Senior Vice President- Leavitt School of Health

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Position: Senior Vice President, Leavitt School of Health
Location: Salt Lake City, UT Headquarters: In-office
Travel: Up to 35%

Salary Range: $300,000-$375,000

Overview:
The Senior Vice President (SVP) of the Leavitt School of Health at Western Governors University (WGU) is a strategic leader, passionate about innovation in healthcare education. This role is pivotal in advancing the school's mission to provide accessible, competency-based education that aligns with workforce needs and promotes economic mobility, particularly for underserved populations. The SVP is responsible for leading the school's vision, strategy, and operations, ensuring that it remains at the forefront of healthcare education by responding to industry trends and delivering a relevant and forward-thinking curriculum. Reporting directly to the Chief Academic Officer and Provost, the SVP will also play a key role in building partnerships across the academic and healthcare communities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Vision & Strategy:
  • Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive strategic plan for the Leavitt School of Health, centered around five strategic priorities: Innovative Credential Pathways, Expansion of the Pre-licensure Nursing Program and RN to BSN Program, Industry Partnerships to Advance Student Career Opportunities, Curriculum and Assessment Alignment with Marketable Skills/Industry Standards, and Improving Success and Access for Underserved Students.
  • Anticipate and respond to trends in healthcare and postsecondary education, ensuring that the school's offerings remain cutting-edge and responsive to the needs of a diverse student body, from first-time college students to working professionals.
• Operational Leadership:
  • Oversee all aspects of the school's operations, including student enrollment and outcomes, program development, faculty recruitment and retention, and financial management. Ensure that the school's infrastructure can scale effectively to meet growth targets.
  • Provide executive guidance to leadership within the school, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture that aligns with WGU's mission and strategic objectives.
• Workforce Alignment:
  • Develop and maintain strategic relationships with employers, accrediting bodies, state boards, and other external partners to ensure the school's programs meet industry standards and fulfill the demands of the fast-growing healthcare sector.
  • Ensure the curriculum is aligned with the skills and knowledge required by the healthcare industry, particularly in areas experiencing critical workforce shortages, such as nursing.
• Metrics & Continuous Improvement:
  • Partner with Institutional Analytics and Research to develop, refine, and evaluate key performance indicators that assess the school's success in student enrollment, progress, and completion. Use these metrics to drive continuous improvement and alignment with WGU's academic objectives.
  • Ensure that these metrics emphasize access and graduation for students from low-income backgrounds and students of color, reflecting WGU's commitment to diversity and inclusivity.
• Financial Stewardship:
  • Engage in a collaborative budgeting process with school leaders and WGU's financial team to ensure the school is well-funded and resources are allocated transparently and judiciously according to the school's and the university's strategic priorities.
  • Oversee the school's financial well-being, ensuring that all initiatives are financially sustainable and aligned with the long-term goals of WGU.
• Thought Leadership:
  • Serves as a thought leader within WGU and externally across healthcare education. Represent the university at national and regional forums, sharing insights and best practices that enhance WGU's reputation as a leader in innovative educational strategies.
  • Looks ahead to anticipate changes in the healthcare and educational landscapes, and work with the leadership team and other stakeholders to develop a dynamic and competitive strategic vision that is communicated effectively and implemented successfully.

Qualifications:

• Experience:
  • 10+ years of senior leadership experience in a healthcare or higher education institution, with extensive operational and administrative leadership within a large organization.
  • Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, budget management, and the use of technology to drive organizational success.
  • Strong track record of aligning educational programs with workforce needs, particularly in the healthcare sector.
  • Experience leading a mission-driven organization focusing on student outcomes and operational rigor.
  • Significant executive-level leadership in a higher education institution and healthcare organization that prioritizes student-focused outcomes.
  • Experience managing a P&L within a shared-service setting is preferred.
• Skills & Abilities:
  • Exceptional leadership, strategic planning, and organizational skills, with the ability to inspire and guide Vice President and Director level leaders.
  • Strong communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to foster a collaborative and engaging work environment.
  • Ability to set a future course with a long-range view of 3 to 5 years, adapting strategies to evolving industry and workforce needs.
  • Creative problem solver with managerial courage, willing to tackle complex challenges and think beyond conventional solutions.
  • Results-oriented with solid judgment, accountability, and fiduciary integrity, ensuring that data-driven decisions align with the university's mission.
  • Enthusiasm for continuous improvement, adaptability to respond to changing situations and needs with a sense of urgency and commitment.
• Education:
  • Master's degree in a health-related field required; Doctorate preferred.

Desired Outcomes:

• Develop a strategic direction and long-term vision for the Leavitt School of Health, gaining buy-in from executive leadership, the school's leadership team, and faculty.
• Drive operational rigor to ensure the school's processes and infrastructure can scale to meet agreed-upon targets for student enrollment, outcomes, and faculty metrics.
• Implement an expanding portfolio of health-sector programs that responsibly grow student enrollment year-over-year while improving student and graduate outcomes.
• Maintain a student-focused culture that provides a best-in-class education for students, especially those from underserved populations and those for whom traditional higher education models are not a good fit.
• Ensure that the Leavitt School of Health retains its place as the online learning destination of choice by offering the most relevant curriculum, delivered most effectively, at an affordable price point.
• Uphold WGU's promise of providing employees with a meaningful, enjoyable, and rewarding work experience.

Why Join Us?
At WGU, you'll be part of a mission-driven organization transforming education and healthcare. As the Senior Vice President of the Leavitt School of Health, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of healthcare education, impacting thousands of students and addressing critical workforce shortages. Join us in making a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and the communities they serve.

How to apply: apply online

Full-time Regular Positions(FT classification, standard working hours = 40)

This is a full-time, regular position that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

The University is an equal opportunity employer.All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.