Vice President for Academic Affairs

Walsh University; North Canton (OH); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Walsh University is seeking a dynamic Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) to lead academic innovation, student success, and faculty achievement. Reporting to the President, the VPAA serves as Chief Academic Officer and a strategic partner in shaping the future of Walsh University.

This role offers an opportunity to advance Catholic higher education with impact and integrity. The VPAA will guide curricular and co-curricular programming, align initiatives with Walsh’s mission, and work with

Qualifications

• An earned doctorate in an academic discipline.
• Extensive leadership experience in higher education.
• Proven budget planning and resource management.
• Commitment to student success and faculty excellence.
• Ability to align mission with strategic initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic vision for academic affairs and curricular programs.
• Oversee budgeting and enrollment strategies.
• Lead faculty development and tenure/promotion processes.
• Represent the university to external partners and Boards.
• Collaborate with cabinet and senior leaders.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Strategic planning

Data-driven decision making

Faculty development

Cross-functional collaboration

Catholic mission understanding

Education

Doctorate (PhD/EdD)

Job description

Walsh University

Walsh University is being assisted by Hyatt – Fennell, Executive Search. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should be submitted via email to [e-mail]. Applications include a letter of interest, a current résumé/cv, and contact information for five professional references, submitted in separate documents. The position will remain open until filled. All applications and nominations will be considered highly confidential.

Position Summary

The Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) leads the university in academic innovation, student success, and faculty achievement. Through creative collaboration and a commitment to excellence, the VPAA advances high-impact educational practices, strengthens student learning outcomes, and fosters a thriving scholarly community grounded in faith and service.

Reporting directly to the President, the Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) serves as the Chief Academic Officer and a strategic partner in shaping the future of Walsh University. This dynamic leader provides vision and direction for all curricular and co‑curricular academic programs, ensuring that every dimension of academic life reflects the university’s Catholic mission, identity, and intellectual tradition.

As a key member of the President’s Cabinet, the VPAA works closely with the Chief Financial Officer and other senior leaders to implement strategies that ensure both academic distinction and long‑term fiscal sustainability. The Vice President partners with the President and the Board of Directors on faculty appointment, tenure, and promotion decisions, as well as program review and institutional effectiveness.

Representing Walsh University with integrity and aspiration, the VPAA acts as the academic voice of the institution to external partners, professional associations, and the broader higher education community—especially in the President’s absence. This role offers an exceptional opportunity to shape academic excellence, sustain mission‑based leadership, and position Walsh University as a model of transformative Catholic education.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Collaborates with President, Board, campus community to promote mission and Catholic intellectual tradition.
• Proposes and implements Academic Affairs and other academic budgets.
• Works with CFO and Vice President of Enrollment to create programs for enrollment and revenue growth.
• Plans and executes faculty development programming.
• Collaborates with the President and Cabinet in institutional strategic planning, budgeting and resource allocation aligned with Walsh University’s mission and vision.
• Coordinates the tenure, post‑tenure, and promotion process and makes recommendations to the President and Board.
• Approves academic grant proposals and supervises post‑grant compliance.
• Promotes curricular and research innovations throughout the university.
• Coordinates hiring process for faculty with the Vice President of Human Resources.

Operational Execution

• Administers all academic curricular and co‑curricular programs.
• Leads and supervises the VPAA team including deans and other direct reports.
• Leads the Cross‑Enterprise Operations function of the university.
• Ensures adherence to institutional accreditation standards (e.g., HLC, specialized accreditors) and oversees accreditation and assessment activities and reviews.
• Coordinates and mediates between school deans; promotes interdisciplinary collaborations.
• Sits as a member of President’s Cabinet, chairs VPAA Staff meetings, sits as ex officio member of Faculty Senate and curriculum committees.
• Represents university in absence of the President.
• Other duties as assigned by the President.

Academic Promotion & Representation

• Represents academics to the Board and coordinates Academic Affairs committee of the Board.
• Promotes the university’s academic mission and advocates for the Catholic intellectual tradition in curriculum and policy decisions.
• Promotes excellence in instruction, scholarship and service across undergraduate and graduate programs.

Direct Reports (not all-inclusive)

• Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs/Dean of Academic Administration
• Dean of Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment
• Dean of the DeVille School of Business
• Dean of the College of Health Sciences
• Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences & Education
• Associate Dean of Research
• Executive Director of Cross‑Enterprise Operations

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) of this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job‑related instructions and to perform any other job‑related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Required Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

Must understand and support the Mission, Vision and Code of Ethical Conduct of Walsh University, as a Catholic higher education university as expressed in Ex Corde Ecclesiae, and possess the following:

Education

An earned doctorate in an academic discipline represented at Walsh University.

Work Experience

Extensive experience in progressively responsible roles in higher education. Proven success in creating and implementing budgets that maximize impact through prudent resource management.

• Strategic vision and mission alignment
• Collaborative decision‑making and team development
• Data‑informed assessment and continuous improvement
• Fiscal management and resource stewardship
• Commitment to faculty and student success
• Ability to effectively lead and supervise faculty and staff

Skills and abilities

• Professional demeanor and ability to interact with charity towards students, staff and faculty. Positive attitude a must.
• A commitment to the Catholic intellectual tradition, Catholic social teaching, and the spirit of servant‑leadership exemplified by the founders of Walsh, the Brothers of Christian Instruction.
• An understanding of the opportunities and challenges of private, faith‑based higher education in the twenty‑first century.
• A desire to promote access to education for traditional undergraduates, graduate students and adult learners through different modes of delivery, including traditional, hybrid and online education.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other members of the Cabinet, administration and through a shared governance process to effect positive change for the university.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

• Normal day‑to‑day functions include sitting, standing, and walking -- between offices and campus buildings.
• Using computers, audiovisual equipment, and other technology or tools, which requires fine motor skills.
• Reading printed and digital materials, and effectively communicating with patrons and colleagues.
• Ability to travel and work non‑traditional business hours including evenings and weekends.

About Walsh University

Walsh University is seeking a dynamic, energetic, and passionate individual who is enthusiastic about contributing to a private, faithfully Catholic institution of higher learning and serving the common good. Walsh University promotes academic excellence, an engaged community, and a commitment to helping students discover their life purpose. Grounded in values of faith, excellence, integrity, service, and community, Walsh University is committed to principles of equal opportunity and is an equal opportunity employer.