Valley Community College seeks a Vice President for Operations & Strategy to serve as Chief Operations Officer, providing inclusive, strategic leadership to align operations, facilities, IT, safety, and institutional effectiveness with student success and community needs.

You will partner with the President and Cabinet to translate the College’s mission and Strategic Framework into coordinated, cross-functional actions that optimize performance and data governance across the campus.