Senior Vice President and Provost

The University of Utah (the U) seeks an experienced, innovative, and distinguished academic leader to guide the academic affairs division as its next Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost (SVPAA). 

The University of Utah was founded in 1850, and its main campus is located in Salt Lake City on the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains, neighboring seven world-class ski resorts. Its Utah and international campuses serve more than 34,000 students from across the U.S. and around the world. With more than 100 major subjects at the undergraduate level and 90 major fields of study at the graduate level, the university prepares students to live and compete in the global workplace. The U, with its emphasis on sustainability and environmental responsibility, encourages an active, holistic lifestyle and collaborative thinking to engage students, faculty, and business leaders. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Utah as an R1: Doctoral University-Very High Research Institution. In 2019, the University of Utah was invited to join the prestigious Association of American Universities, which requires its member institutions to engage at the highest levels of research, scholarship, and education. Notably, in fiscal year 2021, the university obtained a historic high of over $640 million in research funding and awards, which benefits higher education, the state of Utah, and society as a whole by creating new knowledge, jobs, and patents. In 2017, the Milken Institute recognized the U as No. 1 in its Best Universities for Technology Transfer listing. The U is also a member of the Pac-12 Conference, reflecting and enhancing not only athletics but our academic and research excellence. 

The U leads not only in research and instruction but in innovation as well, including in its nationally heralded health care system. In 2022, for the seventh consecutive year, the University of Utah Hospital was ranked No. 1 in Utah by U.S. News & World Report. Unique among its peers, the university’s health sciences campus and principal campus are contiguously located, providing unparalleled opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and discovery. 

The university is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism, which is central to its mission and is evident throughout its campuses and curriculum. Candidates must be inclusive in their methods and perspectives and create a culture where these practices can flourish. The next SVPAA/Provost of the university must be committed to developing leadership across races, genders, and cultures. The SVPAA/Provost must cultivate supportive environments where all university community members feel safe to engage in intellectual exploration. 

The SVPAA/Provost carries primary responsibility for setting the academic vision and strategic focus and for directing and enhancing the academic mission of the University of Utah, at both the undergraduate and graduate/professional levels. Responsibilities include academic planning, long-range planning, oversight of academic personnel, budget planning, enrollment management, institutional information resources, and student admissions and retention. The incumbent reports directly to the university President and is responsible for the alignment of the academic and budget priorities. The university seeks an SVPAA/Provost who possesses a strong academic background, research, and teaching credentials sufficient to qualify for the rank of tenured professor, and who demonstrates a commitment to both undergraduate and graduate/professional education. Knowledge of the current higher education environment and related academic affairs issues and a strong commitment to shared governance is also required. As a member of the executive leadership team, the incumbent must have the ability to actively participate in the strategic direction of the university. For more information, please visit www.wittkieffer.com

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile. WittKieffer is assisting the University of Utah in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by July 22, 2022.

Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal. Nominations and inquiries can be directed to: Zachary A. Smith, Ph.D., Jeff Compher, and Julia Bradley UtahSVPandProvost@wittkieffer.com.

ADDITIONAL HR INFORMATION
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students from diverse backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education for historically underrepresented students. Individuals from historically underrepresented groups, such as minorities, women, qualified persons with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with university policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities. 

The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The university does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

The university is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.