Academic Vice President at Sauk Valley Community College (IL) – Dixon, Illinois

Sauk Valley Community College (SVCC), a comprehensive institution nestled in a picturesque rural setting, invites applications for the position of Academic Vice President. Serving as the Chief Academic Officer, overseeing Academic Services, including the Dean of Health Professions, the Dean of Business, Career & Technical Education, and the Dean of Transfer Programs and Academic Support Services.

Located in rural northwestern Illinois along the scenic Rock River, SVCC is situated between the cities of Dixon and Sterling, placing it just one hour from Rockford and the Quad Cities, and two hours west of Chicago.

The College provides a robust benefits package, including comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), life insurance, tuition reimbursement, tuition waivers, and participation in the State Universities Retirement System (SURS). For complete details, please visit our benefits page at https://www.svcc.edu/employees/opportunities/benefits.html.
Key Responsibilities and Leadership Focus

The Vice President reports directly to the President and serves as a vital member of the President’s Cabinet. This position is responsible for the overall strategic direction, planning, and operational oversight of the College’s academic programs.

Academic Strategy and Planning

• Leadership & Vision: Provide leadership in the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of all academic divisions, ensuring consistency with the college's mission, vision, values, and strategic goals.

• Curriculum Management: Maintain overall responsibility for program and curriculum development, preparation, and evaluation of the schedule of classes.

• Goal Alignment: Work with faculty and staff to develop and assess annual academic goals and objectives aligned with the college strategic plan.

• Budget Oversight: Prepare the annual budget for all academic divisions and ensure the final budget is properly administered.

• Perkins Coordination: Coordinate and plan the Perkins budget and its associated grant initiatives with the academic deans.

Faculty and Staff Development

• Talent Management: Participate in the recruitment and retention of full-time and part-time faculty, as well as academic support staff.

• Professional Development: Coordinate the development of annual goals, promote the professional growth of faculty and staff, and facilitate the evaluation processes (including the faculty promotion and tenure process).

Institutional Effectiveness and Compliance

• Assessment: Support accountability and institutional effectiveness by developing, implementing, and assessing procedures that support college operations and foster student success.

• Accreditation: Ensure that all accreditation standards pertaining to academic services are in full compliance.

• Institutional Service: Serve as a member of the President’s Cabinet and the Institutional Effectiveness Committee and associated Assessment groups.

• Rotational Duties: Serve as the night administrator on a rotating basis. (A 3% stipend applies to this tort-related duty).

External Relations and Service

• Communication: Maintain effective communication with all internal divisions of the college, as well as external partners: ICCB (Illinois Community College Board), 4-year institutions, K-12 districts, industry members, and the community at large.

• College Leadership: Participate with the President and other college leadership in planning and assessing overall college operations and key initiatives.

• Professional Engagement: Participate in professional organizations and ongoing professional development activities.

• General Duties: Assume all other reasonable professional duties and responsibilities as assigned by the President.

Requirements and Qualifications

We are seeking a highly qualified and experienced leader dedicated to the mission of the comprehensive community college.

Education & Experience

• Education: A Master's degree is required; a Doctorate (Ph.D./Ed.D.) is preferred.

• Mission Support: Must show clear evidence of support for the mission of a comprehensive community college.

• Industry Preference: Business or industrial experience is preferred.

• Technology: Must be computer literate.

Skills and Institutional Vitality

The candidate must possess the following skills to contribute to instructional vitality and growth:

• Teamwork: A strong appreciation for and ability to contribute to teamwork.

• Communication: Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Instructional Expertise: Knowledge and/or experience with:

  • Alternative teaching/learning options.

  • Curriculum design.

  • Program evaluation.

Essential Functions and Interpersonal Profile

This administrative role is critical to the effective operation of the College's core functions. The successful candidate must uphold and support the mission of Sauk Valley Community College in all professional endeavors.

Core Requirements

• Mission Alignment: Must thoroughly understand and actively support the mission, vision, and values of the community college.

• Communication Mastery: Possess strong communication skills (both written and oral), interpersonal skills, and robust analytical skills.

• Teamwork: Ability to work effectively within a team environment on campus on a daily basis.

• Technology Fluency: Proficiency in daily communication via phone and email, and competency working with Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Flexibility: Must be able to work evenings and weekends as required to fulfill departmental and college needs.

Personal Interaction & External Relations

This position requires extensive interaction across all levels of the institution and the community.

• Internal Collaboration: Maintain regular contact with departments, divisions, appropriate personnel, and deans to ensure that programs in both the Academics and Student Services divisions function effectively and seamlessly.

• External Engagement: Frequent interaction and personal contact with community leaders, the general public, outside organizations, and state governing boards pertaining to the Academics and Student Services division.

Supervision Exercised

The administrator exercises administrative and functional supervision over personnel within the Academics division.

Tort Liability and Risk Management

This position coordinates the College Risk Management Program in an appropriate capacity, ensuring the health, safety, and legal compliance of the campus community.

• Program Coordination: Coordinates the College Risk Management Program.

• Monitoring & Reporting: Responsibilities include monitoring conditions, events, and circumstances in daily operations and communicating observations to the appropriate supervisor or taking necessary corrective action.

• Committee Service: May serve as a member of committees supporting health, safety, and legal rights, such as the AA/EEO, Sexual Harassment, and Safety/Loss Control committees. (This position falls under Risk Management Categories I, III, IV.)