About this role
Location, Job Title, Benefits
Rocky Vista University in Englewood, CO has an opening for a
Executive Vice President & Chief Academic Officer(Full-Time)
Deadline: Applications accepted through Sunday, 11/8/2026
To be considered for this position applicants should submit a resume/cover letter and salary requirements.
SALARY:
$366,000 to $400,000 DOE.The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to faculty rank, skill, knowledge, experience, education, and credentials.
BENEFITS:
RVU offers a full benefits package that includes Health, Dental and Vision insurance, along with 2 weeks (minimum) accrued paid vacation days per year, 12 accrued sick days per year, personal days, 13 ½ paid holidays and 401(K) match up to 7% based on employee’s contribution. A hybrid work model with remote flexibility is also available for eligible positions.
Commitment to Inclusive Excellence: We are Rocky Vista University (RVU), a diverse, equitable, and inclusive healthcare education university that recognizes, values, and respects the commonalities and differences reflected in our students, staff, faculty, and alumni. We strive to be compassionate healthcare educators and practitioners who embrace inclusive excellence.
RVU is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
Primary Purpose
Rocky Vista University (RVU) is a dynamic and rapidly growing health sciences university, recognized for its commitment to excellence, innovation, and preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals. Home to the nation's fourth-largest osteopathic medical school, an expanding portfolio of graduate health sciences programs, and an exciting new College of Veterinary Medicine, RVU is at the forefront of advancing healthcare education and addressing the evolving needs of the communities we serve. As the University continues its remarkable trajectory of growth and innovation, the Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer (EVP & CAO) will play a pivotal role in shaping its academic future, inspiring educational excellence, and strengthening RVU's position as a national leader in health sciences education.
Reporting directly to the President, the EVP & CAO serves as the University's senior academic executive, providing strategic leadership and oversight of academic programs, institutional effectiveness, clinical education, and academic accreditation across all RVU campuses. The position works collaboratively with academic deans, faculty, and executive leadership to advance academic quality, student success, innovation, and the University's strategic priorities. This position requires approximately 25% travel to Rocky Vista University’s campus locations to strengthen cross-campus collaboration, build a positive and unified institutional culture, and foster alignment across all locations.
Essential Job Functions
- Dean, Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM)
- Serve as Dean of RVUCOM, providing comprehensive leadership and oversight of academic programs and operations across the Colorado and Utah campuses.
- Ensure academic excellence, operational effectiveness, and consistent educational standards across both campuses while supporting their unique needs.
- Provide leadership for faculty, academic administration, curriculum, clinical education, and student success within RVUCOM.
- Oversee RVUCOM's accreditation compliance, strategic planning, resource management, and continued growth in collaboration with campus associate deans and academic leadership.
- Academic Leadership and Strategic Vision
- Provide strategic leadership for the University's academic enterprise, advancing excellence, innovation, and student-centered education.
- Serve as the President's principal advisor on academic priorities, educational growth, and institutional academic strategy.
- Foster a collaborative, accountable academic culture aligned with RVU's mission and strategic plan.
- Provide executive oversight and support to academic deans, associate deans, and designated academic leaders across all campuses.
- Accreditation and Institutional Effectiveness
- Provide executive leadership for institutional and programmatic accreditation, academic assessment, and continuous improvement.
- Collaborate with academic deans and the Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness to ensure educational quality and accreditation readiness.
- Establish and monitor academic goals, student outcomes, and key performance indicators to strengthen institutional effectiveness.
- Clinical Education and Residency Development
- Provide strategic oversight of RVU Clinics, clinical education, and residency initiatives.
- Advance clinical partnerships, graduate medical education opportunities, and innovative training experiences.
- Strengthen the integration of academic and clinical education to support student preparation and healthcare workforce needs.
- Faculty Excellence and Student Success
- Promote excellence in teaching, scholarship, faculty development, and academic leadership.
- Foster a supportive academic environment that values collaboration, professionalism, and belonging.
- Partner with academic and student support leaders to advance student achievement, retention, graduation, and professional readiness.
- Executive Leadership and Institutional Collaboration
- Serve on the President's executive leadership team, contributing to institutional strategy, policy, and organizational decisions.
- Collaborate with the Executive Vice President for University Affairs to align academic priorities with institutional operations and resources.
- Support strategic resource allocation, financial stewardship, and sustainable academic growth.
- Represent RVU in academic, professional, accreditation, and community settings, and provide updates to the President and Board of Trustees as appropriate.
- Perform additional executive responsibilities as assigned by the President.
The Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer will provide strategic leadership and oversight of Rocky Vista University’s academic enterprise across all three campuses, advancing academic excellence, accreditation, institutional effectiveness, and student success. The following areas will report directly to this position:
● Dean, Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM) – Colorado and Utah Campuses
● Dean, Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine (MCOM)
● Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM)
● Assistant/Associate Dean, RVUCOM Colorado
● Assistant/Associate Dean, RVUCOM Utah
● RVU Clinics and Residency
● Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness
Leadership Expectations
The EVP & CAO will demonstrate exceptional executive leadership, sound judgment, integrity, and a commitment to advancing RVU's mission. The position requires a collaborative, forward-thinking leader who can build high-performing academic teams, navigate the complexities of health sciences education, and inspire a shared vision for academic excellence.
Success will be measured through academic quality and accreditation outcomes, student achievement, effective academic leadership, program growth, clinical partnerships, and meaningful progress toward the University's strategic goals.
Above all, the EVP & CAO will help shape the future of Rocky Vista University by advancing an academic environment where faculty thrive, students succeed, and the University continues to distinguish itself as a leader in health sciences education.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Demonstrated knowledge of health sciences and higher education administration, including osteopathic medical education, accreditation standards, curriculum oversight, clinical education, and student success initiatives.
- Exceptional strategic leadership and organizational management skills, with the ability to develop and execute long-term academic plans that align with institutional mission, growth objectives, and educational excellence goals.
- Comprehensive understanding of institutional and programmatic accreditation processes, assessment methodologies, continuous quality improvement practices, and regulatory compliance requirements in higher education.
- Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing academic leadership teams, including deans, associate deans, faculty, and administrators across multiple campuses and academic units.
- Strong financial and operational management skills, including resource allocation, budget oversight, strategic planning, and stewardship of academic and clinical education programs.
- Ability to build and maintain collaborative partnerships with healthcare systems, clinical training sites, residency programs, accreditation agencies, governing boards, and community stakeholders.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building abilities, with the capacity to influence, inspire, and engage diverse internal and external constituents while fostering a culture of accountability, professionalism, and inclusion.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze complex institutional challenges, exercise sound judgment, and make data-informed decisions that advance academic quality, student outcomes, faculty success, and organizational effectiveness.
Minimum Qualifications
- Earned terminal degree (DO, MD, DVM, PhD, EdD, or equivalent) from an accredited institution.
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive academic leadership experience in higher education, including service as a Dean, Provost, Vice President, or equivalent senior academic leadership role.
- Demonstrated experience with institutional and/or programmatic accreditation, academic assessment, and regulatory compliance.
- Proven success leading faculty, academic programs, and student success initiatives within a complex academic environment.
- Experience in strategic planning, budget oversight, and organizational leadership.
Preferred Qualifications
- Executive leadership experience within a medical, osteopathic, veterinary, health sciences, or professional education institution.
- Experience overseeing multi-campus academic operations and complex organizational structures.
- Demonstrated success in accreditation leadership, program growth, and academic innovation.
- Experience developing clinical partnerships, residency programs, or graduate medical education initiatives.
- Record of scholarship, teaching, and service that supports academic credibility and leadership effectiveness.
Final applicant will be required to pass background check and drug screening.
Qualified applicants will be contacted. There may be an additional video interview for you to complete. Please watch your email including spam and promotions folder.
Rocky Vista University is in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and does not discriminate with regard to applicants or employees with disabilities, and will make reasonable accommodation when necessary. The following are essential abilities and physical requirements for all positions at the University.
- Ability to orally communicate effectively with others;
- Ability to communicate effectively in writing, using the English language;
- Ability to work cooperatively with colleagues and supervisory staffs at all levels;
- May be exposed to short, intermittent, and/or prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing in performance of job duties;
- May be required to accomplish job duties using various types of equipment/supplies to include, but not limited to, pens, pencils, calculators, computer keyboards, telephone, etc.;
- May be required to transport oneself to other campus offices, conference rooms, and on occasion, to off-campus sites to attend meetings, conferences, workshops, seminars, etc.