EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Five College Consortium

Executive Director

Amherst, Massachusetts

Five Colleges, Inc. (FCI), one of the nation’s oldest and most highly regarded higher education consortia, seeks an inspiring and collaborative servant-leader to become its next Executive Director (ED). Since its founding, FCI has consistently provided significant value to its five member institutions: Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, by facilitating intellectual collaboration, seeking economies of scale, and expanding the collective reputation and impact of its member schools.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an entrepreneurial and collaborative leader who has demonstrated experience in creating change in complex and nuanced organizations. FCI is the premier higher education consortia and the potential exists to further elevate the standing of each of its member institutions. Reporting to the chair of the Board of Directors, the next ED will help develop and implement strategic ideas to improve academic and administrative effectiveness, refine FCI’s organizational structure, and serve as a strong financial steward.

To be successful, the next ED must connect deeply to the mission and values of the institutions: academic rigor, mutual respect, diversity, public service, and an unparalleled student experience. The ED must understand the value of collaboration; be equal parts teacher and learner; and recognize that the success of FCI is primarily defined by the success of its affiliated institutions.

The ideal candidate will hold a doctorate and bring experience as a scholar, teacher, and higher education administrator. However, candidates with a master’s degree (especially an MBA or master’s in management) and substantial experience running a small to mid-sized nonprofit organization will be seriously considered. This is a non-tenured position.

A ten-member search committee, including presidents and senior administrators from the five campuses and FCI staff, will conduct the search. The committee is assisted by the executive search firm Isaacson, Miller. Inquiries, nominations, and applications, which will remain confidential, should be directed to the search firm at www.imsearch.com/6234

Five Colleges particularly encourages applications from members of groups under-represented in our higher education workforce.