Chief Academic Officer and Senior Vice President

Req Id: 41522 Job Title: Chief Academic Officer and Senior Vice President City: REMOTE **The Opportunity** ------------------- Purdue University Global is entering an exciting new phase in delivering student success, workforce alignment, and innovation at scale online. To meet this moment, Purdue Global seeks a visionary, collaborative, and execution\-oriented leader to serve as its next Chief Academic Officer and Senior Vice President (CAO). Reporting directly to the CEO and serving as second\-in\-command in a collaborative leadership team, this role offers a rare combination of enterprise\-wide influence and operational leadership. The CAO will lead the academic enterprise of a large, complex online university serving tens of thousands of working adult learners across the country and around the world. This is a role for a leader energized by building and evolving systems that deliver outcomes, not just access, at scale. The next CAO will help define what high\-quality, workforce\-aligned, technology\-enabled education looks like for the modern adult learner. At its core, this opportunity sits at the intersection of: * Scale and personalization – delivering individualized student success in a high\-volume environment * Innovation and rigor – advancing AI\-enabled learning while maintaining academic quality and accreditation standards * Strategy and execution – translating vision into measurable outcomes across a complex organization For the right leader, this is a chance to shape not only an institution, but the future of online higher education. **Position Summary** -------------------- The Chief Academic Officer serves as the senior academic leader of Purdue University Global and a key member of the executive leadership team. In close partnership with the CEO, the CAO will: * Provide strategic leadership across all academic programs and operations * Oversee Deans, academic leadership, and student success units * Drive innovation in curriculum and delivery models, including AI\-enabled learning * Ensure academic quality, accreditation, and regulatory compliance This role operates at the intersection of academic strategy, student success, and institutional transformation—helping define the future of online higher education. First\-Year Priorities * Translate institutional strategy into a clear academic roadmap with defined milestones * Strengthen student success outcomes through data\-driven interventions * Evaluate and evolve the academic portfolio to ensure workforce alignment * Advance AI\-integrated and technology\-enabled learning models * Strengthen alignment across academics, enrollment, and student support functions * Enhance faculty recruitment, development, and performance frameworks * Enhance coordination and collaboration with Purdue University and other institutions and partners **Key Responsibilities** *Executive Leadership \& Strategy* * Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO * Translate institutional vision into academic strategy and execution * Foster collaboration across academics, enrollment, and operations * Academic Operations \& Curriculum * Provide executive oversight of all academic schools and Deans * Lead development of workforce\-aligned, future\-focused programs * Integrate emerging technologies and AI into curriculum and delivery *Student Success* * Drive improvements in retention, persistence, and graduation rates * Ensure alignment between academic programs and student support services *Faculty Leadership* * Oversee recruitment, development, and performance of faculty * Evolve faculty models to support a distributed, technology\-enabled environment * Academic Quality \& Compliance * Ensure academic rigor, integrity, and accreditation compliance * Maintain strong relationships with accrediting bodies and regulators **Who This Role Will Appeal To** This role will resonate most with leaders who: * Have experience scaling academic or learning models in complex organizations * Bring deep understanding of adult learners and workforce\-aligned education * Are energized by building future\-oriented systems that deliver measurable outcomes at scale * Thrive in environments that require both strategic thinking and disciplined execution * Are comfortable navigating complexity, ambiguity, and rapid change **Candidate Profile** --------------------- **Experience and Qualifications** * Terminal degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., or equivalent) * 10\+ years of progressive leadership experience in higher education * Senior\-level experience (Dean, Vice President, or equivalent) * Demonstrated expertise in online education and adult learner populations * Proven success improving student outcomes and launching academic programs * Experience managing complex academic organizations and budgets **Core Competencies** * Strategic leadership and execution * Innovation and future orientation * Collaborative influence across complex stakeholder groups * Operational and financial acumen * Student\-centered mindset * Change leadership **Metrics of Success** * Improvements in retention, persistence, and graduation rates * Growth in enrollment within high\-demand, workforce\-aligned programs * Speed and effectiveness of program development and updates * Faculty engagement, performance, and retention * Operational alignment across academic and student support functions * Successful integration of AI and technology into curriculum **Compensation and Benefits** * Base Salary: \~$270,000 – $300,000 (commensurate with experience) * Performance\-based incentives * Comprehensive executive benefits package * Retirement contributions * Remote work flexibility **Procedure for Candidacy** --------------------------- **Applications should include:** * A detailed curriculum vitae * A letter of interest outlining leadership experience and vision in the context of this opportunity **For best consideration, candidates are encouraged to submit materials by May 4, 2026, though the search will remain open until the position is filled.** **EOE** ------- A background check will be required for this position. Purdue University Global is an EO/EA University Posting Start Date: 4/12/26