Executive Director for Online@VCU

Virginia Commonwealth University invites applications for Executive Director for Online@VCU. Reporting to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Executive Director will provide vision and leadership to further online and hybrid learning programs across the University. VCU is a community-engaged, research-intensive institution that strives to leverage its diversity and urban location to educate students and develop innovations that solve challenges to society.

The chief purpose of this position will be to provide strategic leadership in developing, expanding and enhancing VCU’s online learning program. The Executive Director will work closely with senior academic administrators, deans and their faculty to promote online teaching excellence; leverage technology to optimize student learning; energize the assessment of current and new online programs. The Executive Director will provide strategic leadership for technology integration and will work with internal and external partners to broadly support instructional design, quality standards and evaluation. Additionally, will oversee all aspects of Online@VCU unit operations, advance the mission of online education at VCU, and ensure our academic policies and guidelines are consistent with emerging and extant guidelines for online and distance education.  

Specific Responsibilities

  • Articulate a vision for Online@VCU
  • Build consensus among diverse stakeholder groups for an Online@VCU strategic plan
  • Convene with academic leadership to co-construct Online@VCU priorities and programming
  • Develop and implement strategies and programs that enhance education quality, optimize the learning experience, and meet the needs of a diverse body of learners
  • Direct program marketing efforts including the development of advertising materials and the evaluation of advertising and marketing strategies
  • Ensure compliance with institutional, legal, regulatory, and industry guidelines
  • Establish strategic priorities that further online, hybrid and distance learning outcomes across colleges and schools
  • Identify emerging technology opportunities and advances in learning theory
  • Manage unit operations to include building a team; overseeing project management and supervising as appropriate
  • Negotiate external relationships with third party vendors
  • Oversee overall financial management, planning and performance of Online@VCU
  • Partner with other university units, such as the Office of Faculty Affairs, the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence and Technology Services to support faculty in fostering engaging and innovative learning environments
  • Provide expert counsel in the development and revision of institutional policies and guidelines as necessary
  • Set appropriate and meaningful goals for Online@VCU and regularly evaluate the effectiveness of programs and initiatives
  • Support the overall growth of online programs and extending meaningful educational opportunities to additional audiences

Required Qualifications

  • Advanced degree
  • Broad knowledge of learning delivery systems and experience with learning management systems, computer platforms, and authoring software
  • Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU
  • Demonstrated track record of project management, data analysis and research
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills that easily translate for academic and community audiences
  • Experience in the systematic evaluation of online programs, with a specific focus on quality improvement
  • Extensive knowledge of learning theories, adolescent/adult education, instructional design, outcomes-based assessment in online higher education and best practices in online program design
  • Five or more years of experience in higher education online/ distance education programs
  • Knowledge of best practices and emerging trends in online education, teaching and learning
  • Strong administrative and leadership skills

Preferred Qualifications

  • Doctoral degree in educational technology, instructional design, higher education leadership, information systems or related area
  • Experience in a strategic administrator role in a university setting
  • Expertise in instructional technology such as Desire2Learn, Moodle, or Canvas; Blackboard experience preferred

How to Apply

Inquiries, nominations, and applications are invited. The search will be conducted with a commitment of confidentiality for candidates until finalists are selected. Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc. is assisting Virginia Commonwealth University in this search. Initial screening of applications will begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made. Submission of materials as PDF attachments is strongly encouraged. Confidential inquiries, nominations, and application materials should be directed to Greenwood/Asher. Basic personal and demographic information must also be submitted to VCU’s job site https://www.vcujobs.com/postings/58332

For more information and to apply, please contact:

Jan Greenwood, Betty Turner Asher, Partners, or

Mike Minton, Executive Search Consultant
Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc.
42 Business Center Drive, Suite 206
Miramar Beach, FL 32550
Phone: 850.650.2277tFax: 850.650.2272
Email: jangreenwood@greenwoodsearch.com
Email: bettyasher@greenwoodsearch.com

Email: mikeminton@greenwoodsearch.com

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, veteran’s status, political affiliation or disability.