Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs

The University of San Francisco (USF), a diverse, urban, Jesuit Catholic university with a global mission, invites nominations and applications for the role of provost and vice president of academic affairs. The provost will help lead the university as it continues to distinguish itself as a premier academic institution firmly rooted in Jesuit Catholic social justice values and dedicated to educating leaders who will create a more just, humane, and sustainable world. USF seeks a provost who, while working with the USF community of university leaders, Jesuits, faculty, librarians, staff, and students, will provide visionary and collaborative leadership as the university builds upon its 165 years of outstanding teaching and scholarship and its commitment to social justice.

USF is recognized nationally and internationally for its tremendously diverse student, faculty, and staff population and its global perspective. Established as San Francisco’s first institution of higher education in 1855, the University of San Francisco is deeply embedded in the intellectual, spiritual, economic, and cultural life of one of the most innovative, diverse, and dynamic cities in the world. USF serves more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in arts and sciences, education, law, management, and nursing and health professions. USF has 1,120 faculty members (including 461 full-time faculty), 978 staff, and an operating budget of over $426 million.

Reporting directly to President Paul J. Fitzgerald, S.J., and acting as president in his absence, the provost has oversight of academic affairs and administrative responsibility for graduate and undergraduate admissions, financial aid, university-wide planning and budget development, the appointment of faculty, the selection of academic administrators, the curriculum, the library, and academic support services.

The following is expected from the next provost and vice president of academic affairs:

  • Partner with the president and university leaders to advance the mission, values, and strategic vision of the university and align the academic vision with the university's overarching goals and priorities rooted in Jesuit Catholic social justice principles and practices;
  • Strengthen a sense of community and foster a university-wide shared culture grounded in trust, mutual respect, transparency, communication, collaboration, and shared governance;
  • Provide leadership in the enhancement and creation of a comprehensive, strategic, and entrepreneurial academic vision that inspires and unites the campus around shared goals for the future; 
  • Lead the university's operating budgeting and planning process in alignment with the mission, vision, and values of the university and in support of academic priorities;
  • Position the university for long-term growth, academic success, and fiscal sustainability in a dynamic, highly competitive, innovative, and globally interconnected environment;
  • Collaborate with the president, deans, and development colleagues and participate actively and thoughtfully as an ambassador to external audiences and a participant in fundraising campaign activities;
  • Further strengthen an environment in which diversity in all its forms is integral, and foster the creation of programs that increase inclusive excellence among all university communities;
  • Lead from a place of empathy, compassion, energy, enthusiasm, and optimism with a deep understanding of the experiences of and challenges faced by people of color and other underrepresented communities.

The ideal candidate will be an authentic, relationship-oriented, and experienced academic leader with a deep commitment to shared governance and collaboration. Experience at the level of provost, dean, vice provost, or equivalent is expected, as is an earned doctorate or terminal professional degree and a record of scholarly achievement that would merit appointment as full professor. The ideal candidate will have a clear understanding of the myriad challenges faced by a tuition-dependent private university that is home to one of the most diverse student bodies in the country, located in a progressive, urban environment — in one of the country's highest cost-of-living areas — and drawing students, faculty, and staff from all over the world. Outstanding leadership, interpersonal, communications, and strategic planning skills are essential for success, as is financial acumen and the ability to work collaboratively to foster a culture of mutual trust and respect, collaboration, and transparency. The ideal candidate will bring demonstrated leadership in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and global engagement; a profound commitment and eagerness to embrace the Jesuit Catholic mission and core values; a deep understanding of the ideas and practice of social justice; and an excitement to reflect those values in one's work.

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 which can be found at www.wittkieffer.com. WittKieffer is assisting the University of San Francisco in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by Dec. 4, 2020. Submit application materials to the WittKieffer candidate portal. Direct confidential nominations and inquiries to Suzanne Teer, Jean Dowdall, PhD, Alejandra Gillette-Teran, and Julia Venetos at USanFranciscoProvost@wittkieffer.com.

The University of San Francisco is an equal opportunity institution of higher education. The University does not discriminate in employment, educational services, or academic programs on the basis of an individual's race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age (except minors), sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition (cancer-related and genetic-related) and disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. The University reasonably accommodates qualified individuals with disabilities under the law.