Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering hiring Vice Provost in Needham, Massachusetts, United States | LinkedIn (2024)

Job DescriptionPOSITION SUMMARY:The Vice Provost facilitates the daily operations of Academic Affairs and serves under the direction of the Chief Academic Officer and Provost (CAOP). In support of faculty affairs and institutional strategic initiatives, the Vice Provost provides administrative leadership of Olin’s faculty through direct support, accountability, and continual professional development. The Vice Provost serves as the Academic Affairs lead for inclusion, access, and belonging, and represents Academic Affairs as needed both internally and in external collaborations, such as with institutional external partners.

The College has recently launched a major strategic initiative, College as a Living Lab, intended to incorporate new and upcoming major capital initiatives, with transformative academic programming. This effort will result in the development of a master plan and fundraising program, the goal of which will be to transform the present campus into one of the first carbon-neutral, predictively maintained campuses in the country. The Vice Provost will be a key leader in this effort, working with faculty on strategic initiatives and implementation.

Olin’s mission is transforming engineering education toward a world in which engineering serves everyone. Olin defines engineering broadly, from understanding people and their needs, to designing solutions, to creating new technologies and services to benefit people and society. We seek individuals who prioritize active learning and who are excited about whole-person education, committed to growing and learning, and dedicated to creating a culture of belonging and inclusion in undergraduate engineering education.

As a small campus, the in-person experience and cross-team collaboration is what helps build a strong, dynamic community for our students, faculty and staff. This is an in-person/on-campus position based in Needham, MA.

Responsibilities

• Lead major academic initiatives as directed by the CAOP
• Work closely with other members of the Academic Life Leadership Team, faculty, and staff
• Supervise the following positions, including overseeing budgets, personnel matters, evaluation, and strategic planning: Associate Deans, Laboratories and Shops
• Assist the CAOP in the development and assessment of an academic strategic plan, budget development and management, internal communications, and special projects or initiatives
• Support the effective administration of academic affairs through facilitation of regular meetings or communications with campus academic leaders and faculty
• Collaborate with the CAOP to ensure faculty have the resources needed to deliver on their objectives, including academic support, financial resources, space, etc.
• Develop and implement support programs for faculty research, including the growth of faculty research grants
• Work with faculty and staff to secure grants and other external funding as well as internal resources to support the work of Academic Affairs
• Serve as an intermediary between the Office of the Provost, the Reappointment and Promotion Committee, and candidates for reappointment and promotion
• Lead faculty evaluation, including Annual Reviews (evaluative and developmental aspects; redesign faculty evaluations and reappointment & promotion process as Olin’s mission evolves
• Working with the CAOP to identify areas for institutional fundraising initiatives.
• Develop and maintain faculty-related academic policies and the Faculty Handbook; Update policies and the Handbook annually with changes initiated by the Faculty, the CAOP, and Olin’s Leadership team
• In collaboration with Human Resources, facilitate and oversee the creation and implementation of innovative programs for faculty orientation and onboarding (full-time faculty, visitors, and adjuncts), career development and other means of professional development, encouraging a culture of equity, excellence and discovery
• Serve as a campus leader in accreditation activities, securing continued accreditation of Olin’s degrees
• Partner with the Registrar as the faculty course assignment liaison
• Act as the primary advisor to the CAOP and in close collaboration with Financial Affairs and Human Resources on staffing configuration and planning, including faculty searches and appointments
• In collaboration with Human Resources, serve as the faculty hiring liaison and support personnel issues as needed
• Oversee all faculty committees that work in various avenues of the College and serve as College’s major initiative liaison; provide operational support for faculty serving on committees (First Year Coordinator, ARB, R&P, Appointments & Search)
• Engage and coordinate institutional external partnerships
• Engage with College academic mission and vision initiatives
• Performing other duties as needed in consultation with the CAOP

Experience And Qualifications

• PhD or other doctoral terminal degree
• Demonstrated leadership experience in an academic environment
• Experience in effective mentoring and development in an academic setting
• A desire to contribute to the growth of Engineering for Everyone
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Expertise in negotiation and coaching with strong team building and conflict resolution skills
• Exceptional planning, organizational, program development and implementation skills
• Strong verbal/written communication skills (i.e. focused on reporting for/to leadership); ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion
• Ability to be creative, willing to try new things, to take appropriate risks, and to work across disciplinary boundaries
• A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Eagerness to engage in development and improvement of academic programs
• Ability to strategically prioritize resources necessary for program support

Company DescriptionOlin College of Engineering seeks employees who are passionate about working collaboratively within and outside of the Olin community to support the College’s mission and vision for the future. At Olin, we are educating the next generation of engineering innovators and shifting the definition of engineering. Not only do our students ask, “Who are we designing this for, and what are their values?” They also ask questions about the impact of their work on society.

As Olin evolves under the leadership of our president, Dr. Gilda Barabino, we seek to become a more diverse and aware community, a place where everyone is a learner and where everyone is an educator. Olin will become a place where experimentation—including making and learning from mistakes—will be embraced across the institution, not just in the classroom. Collaboration is key to Olin’s curriculum and culture, and we will work intentionally to reinforce the values and culture to which we aspire. We are a community that thrives on being together; we value trust. The College supports teams to collaboratively decide how they can best do their work, and display a commitment to the community, all while providing individuals with overall work-life flexibility.

Olin College is situated on 75 acres in Needham, Massachusetts. We are approximately ten miles from Boston, one mile from the MBTA Commuter Rail train station, and approximately four miles from the Woodland Station for the MBTA Green Line. We have plenty of free parking on campus. You can find more details on our Visiting Campus page.

• Take a Virtual Campus Tour: From the moment you step on campus at Olin, you feel a buzz of energy and activity—and once you experience it, you want to be a part of it.

Olin College is committed to supporting an innovative, integrated learning and working environment. As a small campus, the in-person experience and cross-team collaboration is what helps build a strong, dynamic community for our students, faculty and staff. Typically, most roles at Olin College are intended to be in-person and on-campus. Certain paid positions may be eligible for flexible working arrangements, at the College’s sole discretion. Any approved remote work arrangement for pay must be performed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts where Olin is registered to do business. Individual flexible and remote work options can be discussed during the interview process.

BenefitsOlin College prides itself on offering to faculty and staff comprehensive benefits that provide both choice and value. These benefits are an important part of total compensation.

Full-time employees scheduled to work at least 30 hours per week may be eligible for the following benefits:

Core Benefits

• Medical (three different options)
• Dental
• Vision
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance (company paid)
• Paid Family Medical Leave
• Long Term Disability (company paid)
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with company match
• Liberal sick and vacation time and paid holidays
• Free parking

Additional Benefits

• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Business Travel Insurance
• Supplemental 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Travel Assistance Services (company paid)
• Health Care Management Program
• Pet Insurance

Please note that benefits are subject to change at any time.Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

At Olin College we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace. If you’re excited about a role and have relevant experience, but your work history doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we'd nevertheless encourage you to apply.

Olin College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We especially welcome applications from candidates belonging to groups that have been historically underrepresented in higher education, including women, racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA people, and people with disabilities. Employees of the College who have a disability are welcome to request reasonable accommodations by contacting Human Resources at HR@olin.edu.