If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

Job Description

*This is an in-office position located in Salt Lake City, UT*

The Vice President, Academic Operations is accountable for driving strategic initiatives that enhance faculty excellence, student success, and operational efficiency within the School and University. This role provides clear leadership and fosters collaboration across schools and cross-functional teams to achieve key institutional goals. The Vice President, Academic Operations is responsible for developing and implementing innovative strategies across the student lifecycle, including admission and onboarding, personalized support, field placements, and career alignment. Additionally, they oversee operational planning, business performance management, and faculty workforce development while ensuring alignment with the University’s mission. With a strong focus on continuous improvement, innovation, and student-centered strategies, this role requires a forward-thinking leader who can navigate change, drive results, and build meaningful partnerships. This position is based in WGU’s Salt Lake City, Utah headquarters office.

Responsibilities

Primary Responsibilities

Develops strategy, process, and policy in areas of faculty excellence, customer service, collaboration, communication, and professionalism.Provides clear and effective leadership to School and cross-functional teams to achieve key outcomes and strategic goals at the School, College, and program levels.Leads cross-functional development and deployment of innovation in all facets of the student lifecycle, including but not limited to, admission strategies, personalized support, field placement, internships, work-based learning, and completion strategies.Builds and maintains partnerships with key professional and industry organizations.Leads School-level and contributes meaningfully to University-level strategy and execution of, operational vision, strategic goals, execution, and acceptance; business operating plans and budgets; P&L, business model, and performance against plan; quality assurance, training, and faculty workforce management; and faculty staffing and support models, including hiring, career development, and performance management.Optimizes student lifecycle strategies, including orientation, onboarding, and student success.Manages career and para-curricular services strategy, execution, and optimization.Leads development and implementation of motivational interventions and strategies leading to improving student attainment.Maximizes delivery and effectiveness of cross-college community of care incorporating field placement and support, student internships, work-based learning, career services, and related support.Promotes the integration of simulation and emerging technologies into the student learning experiencePerforms other job-related duties as assigned.

This job description includes a general representation of job requirements rather than a comprehensive inventory of all required responsibilities or work activities.  The contents of this document or related job requirements may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Deep commitment to WGU's student-centric missionProficiency in leading distributed teams, departments, directly and by influenceProficiency in disruptive innovationProficiency in developing leadersThinks Strategically – Communicates to improve and promote teamwork, decision-making, and problem solving. Listens and responds effectively to the reactions and positions of others and encourages the expression of diverse ideas and opinions.  Adjusts message and style to fit the audience. Provides timely and helpful feedback.Executes and Achieves Results – Works cooperatively with others across the organization to achieve shared objectives. Represents own interests while being fair to others and their ideas. Partners with others to get work done. Credits others for their contributions and accomplishments. Gains buy-in, trust, and support of others.Managerial Courage – Deals comfortably with the uncertainty of change. Effectively handles risk. Can decide and act without the total picture.  Is calm and productive even when things are up in the air. Deals constructively with problems that do not have clear solutions or outcomes.Thinks Big/Innovation – Is confident under pressure. Handles and manages crises effectively. Maintains a positive attitude despite adversity. Bounces back from obstacles and setbacks. Grows from hardships and negative experiences.Develops Team and Individuals – Has a strong outcomes-based orientation. Persists in accomplishing objectives despite obstacles and setbacks. Has a track record of successfully exceeding goals. Pushes self and helps others achieve results to positively impact WGU and our students. Has a continuous improvement mindset.Fiscal Responsibility – Clear ownership and delivery of revenue and cost budgets.Leads Change – Is an agent for change, influences others to accept change. Effectively demonstrates own ability to change, shifts gears comfortably, decides and acts without having the complete picture; comfortably handles risk and uncertainty

Education        

Master's degree required

Experience

Minimum five (5) years’ experience in faculty and academic services operations in a large-scale higher education setting.Strong interpersonal, organizational, and conflict resolution skills with the ability to interact with all levels: student, faculty and staff.Proven experience in leading change across a complex organization.Articulate and effective presenter able to build successful inter-organizational relationships.Strong leadership, communication, and strategic planning skills. Experience in scaling operations, improving efficiency, and optimizing organizational structures. Proficiency in data-driven decision-making, performance metrics, and business intelligence tools.

Preferred Qualifications

Doctorate degree.Demonstrated training and experience in coaching, counseling, or motivational methods and strategies.Executive presence and judgement with demonstrated experience presenting to executive management or boards of large organizations.Experience working in education, to include higher ed, non-traditional credentials, and distinct online delivery platforms.Demonstrated expertise in clinical placement coordination, simulation-based education, curriculum development, and accreditation processes. Business development experience in building partnerships with key external organizations and businesses.

Working Conditions

Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times

Compensation 180,000-300,000

Position & Application Details

Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) 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.

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It’s not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.