Job Description

Department: Academic Affairs

Reports To: President / Chief Executive Officer

Employment Type: Full-Time, Executive

The Chief Academic Officer (CAO) provides strategic leadership for all academic programs, faculty development, and institutional learning outcomes. The CAO ensures academic excellence, accreditation compliance, and the continuous improvement of curriculum across all departments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of academic programs and curriculum.
• Set and uphold academic standards, policies, and institutional learning goals.
• Oversee faculty recruitment, onboarding, performance evaluation, and professional development.
• Manage academic budgets and allocate resources across departments.
• Drive accreditation processes and ensure ongoing regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with department heads to align academic strategy with institutional mission.
• Monitor student academic outcomes and implement data-driven improvement initiatives.
• Represent the institution in external academic partnerships and communities.

Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) in Education or a relevant academic discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in academic leadership (Dean or above preferred).
• Demonstrated experience managing faculty and academic departments.
• Strong knowledge of accreditation standards and higher education regulations.
• Proven track record in curriculum design and academic program development.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and strategic planning skills.

Key Competencies:

• Visionary academic leadership and institutional thinking
• Data-informed decision-making and analytical ability
• Faculty engagement and talent development
• Change management and innovation in education
• Collaborative stakeholder communication