VP Academic Affairs

Southern College of Optometry; Morningside Park (TN); On-site; USD 170,000 - 221,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN seeks a Vice President for Academic Affairs to oversee strategic academic direction and ensure high-quality optometric education. The VPAA will hold an academic appointment and faculty rank, guiding policy implementation and outcomes measurement across programs.

The role collaborates with the President on institutional planning, reporting, and accreditation processes, and involves leadership of multiple director-level positions within Academic

Qualifications

• Experience in higher education administration and setting standards.
• Ability to lead academic programs and faculty.
• Familiarity with accreditation processes and assessment.

Responsibilities

• Supervising curriculum development and review.
• Collaborating on course content and instructional methods.
• Reviewing didactic and clinical course structures.
• Coordinating class and examination schedules.
• Participating in admissions requirements and academic standards.
• Ensuring academic counseling services.
• Overseeing preparation of students for NBEO examinations.
• Contributing to catalogs and academic publications.
• Teaching and/or conducting research as appropriate.

Skills

Curriculum development

Academic leadership

Faculty recruitment

Accreditation knowledge

Strategic planning

Education

O.D. degree (Optometry)

Advanced degrees preferred

Job description

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VP Academic Affairs

FT Faculty SCO Main Campus, Memphis, TN, US

2 days ago Requisition ID: 1227

Salary Range: $170,000.00 To $221,000.00 Annually

Position Overview

The Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) serves as the Chief Academic Officer of the College and oversees the overall management of the College’s academic programs, implementation of academic policies, and ensures the development, implementation and outcomes measurement of the optometric curriculum. The VPAA will hold an academic appointment and faculty rank. The VPAA works in concert with the President for institutional planning regarding the achievement of the College’s mission and accepts the primary responsibility for implementation of institutional academic directions.

Those reporting to the VPAA include: the Chair of Optometric Education, the Director of Assessment, the Director of Research, the Director of Externship and Residency Programs, the Director of Academic Support Services, the Director of Instructional Enhancement, the Director of Information Services, the Coordinator of Continuing Education, the Academic Affairs Coordinator, and the Administrative Assistant for the Department of Academic Affairs. The faculty and faculty committees communicate academic issues through the Vice President for Academic Affairs to administration.

Essential Functions

• Supervising curriculum development and review.
• Collaborating on course content and instructional methods.
• Reviewing didactic and clinical course structures.
• Coordinating class and examination schedules.
• Participating in admissions requirements and academic standards.
• Ensuring academic counseling services.
• Overseeing preparation of students for NBEO examinations.
• Contributing to catalogs and academic publications.
• Teaching and/or conducting research as appropriate.

Faculty Leadership, Recruitment & Development

• Assessing faculty staffing needs.
• Overseeing faculty hiring processes.
• Assigning teaching responsibilities and reviewing workloads.
• Administering faculty performance evaluations.
• Designing and implementing faculty development programs.
• Mentoring faculty and supporting professional growth opportunities.
• Representing the College at professional meetings and other networking events for faculty recruitment efforts.

Accreditation, Assessment & Academic Quality Assurance

• Ensuring compliance with accreditation standards.
• Leading accreditation reviews and reporting processes.
• Collaborating with assessment leadership.
• Monitoring educational outcomes and program effectiveness.
• Guiding continuous quality improvement initiatives.

Strategic Planning & Institutional Leadership

• Working with the President on institutional planning.
• Submitting strategic plan updates.
• Consulting with faculty leadership and committees.
• Assisting the President with special assignments.
• Serving in the President's role when necessary.

Administration, Operations & Resource Management

• Supervising academic affairs administrators and support staff.
• Ensuring student equipment needs are identified and fulfilled.
• Coordinating information and survey responses.
• Overseeing academic support functions and reporting units.
• Evaluating all faculty requests for official business leave.

Financial Stewardship & Budget Management

• Supervising budget development for all departments reporting to Academic Affairs.
• Managing expenditures and approvals.
• Reviewing monthly financial reports.
• Ensuring adherence to approved budgets.

Job Specifications

Education:O.D. required. Additional advanced degrees preferred.

Experience:10 years of experience in higher education, administration and management experience, as well as teaching.