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Vice President of Digital Learning and Operational Effectiveness

Non-Bargaining Unit

FLSA Status: Exempt

Grade: Unclassified

BASIC FUNCTION

The Vice President of Digital Learning and Operational Effectiveness is the institution’s senior leader responsible for shaping and executing a unified digital learning strategy that strengthens quality, expands access, and elevates the student experience across all modalities. This executive oversees the full digital learning ecosystem—including online program development, academic technologies, and enterprise systems—while driving operational excellence from inquiry through graduation.

The VP leads cross institutional efforts to modernize processes, integrate technology platforms, and ensure that students experience seamless, high quality support throughout their academic journey. This role is central to advancing institutional competitiveness, scaling online and hybrid learning, and building a data driven operational infrastructure that supports student success at every stage.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Digital Learning Strategy & Innovation

• Develop and implement a comprehensive digital learning strategy that supports online, hybrid, and technology enhanced on campus instruction.
• Partner with academic leadership to expand high demand online programs, ensure instructional quality, and align offerings with workforce and market needs.
• Lead initiatives that advance digital pedagogy and faculty development.
• Oversee digital content strategy, course development processes, and quality assurance frameworks.

Operational Effectiveness & Process Modernization

• Build a culture of operational excellence across enrollment, student support, and academic operations.
• Design workflows to reduce friction, improve service delivery, and increase conversion, persistence, and completion.
• Establish KPIs, dashboards, and performance systems to monitor operational health and drive continuous improvement.
• Lead cross functional projects that streamline policies, enhance communication flows, and improve institutional agility.

Technology Systems & Digital Infrastructure

• Provide executive oversight for CRM, SIS, LMS, marketing automation, advising platforms, and student success technologies.
• Ensure systems are integrated, optimized, and leveraged to support recruitment, retention, teaching, and learning.
• Partner with IT to evaluate, implement, and scale enterprise solutions that enhance automation, analytics, and user experience.
• Champion data governance, reporting accuracy, and analytics maturity across academic and operational units.

Student Experience: Inquiry Through Graduation

• Own the end to end digital student experience, ensuring seamless transitions from recruitment to enrollment, advising, retention, and completion.
• Co-lead student success operations, advising models, and retention strategies that support diverse learner populations.
• Implement service standards, communication frameworks, and experience design principles that elevate satisfaction and reduce barriers.
• Use data, student feedback, and journey mapping to identify pain points and drive improvements.

Cross Institutional Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead and develop high performing teams across digital learning, academic technology, operations, and student success.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the President, Provost, and Executive Leadership Team (ELT) on digital transformation, online learning, and operational performance.
• Oversee online budget.
• Collaborate with Academic Affairs, Enrollment Management, IT, Marketing, and Finance to align resources and priorities.
• Represent the institution with external partners and vendors.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and productive university culture that supports collaboration, engagement, and student success.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

• Reports directly to the Vermont State University President.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

• Direct supervision of employees in the learning management systems team focused on online students.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in business administration, higher education leadership, public administration, or a related field and minimum of ten (10) years of progressive leadership in digital learning, online education, academic technology, or operational transformation.
• Demonstrated success scaling online programs, modernizing operations, and leading complex change.
• Expertise with CRM, SIS, LMS, and analytics platforms; strong understanding of digital pedagogy and online program operations.
• Proven ability to lead large teams, manage cross-functional initiatives, and drive institutional alignment.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, communication, and data-driven decision-making skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Doctorate.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• Visionary, systems-level thinker with the ability to integrate digital strategy, academic quality, and operational effectiveness.
• Student-centered leader committed to access, equity, and high-quality learning experiences.
• Collaborative executive who builds trust, transparency, and shared ownership across the institution.
• Results-oriented operator who thrives in dynamic, evolving environments.

Compensation:

• The budgeted compensation for this position is $145,000 to $160,000. 

Location:

• This position may be based on any Vermont State University campus or performed remotely. If remote, the incumbent must reside in a U.S. state in which the Vermont State Colleges System is authorized and registered to conduct business.

This general outline illustrates the type of work which characterizes this job classification. It is not an all-encompassing statement of the specific duties, responsibilities and qualifications of individual positions assigned.