Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist Briar Cliff University in its search for a Provost/VPAA. 

For full consideration, please apply by September 4, 2025.

This is a rare opportunity to join a mission-driven institution at a pivotal moment, one defined by fresh leadership, renewed momentum, and a shared commitment to bold academic transformation. With strong philanthropic support, deep community engagement, and an unwavering focus on student success, Briar Cliff University (Briar Cliff) is charting an ambitious, future-focused path. Alongside a dynamic new president, the next Provost/VPAA will have the opportunity to build boldly, innovate with confidence, and help shape the University’s next century of impact.

With its centennial on the horizon in 2030, Briar Cliff is embracing transformation with courage, purpose, and clarity. Strategic initiatives are already underway to realign academic programs, elevate online and graduate offerings, strengthen student success across both academic and student affairs, and improve instructional efficiency. Faculty are energized and ready to reimagine the curriculum, expand interdisciplinary learning, and integrate emerging technologies like AI to prepare students for a rapidly changing workforce.

The Provost/VPAA will join a campus community eager for strong, forward-thinking leadership, and someone who can harness this momentum to drive institutional improvement and secure a sustainable future. Rooted in its Catholic Franciscan tradition, Briar Cliff is known for its inclusive, values-based education and tight-knit learning environment (student-to-faculty ratio: 10 to 1). Recent fundraising success through the Foundations for the Future campaign, community investment, and broad support from alumni, trustees, and the Sisters of St. Francis of Dubuque reflect confidence in the University’s future. This position will play a central role in designing a responsive, innovative, and fiscally sustainable model that reflects both the market realities of a rapidly evolving workforce and Briar Cliff’s mission.

The ideal candidate brings a strong design-thinking mindset and experience leading academic transformation, a deep understanding of student affairs, and the capacity to engage faculty with both respect and resolve. They will need the judgment to navigate institutional culture, the conviction to make difficult decisions, and the strategic clarity to drive lasting change. This is a rare opportunity to help shape a mission-driven university’s future alongside a collaborative leadership team that values entrepreneurial spirit and collaborative problem-solving, and a community deeply committed to student success and institutional renewal. 

This position serves as the chief academic officer and provides strategic leadership for both Academic Affairs and Student Affairs at Briar Cliff University. Reporting directly to the President and serving as a member of the President’s Cabinet, the Provost/VPAA is responsible for advancing the academic mission of the University, ensuring academic excellence, and fostering a vibrant, student-centered learning environment grounded in Catholic and Franciscan values. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Provide vision and direction for all academic programs and initiatives, ensuring alignment with the University’s mission, values, and strategic priorities 
• Supervise and evaluate department chairs and directors, the registrar, the librarian, campus ministry, and the associate provost for student success and life 
• Oversee curriculum development, academic policy, and program review, including final approval of curriculum and policy proposals from the faculty 
• Act as the hiring manager for all full-time faculty searches appointments 
• Review and approve requests for overload, release time, etc.
• Handle all faculty contract renewals and dismissals 
• Evaluate tenure and promotion cases, presenting recommendations to the President and to the Board of Trustees 
• Support and enhance the faculty’s shared governance structure, maintaining productive and transparent relationships with the faculty leadership 
• Lead efforts to improve instructional efficiency, including academic restructuring, curriculum reengineering, and fostering interdisciplinarity 
• Evaluate the financial viability of all academic programs 
• Guide the development and implementation of new academic programs and the continuous improvement of existing programs, with a focus on enrollment growth and student success 
• Ensure robust outcomes assessment and continuous improvement across all academic programs, including online offerings 
• Support and enhance programs such as the first-year experience and Compass, Briar Cliff’s holistic student support initiative 
• Foster intentional career development opportunities for students, including internships and experiential learning 
• Participate as needed in grade appeals and cases of academic probation and suspension 
• Serve as the University’s Regional Accreditation Liaison Officer, ensuring compliance and successful accreditation processes 
• Collaborate closely with the President’s Cabinet, including the CFO, VP for Marketing and Enrollment Management, VP for Advancement, and Executive Director Athletics, to advance institutional goals 
• Engage with faculty, staff, students, trustees, and external partners to promote a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement 
• Plans and manages all budgets in academic and student affairs 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Earned doctorate and a record of academic achievement meriting tenure
• Minimum of three years of progressive academic administrative experience at the dean level or higher at a four-year college or university 
• Demonstrated experience with faculty governance, curriculum development, and academic program assessment 
• Strong commitment to servant leadership, shared governance, and transparent, collaborative decision-making 
• Ability to lead change and innovation in a rapidly evolving academic environment 
• Commitment to supporting and advancing the University’s Catholic and Franciscan values 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Experience with academic restructuring, interdisciplinary program development, and instructional efficiency initiatives 
• Ability to build trust and collaborative momentum with faculty while navigating change in a resource-limited environment
• Proven experience leading academic innovation in resource-constrained environments, including strategic prioritization, resource reallocation and data-informed decision-making
• Success in developing and implementing strategies for enrollment growth and student retention including developing new or expanding existing programs
• Experience with online program oversight and quality assurance 
• Demonstrated ability to foster a culture of assessment and continuous improvement 
• Experience working in a mission-driven, values-based institutional setting

About the Institution

Briar Cliff University, founded in 1930, is a welcoming academic community overlooking the Missouri River in Sioux City, Iowa. What began on a hill once covered in briar patches has grown into a vibrant campus that now serves nearly 1,000 students. Rooted in the Franciscan values of service, compassion, and inclusivity, Briar Cliff fosters both academic excellence and personal growth, offering a transformative experience for students and professionals alike. The stunning cliffside location not only provides stunning views but also symbolizes the University's mission of guiding students to new heights—intellectually, spiritually, and personally.

The University offers more than 30 undergraduate degree programs, a range of graduate degrees, and several online completion pathways to meet students where they are in their educational journey. From health sciences and business to education, social work, and the liberal arts, Briar Cliff delivers a mission-driven education that shapes not just résumés but character. Faculty and staff work closely with students to cultivate curiosity, leadership, and a lifelong commitment to service and learning.

Briar Cliff’s scenic, close-knit campus provides the ideal environment for meaningful work and connection. Employees enjoy a collaborative culture that prioritizes student success, academic freedom, and community impact. With small class sizes and a student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1, every member of the Briar Cliff team plays a vital role in shaping the next generation of changemakers. 
 
Living in the Area

Sioux City, Iowa is a dynamic regional hub of approximately 86,000 residents, nestled in the northwest corner of the state at the confluence of Iowa, South Dakota, and Nebraska. The city blends Midwestern friendliness with charming urban amenities, offering a welcoming atmosphere for professionals and families alike.

The city boasts 58 well-maintained parks, including scenic riverfront spaces and a preserved natural area in the Loess Hills ideal for hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing. Golfers can enjoy several local courses, while year-round events fill the calendar at venues like the downtown Orpheum Theatre, Tyson Events Center, and Anderson Dance Pavilion—hosting everything from Broadway productions and concerts to annual favorites like River-Cade and ArtSplash.

Among Sioux City's standout qualities are its affordability, strong sense of community, and low crime rate. Housing costs run about 24% below the national average and outperform most comparable urban areas. Residents frequently cite the friendly, small-town atmosphere, engaged neighborhoods, and abundance of family-oriented events as key reasons to call Sioux City home.

To Apply 

For full consideration, please apply by September 4, 2025.

Please apply through the application link and do not email applications. 

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially.

Inquiries and questions: Please send to BriarCliffProvost@acesrch.com
Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominee’s name, title, and contact information if available to nominations@acesrch.com