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Academic Executive Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Tidewater Tech

Campus Executive Director

Norfolk, VA · On-site

With high academic standards and hands-on training, we create a learning environment that supports ... CAMPUS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Tidewater Tech - Two Campus Locations in Norfolk, VA Lead the Campus.

Kalaniyot

Executive Director

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$230K - $330K/yr

... advancing academic excellence by deepening ties with Israeli researchers and cultivating a ... The Role The Executive Director is the senior organizational leader of the Foundation, reporting ...

New

The Moran Company

Executive Director

Edmonds, WA · On-site +1

$100K - $105K/yr

Executive Director Munchausen Support Edmonds, Washington (remote) The Moran Company is pleased to ... academic professionals. * Fundraising Proven Success: Demonstrated success in donor cultivation ...

Centura College

Campus Executive Director

Norfolk, VA · On-site

Business Purpose The Campus Executive Director is responsible for the overall success and long-term ... Academic & Student Experience Leadership: Champion academic quality and the overall student ...

Envision Consulting

Executive Director

Pasadena, CA · On-site

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ABOUT STEAM:CODERS STEAM:CODERS expands access to high-quality science ... future academic and career opportunities. Through small classes, project-based learning, and ...

William & Mary

Executive Director SURN

Williamsburg, VA · On-site

$125K - $150K/yr

Executive Director SURNSkip to main content# CareersExecutive Director SURN page is loaded ... that academic excellence depends upon sustained collaboration across the educator development ...

Envision Consulting

Executive Director

Pasadena, CA · On-site

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ABOUT STEAM:CODERS STEAM:CODERS expands access to high-quality science ... future academic and career opportunities. Through small classes, project-based learning, and ...

Centura College

Campus Executive Director

Norfolk, VA · On-site

Business Purpose The Campus Executive Director is responsible for the overall success and long-term ... Academic & Student Experience Leadership: Champion academic quality and the overall student ...

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Academic Executive Director information

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$86.1K

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How much do academic executive director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for academic executive director in the United States is $86,087.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $63,000.00 and $102,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an academic executive director?

An Academic Executive Director is a senior-level administrator responsible for overseeing the academic operations and strategic direction of an educational institution, department, or program. Their duties often include developing academic policies, managing faculty and staff, ensuring compliance with educational standards, and fostering academic excellence. They collaborate with other leaders to set goals, allocate resources, and drive initiatives that support the institution’s mission. This role requires strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills, along with experience in academia.

How does an academic executive director typically collaborate with faculty and administrative staff to achieve institutional goals?

An Academic Executive Director works closely with both faculty and administrative teams to ensure academic programs align with the institution's mission and strategic objectives. They often facilitate regular meetings, encourage open communication, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration to address academic challenges. By bridging the gap between academic and administrative functions, they help streamline processes, allocate resources effectively, and support faculty development. This collaborative approach is essential for maintaining academic quality and driving continuous improvement within the institution.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an academic executive director, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Academic Executive Director, you need advanced academic credentials (often a doctorate), leadership experience in higher education, and expertise in curriculum development and program management. Familiarity with accreditation processes, institutional data systems, and learning management platforms is typically required. Strategic vision, strong interpersonal skills, and effective communication set outstanding leaders apart in this role. These skills and qualities are vital for guiding academic programs, fostering faculty development, and ensuring institutional excellence.

What states have the most Academic Executive Director jobs?

States with the most job openings for Academic Executive Director jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Academic Executive Director jobs?

For Academic Executive Director jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Academic Executive Director job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,087 per year, or $41.4 per hour.

Campus Executive Director

Norfolk, VA • On-site

Tidewater Tech
Education Programs Administration • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about Tidewater Techexternal

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 14 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Own overall business performance for both campuses, including P&L accountability, revenue growth, budgeting, forecasting, operational efficiency, and long-term financial sustainability.

  • Lead campus leadership teams to achieve enrollment, retention, graduation, placement, and financial performance goals.

  • Directly manage the Director of Education at each campus and ensure academic quality, instructional excellence, and compliance with regulatory standards.

Job description

Training Tomorrow's Technicians to Become Skilled, Employable and Essential.
About Us - Big Changes, Better Benefits - Join us!
At Tidewater Tech, we are committed to helping adult students develop the skills necessary for meaningful entry-level careers. Founded in 1969, our institution is steeped in a tradition of career education and workforce development. As a leading educational provider in the trade industry, our programs, designed in collaboration with industry leaders, ensure that students are well-prepared for today's workplace. With high academic standards and hands-on training, we create a learning environment that supports student success. At Tidewater Tech, we're dedicated to shaping the next generation of skilled professionals.
CAMPUS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Tidewater Tech - Two Campus Locations in Norfolk, VA
Lead the Campus. Drive the Mission. Deliver Results.
Business Purpose
The Campus Executive Director is responsible for the overall success and long-term performance of two Tidewater Tech campuses. As the senior executive leader for both locations, this role drives operational excellence, financial performance, academic quality, regulatory compliance, and student outcomes while ensuring each campus delivers on the institution's mission to prepare students for successful careers in the skilled trades.
Through strategic leadership, sound financial stewardship, data-driven decision making, and the development of high-performing leadership teams, the Campus Executive Director creates an environment where students, employees, and the institution thrive. Success is measured through sustainable enrollment growth, student retention and graduation, career placement outcomes, employee engagement, operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and the overall health and culture of each campus.
Key Competencies:
  • Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute long-term business strategies that drive sustainable enrollment growth, operational excellence, and financial performance across both campuses.
  • Academic & Student Experience Leadership: Champion academic quality and the overall student experience by ensuring instructional excellence, student engagement, persistence, graduation, and career readiness.
  • High-Level Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain relationships with key industry partners, accrediting bodies, and community organizations to foster collaboration and support campus initiatives.
  • Broader Accountability: Lead the financial strategy for the campus, ensuring sustainable growth and efficient resource allocation to support long-term goals.
  • Decision-Making & Influence: Lead campus hiring decisions, shaping the organizational structure to meet strategic objectives, and ensuring staff performance aligns with campus goals.
  • Enhance Outcome Focus: Drive measurable improvements in student outcomes and operational efficiency, with accountability for key performance indicators such as graduation rates, job placement success, and campus financial performance.

Core Responsibilities
Strategic, Operational & Financial Leadership
  • Own overall business performance for both campuses, including P&L accountability, revenue growth, budgeting, forecasting, operational efficiency, and long-term financial sustainability.
  • Develop and execute strategic growth plans aligned with organizational priorities.
  • Develop enrollment forecasts and operational plans that align staffing, instructional capacity, and financial performance.
  • Lead campus leadership teams to achieve enrollment, retention, graduation, placement, and financial performance goals.
  • Drive operational excellence through continuous process improvement and effective resource allocation.
  • Oversee campus facilities, capital planning, and operational investments while evaluating future expansion opportunities.
  • Identify and mitigate operational, financial, regulatory, and reputational risks impacting campus performance
Academic Quality & Regulatory Compliance
  • Directly manage the Director of Education at each campus while maintaining accountability for academic quality, instructional excellence, and student learning outcomes.
  • Champion a student-centered learning environment that promotes engagement, persistence, graduation, and career readiness.
  • Ensure compliance with accrediting agencies, state regulators, Title IV, Title IX, and all institutional policies.
  • Lead accreditation visits, audits, compliance reviews, and regulatory reporting.
  • Partner with academic leadership to ensure curriculum, instructional delivery, and academic resources remain aligned with employer and student needs.

Team Leadership & Matrix Collaboration
  • Directly lead, coach, and develop the campus leadership team across Academics, Admissions, Student Financial Services, Student & Career Success, and Compliance.
  • Build and sustain a high-performing, mission-driven culture centered on accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and exceptional student service.
  • Recruit, develop, and retain campus leaders while building a strong succession pipeline for critical leadership positions.
  • Establish clear performance expectations, provide ongoing coaching and feedback, and hold leaders accountable for achieving campus and organizational objectives.
  • Partner effectively with Corporate functional leaders through a matrix leadership structure to ensure alignment with institutional standards, initiatives, and best practices.
  • Lead organizational change initiatives while fostering employee engagement, adaptability, and operational excellence.

Community, Industry & Stakeholder Engagement
  • Represent both campuses as the senior executive leader within the community.
  • Develop strategic partnerships with employers, workforce agencies, military organizations, secondary schools, community leaders, and advisory boards.
  • Strengthen employer relationships to support graduate placement, curriculum relevance, and workforce development initiatives.
  • Promote Tidewater Tech's mission and reputation throughout the communities served

Data-Driven Performance Management
  • Leverage dashboards, KPIs, and operational reporting to evaluate campus performance and identify improvement opportunities.
  • Translate business insights into actionable strategies that improve enrollment, student outcomes, employee performance, and financial results.
  • Monitor organizational health across both campuses and proactively address emerging trends and challenges.
  • Regularly communicate campus performance, strategic initiatives, and business results to executive leadership.

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Must have at least five (5) years of management experience in post-secondary education, preferably in private, for-profit, career-focused, or trade/technical settings
  • Experience directly managing leaders across Admissions, Financial Aid, Student & Career Success, Compliance, and Education/Academics
  • Demonstrated ownership of academic quality and the overall student academic experience
  • Experience operating in a matrix organization - managing direct reports while maintaining strong dotted-line relationships with corporate functional leaders
  • Proven success managing revenue, P&L, budgeting, and financial performance
  • Demonstrated history of improving student outcomes (retention, graduation, placement)
  • Working knowledge of Title IV, Title IX, and accreditation and regulatory compliance standards
  • Ability to manage two campus locations, including regular travel between sites
  • Superb interpersonal, communication, analytical, and strategic planning skills
  • Ability and willingness to work outside of regular work shifts, including evenings and/or weekends as necessary or as requested by Supervisor.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's Degree
  • Experience in Admissions
  • Experience with Anthology or other Student Information Systems (SIS) preferred.

What We Offer
In addition to a competitive salary range up to $150,000 base + performance bonus, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:
  • 401(k) and Matching:Secure your future with our competitive retirement savings plan.
  • Comprehensive Health Coverage: Enjoy Health, Dental, and Vision insurance to keep you and your family healthy.
  • Life Insurance: Peace of mind with life insurance options.
  • Parental Leave: Support for new parents during important life transitions.
  • Paid Time Off: Recharge with paid time off to promote work-life balance.
  • Retirement Plan: Additional options to help you save for retirement.
  • Employee Assistance Program:Access to resources for personal and professional support.
  • Tuition Reimbursement:Invest in your future with financial support for further education.

We are committed to providing a rewarding compensation package that supports both your professional growth and personal well-being.
TTT is a proud equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We believe that a diverse workforce contributes to the success of our company and are dedicated to fostering a culture of respect, equity, and inclusion.

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