Assistant Vice Provost & Executive Director, Center for Leadership Studies

Attention Candidates: Priority will be given to applications received by November 1st, 2026.

Carnegie Mellon University is a private, global research university that stands among the world’s most renowned education institutions. With path-breaking sciences and engineering, performing and fine arts, humanities and social sciences, business, public policy, information systems, inter-disciplinary distinction, big ambitions, deep research and hands-on learning, CMU doesn’t imagine the future, we invent it. If you’re passionate about a community that challenges the curious of exceptional and diverse talents to deliver on work that matters for a better world, this opportunity may be ideal for you.

Our Center for Leadership Studies is seeking an Assistant Vice Provost & Executive Director.  A meaningful, impactful and inspiring opportunity for those committed to honing the skills necessary to amplify the talents of our students and alumni to achieve cascading influence in the lives of others, professionally and personally.

They will build on the foundation of the Center launched in 2000 to provide leadership development training to undergraduate students throughout the university. As well, in their capacity as an AVP, they will assist the Vice Provost for Education with other opportunities as may emerge, consistent with the broader horizontal influence of the Center with curricular and metacurricular partners and others within the VPE’s domain.

The AVP & Executive Director will continue to broaden and deepen the university’s long-standing commitment not just to intellectual, artistic and technical excellence, but to the broadest capacity for professional and personal impact, as both students and alumni, as has been our hallmark since our founding.

It is expected that the AVP & Executive Director will be highly collaborative, delivering on both direct service and on support and influence for myriad curricular and metacurricular activities throughout the university that do now and will increasingly develop the highest-order leaders of the future, consistent with the university’s expansive vision for meaningful impact throughout the world.

Core responsibilities include:

- Build upon and enhance or amend the strategic vision and mission of the Center or Leadership Studies, consistent with the overarching vision and mission of the university, based on collaborations with faculty, staff, students and alumni throughout.
- Hire (as needed) a highly-talented and deeply committed team, to include Executive Fellows, Program Coordinator, and Educational Program Assistants (student staff), while working to create a collaborative environment reflective of the core values of the Center and the university.
- Nurture the Center team and others engaged in leadership activities within the university, as needed, to further our capacity to deliver into the world highly skilled persons of influence, including active collective and inter-personal professional development and personal support.
- Develop engaging relationships with the students involved with the Center, including teaching on average one seminar per semester as a matter of personal preference and to stay current on the lived experience in and out of the classroom.
- Maintain active involvement within the national and international leadership development community by staying current with evolving research, engaging in study to refine seminar curricula, and contributing to best practices in the field.
- Support the vision and mission of the Vice Provost for Education in any manner of leadership or leadership-adjacent activities as may be desired, while partnering actively with faculty, academic, and non-academic staff.
- Nurture close relationships with relevant CMU and CLS alumni, both contributing to their continued professional (and personal) development, while securing an ongoing source of information, counsel, and support for the Center’s evolving mission.
- Continue to grow the financial and other resources necessary to achieve at the highest level, including the engagement with talented partners in idea generation, program development and delivery, active fundraising and smart financial planning.

Innovation, adaptability, proven excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon University. We are in search of a leader and collaborator who can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners with a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our aspirations and values and who will support the whole of the university through their work.

Ideal Qualifications:

- Master’s degree required.  Doctoral degree will be valued but not required.  Certification in relevant areas such as teaching, coaching, organizational behavior, communications, strategic planning or related domains will be advantageous.
- 15+ years' experience, ideally in or with significant exposure to the academy, including leadership authority, as amplified below.
- Strong experience in and a deep understanding of academia, including experience in developing, overseeing and delivering curricula and potentially metacurricular activities with clear learning outcomes and an engaged student experience is desired.
- Demonstrated leadership experience that is visionary, ethical, engaging, tactical, technical, and reflective, consistent with the core pillars of the Center for Leadership Studies.  Experience teaching and leading in a university setting and understanding how to imbue a leadership ethos into the curriculum, while partnering within metacurricular facets of a college or university in a highly collaborative and engaging manner.
- Priority given to extensive exposure to leadership and professional development through workplace programs, professional affiliations, or other non-degree activities resulting in deep understanding of organizational behavior, human development, and the skills necessary for effective leadership and organizational impact.
- Experience in leading complex teams, involvement in senior administrative position(s), and the proven capacity to conceptualize and implement successful organizational structure(s) and impact.
- Strong background in and capacity for building partnerships, as may be exemplified by alumni or external relations, fundraising, and commitment to and capacity for developing a shared vision with and support from key stakeholders.
- An understanding of the evolving professional and personal landscape, grounded in the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century, including rapid evolution of technology including artificial intelligence, and the correlative needs and expectations for leaders of distinction.
- A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.

Requirements:

- Successful pre-employment background check

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.

Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits , take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays , and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance.

Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access , and much more!

For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page .

At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.

Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!

Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Job Function
University Administration and Management
Position Type
Staff – Regular
Full Time/Part time
Full time
Pay Basis

More Information:

- Please visit “ Why Carnegie Mellon ” to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.
- Click here to view a listing of employee benefits
- Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran .
- Statement of Assurance