Director Academic Excellence Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $223,776.00 - $402,801.00 Annually
Location : UH Manoa, Honolulu, HI
Job Type: Full-Time Permanent
Job Number: 2026-00151
Department: University of Hawai'i at Manoa - Executive Search
Opening Date: 01/28/2026
Position Number:: 0089169
Description
Title: Vice Provost for Academic Excellence
Hiring Unit: Office of the Provost, Manoa
Position Number: 0089169
Date Posted: January 28, 2026
Closing Date: Continuous recruitment. For first consideration, submit an application by March 24, 2026. Review of applications will begin on or about April 9, 2026and will continue until the position is filled.
Employee Type: Executive/Managerial (E/M)
INTRODUCTION
The Vice Provost for Academic Excellence (VPAE) serves as the deputy academic officer and senior policy advisor to the Provost at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, a Carnegie R1 research university and a Land, Sea, Space, and Sun-Grant institution. The VPAE is a member of the Manoa Cabinet and Provost's Council and provides leadership for academic planning, program development, and cross-campus academic initiatives.
This position oversees academic programs across undergraduate and graduate levels, working closely with deans and directors to ensure that offerings are high-quality, interdisciplinary, and responsive to campus and state needs. The VPAE also supports faculty excellence through oversight of faculty development and academic personnel offices, and leads efforts to enhance academic leadership and support structures.
Units under the VPAE include the Office of General Education, Honors, Interdisciplinary Studies, ROTC programs, Academic Personnel, and Faculty Development and Support.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As a senior campus executive, serves as the deputy campus chief academic officer and senior academic policy advisor. Provides leadership in developing policies and procedures related to academic excellence in areas including but not limited to undergraduate and graduate/professional education, program assessment, honors and military programs, and faculty human resources. Promotes academic excellence through support of faculty, relevant curriculum, research opportunities, innovative programs that meet 21st century challenges and integrating the Manoa campus strategic plan.
Directs the development of governing policies, program planning and assessment, setting of priorities in response to new opportunities, and formulation of academic goals and objectives. Is actively involved in encouraging and developing new academic initiatives, in establishing new undergraduate and graduate programs, in assessing academic programs and units, and in analyzing and acting on data regarding academic programs.
Serves as the campus authority for academic personnel matters including faculty review processes, performance improvement, complaints and grievances, and negotiations.
Assists the Provost and President in the development and implementation of long-range plans, goals, and objectives related to academic excellence to improve the quality, direction and priorities of teaching, research, and administration in full compliance with accreditation standards and requirements. Designs and oversees programs to ensure all students are supported. Fosters a vibrant academic climate and supports scholarship and innovation, cultivating an environment in which effective, innovative and creative teaching and research may flourish.
Ensures that day-to-day operations, administration and management are executed efficiently, and allocates resources, as appropriate, in conformity with governing institutional priorities, applicable laws, contracts, rules and policies.
Reviews and authorizes the development of new academic programs, reviews and determines the continuing status of existing programs, determines priorities and takes actions to improve the quality of both the academic programs and instruction more generally.
Administers and implements UH Manoa, Board of Regents, and Executive policies and procedures; as appropriate, promulgates campus and provost directives and instructions. Makes recommendations to the Provost regarding campus-level policies and procedures based on campus experiences or needs. Develops and promulgates academic and academic personnel policies and guidance for all academic units.
Works with the Vice Provost for Research and Scholarship to ensure that the undergraduate, graduate and research programs of the academic units are provided with the best possible academic support; with the Provost and the Chief Business Officer to ensure the responsible allocation and expenditure of financial resources to support the academic programs, faculty, and academic support offices; with the Vice Provost for Student Success to ensure optimal academic support for students; with the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management in the formulation of retention strategies and enrollment plans and goals; and with appropriate System and campus offices to ensure that personnel actions taken are reasonable and compliant with existing policies, that academic programs have access to necessary information technology, and that physical facilities are suitable for instructional needs.
Collaborates with the Assistant Provost for Global Engagement to support international student programs and services. Collaborates with the Dean of Outreach College to develop strategies for distance and online learning and other innovative learning opportunities.
Works with governance bodies and advisory groups, including the Manoa Faculty Senate Executive Committees related to academic excellence areas, representatives of student and staff groups, Kuali'i Council, and other constituencies to ensure effective and transparent systems of shared governance. Works with the University of Hawai'i Professional Assembly (UHPA) to ensure compliance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the fair resolution of grievances related to the CBA.
Develops and oversees agreements, partnerships, and exchanges with other educational institutions and organizations, within the UH System and nationally and collaborates with the Assistant Provost for Global Engagement on international agreements.
Develops and maintains effective relations with the deans and directors, vice presidents, other campus counterparts and leadership, community, legislature, and other internal and external organizations.
Serves as the Provost's representative to the Council of Chief Academic Officers (CCAO) for the UH System, and in that capacity works on cross-campus initiatives, academic program articulation and the development and/or modification of system-wide academic policies.
Represents, promotes, and advances UH Manoa in working with state, national, and international organizations and represents and promotes campus academic excellence interests to stakeholders, serving as the official representative of the Provost as appropriate
Performs other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Earned doctorate or equivalent terminal degree from an accredited institution; or equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities.
Academic rank of full professor or a demonstrated record of comparable professional experience prior to appointment.
Five (5) years of professional experience in higher education administration with responsibility for faculty personnel, academic program development and assessment, and financial administration, or a demonstrated record of comparable professional experience.
Experience at the dean's level or comparable that involved designing and implementing successful programs and initiatives, or a demonstrated record of comparable professional experience.
Demonstrated record of successful leadership in teaching, scholarship, service, and community engagement.
Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to shared governance and collaborative leadership.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrators, faculty, staff, students, legislators, state and federal officials, union representatives, and the general public.
Experience in interpreting policies and formulating appropriate actions in a higher education or equivalent professional setting.
Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external constituencies orally and in writing in a professional manner, with tact and diplomacy.
Ability to understand and work effectively with global communities in higher education or in an equivalent professional setting.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Administrative experience at a university with undergraduate and graduate/professional programs.
Administrative experience at a university belonging to a state university system, which included planning, developing, and articulating programs in such a system as well as coordinating programs with local K-12 education institutions.
Demonstrated successful leadership experience in a unionized environment.
Demonstrated experience with successful academic and/or administrative innovation.
Demonstrated ability and record of success to bring campus groups together around new ideas and/or initiatives.
Demonstrated track record of working effectively with faculty, students, governing boards, advisory groups, legislative bodies, local government officials, and community and business leaders.
Demonstrated track record of supporting and implementing initiatives that engage students, faculty, and staff in meaningful participation in decision making processes.
Ability to facilitate and strengthen academic communities in higher education or in an equivalent professional setting, aligned with the institution's strategic goals.
To Apply: A NEOGOV account must be established, and then candidates may attach the following to the online application:
(1) A cover letter summarizing your interest and how qualifications are met for the position (no more than 3 pages), (2) A current curriculum vitae, and
(3) Names and contact information of three (3) professional references.
(Note: Original official transcripts are required at time of hire. References will not be contacted without prior notice to the candidate. A background check will be made prior to employment.
Nominations & Inquiries please contact Linda Voong, Executive Search Coordinator at .
EEO, Clery Act, ADA
The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/
Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.
Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/