Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs presso Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD)

Description

SUMMARY:

MCAD is seeking an Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs. This position is responsible for strategic leadership in academic operations, curriculum planning, academic administration, and institutional collaboration to advance MCAD’s mission. This position oversees the semester scheduling process, course and degree plan changes, and supports the development of new academic programs. The Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs must be sensitive to college needs, employee and student goodwill, and overall brand equity of MCAD as an employer and educational institution.

DETAILS: This is a full-time, non-exempt position expected to work 40 hours a week. This position reports to the Vice President of Academic Affairs and is paid $100,000 annually.

TO APPLY: Please submit a resume and cover letter to https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/All/b0ccf9fc-c11e-4ce1-bb54-075eb5c74c59/Minneapolis-College-of-Art-and-Design. Priority will be given to those who respond by November 17, 2025.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Curriculum Planning:

• Oversee the semester schedule planning process.
• Communicate all semester schedule and degree plan changes to internal stakeholders.
• Assist the Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) with the development of new academic programs in MA, BFA, and BS programs.
• Collaborate on the design and develop academic programs with an emphasis on adult learner pathways and online/hybrid modalities.
• Assist the Director of Accreditation and Assessment with institutional research initiatives, data analysis, and assessment of academic programs.

Policy Development:

• Lead the writing, revision, and documentation of academic policies.
• Facilitate collaborative policy development processes
• Review existing policies regularly to identify areas for improvement, consolidation, or alignment with changing institutional needs and external regulations.
• Guide proposals through the governance and approval process.
• Maintain an accessible, up-to-date repository of academic policies and provide clear interpretation to faculty, staff, and students.
• Advise the VPAA and academic leadership on the policy implications of curriculum decisions, accreditation standards, and compliance requirements.

External Partnerships

• Manage academic relationships with sponsored studios, partnered projects, and other collaborative initiatives.
• Consult and coordinate with the Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) and Institutional Advancement to identify and pursue external grant opportunities.
• Support faculty and program leaders in implementing externally funded academic initiatives, ensuring compliance with grant requirements and successful project outcomes.
• Manage academic relationships with sponsored studios and partnered projects, and collaborative relationships with external academic partners.
• Consult and coordinate with Institutional Advancement and VPAA to find and implement external grant opportunities related to the academic endeavor.

General:

• Represent the college in the grievance process when required by the collective bargaining agreements. 
• Serve as a college representative to the Labor Management Collaboration Committee.
• Serve as a member and/or leader on various institutional committees.
• Establish and report on yearly goals and objectives.
• Maintain current professional expertise in the field of higher education.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Represent MCAD’s vision, mission, and values.
• Create and embrace a community of equal opportunities and inclusivity.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has supervisory responsibility for the Senior Director of Academic Support, the Senior Director of Teaching and Learning Excellence, and all professional staff and student workers in related areas.

Requirements

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Masters degree in higher education administration, art and design, or a related academic field, required; doctoral or terminal degree, preferred.
• Five (5) years of progressive experience in academic leadership within higher education, required; experience in art and design education, strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with curriculum planning, program development, and academic scheduling, including collaboration with faculty, strongly preferred.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with a history of effective work across departments and committees, strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated discretion, integrity, and professionalism in handling sensitive information and building a respectful, trust-based team environment, preferred.
• Experience in budget management, strategic planning, and resource allocation, preferred.
• Familiarity with teaching and learning, adult learner pathways, and/or online/hybrid program development, preferred.
• Supervisory experience, including mentoring and evaluating staff or faculty, preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage external partnerships, sponsored projects, and/or grants, preferred.

ENVIRONMENT

This position operates in a professional office environment. This position requires the ability and willingness to closely partner with team members and colleagues in other departments. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Upon request, reasonable accommodation will be provided to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

BENEFITS: MCAD’s community of staff and faculty enjoy a dynamic, creative, and inclusive work environment. We offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, and 403(b) retirement plans, commuter benefits, and employer paid basic life insurance policy, short term and long-term disability coverage.

MCAD promotes work-life balance with a generous time off policy. Employees receive 14 paid holidays, an additional two personal holidays, accrued vacation time, accrued sick time, summer days, and volunteer time off. In addition, after six months of service, full-time employees and their eligible dependents can receive tuition benefits at MCAD, as well as the potential to receive reduced tuition at more than 600 colleges nationwide.

BACKGROUND: Founded in 1886, Minneapolis College of Art and Design is located in the rich creative community of the Twin Cities. Recognized nationally and internationally for its innovative approaches to art and design education, MCAD is home to approximately 800 students from 45 states and 15 countries. The college offers bachelor’s degrees in fourteen disciplines, including arts entrepreneurship, design, fine arts, and media arts; one MFA; three online master’s degrees; and continuing education classes for all ages. Through the core curriculum, students focus on their careers and craft by learning technical and professional skills while developing their creative leadership capabilities. 

MCAD is especially interested in candidates from underrepresented groups as well as individuals who have experience with diverse populations who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the MCAD community.