Job description

Benefits of Working at UNCW:
Ready to soar as a UNCW Seahawk and join one of the premier universities on the East Coast? At the University of North Carolina Wilmington, youll find a vibrant campus community paired with an exceptional coastal location.As a UNCW employee, youll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and work-life balance. Our programs offer flexibility and choice to meet the needs of you and your family, including:Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance – Coverage begins the first of the month following your hire date.Retirement Plans – Employer contributions available for both defined contribution and defined benefit options.Optional Disability Plans – Additional protection for peace of mind.Eligible employees also benefit from our Tuition Waiver Program, covering up to three undergraduate or graduate courses per academic year at UNCW or any UNC System school, plus one UNCW summer course at no cost.Additional perks include:Free Campus Recreation Center MembershipMeditation and yoga sessionsFlexible spending accounts12 paid holidays, vacation and sick leave accrual24 hours of paid community service leaveLinkedIn LearningEmployee Assistance Program (24/7)Join us at UNCW and experience a workplace that values your success, your well-being, and your future. Come make waves with us!

Recruitment Range: Determined based on qualifications and/or experience
Vacancy Number: E1461
Competency Level:
Location of Workplace: Main UNCW Campus
Home Department: Academic Affairs – 30000
Division: Academic Affairs – 30 Division

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:
Academic Affairs is the central division responsible for realizing the academic mission of the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW). Through strong leadership, strategic vision, and commitment to excellence, the division advances teaching, research, scholarship, creative activity, and community engagement across the university.

Academic Affairs includes five academic colleges:

• Cameron School of Business
• College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts
• College of Science and Engineering
• College of Health and Human Services
• Watson College of Education

and eight functional areas:

• Center for Marine Science
• Global Partnerships and International Education
• Graduate, Continuing, and Lifelong Education
• Institutional Research and Planning
• Research and Innovation
• Student Engagement, Enrollment, and Retention
• Teaching, Learning, and Library Services
• Undergraduate Education and Faculty Affairs

Together, these units foster interdisciplinary collaboration, advance knowledge creation and dissemination, and strengthen student learning and success. Academic Affairs serves as a catalyst for innovation, empowering faculty, staff, and students to pursue excellence and contribute meaningfully to both local and global communities.

College:

College/School Information:

University Information:
Widely celebrated as the state’s coastal university, the University of North Carolina Wilmington was established in 1947 as Wilmington College and joined the University of North Carolina System in 1969. Today, the university is a top national institution with nearly 19,900 students, more than 2,500 faculty and staff, 171 buildings and an ever-growing alumni network of more than 111,000.
UNCW has built a national and global profile while strengthening ties to the state, region, and local community. As one of 17 institutions in the UNC System, UNCW is a nationally recognized large public doctoral university with a private feel. The university offers numerous bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs across its colleges and schools. Its main academic units are: Cameron School of Business, College of Health and Human Services, College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts, College of Science and Engineering, and Watson College of Education. Each college is united with a focus on applied learning, with emphasis on internships, research, study abroad, community-based projects, and other high-impact experiences that grow critical thinking and hands-on skills.
UNCW is consistently recognized for excellence in academics and affordability and earned the elevated designation of “Doctoral University: High Research Activity” in recognition of efforts to advance research and scholarly activities. UNCW’s beautiful location on the Atlantic Ocean supports outstanding programs in coastal and marine sciences, including the new coastal engineering major – the only undergraduate program of its type in the U.S.

Location of Workplace: Main UNCW Campus

Brief Summary of Work for this Position:
The University of North Carolina Wilmington (“UNCW”) seeks an outstanding, visionary, collaborative, and experienced leader to serve as its next provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs (“provost”). Reporting to the chancellor, the provost is the university’s chief academic officer, responsible for the strategic direction, administration, and oversight of all academic programs and initiatives. The next leader will build upon UNCW’s strong academic foundation and reputation for excellence. While ensuring excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship, the provost will be a champion for academic integrity, an advocate for student, faculty, and staff success, and a trusted colleague who leads with transparency and purpose. The provost will support UNCW’s mission through innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and operational excellence, while promoting a student-centered learning environment that integrates academic rigor with personal growth and wellbeing. Together with faculty, staff, and community partners, the provost will shape strategies that strengthen retention and graduation outcomes, expand research and creative activity, and position UNCW as a high-impact institution committed to regional impact and global engagement.

About the Role
The provost is the chief academic officer and spokesperson for UNCW’s academic mission, ensuring the quality, integrity, and innovation of all academic programs and initiatives. This senior leader is responsible for policy development, long-range planning, budgeting, personnel, and strategic oversight of the Division for Academic Affairs.In alignment with the university’s strategic plan, the provost will:

• implement the academic mission of the university
• provide a stellar environment for faculty and staff that encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, excellence in teaching, distinguished scholarship, innovative research and impactful community engagement
• increase access and affordability for students
• develop career-ready students upon graduation
• increase high-impact, experiential learning opportunities for students
• encourage students to: think critically; develop problem solving and communication skills; foster an appreciation for all forms of scholarship; value lifelong learning
• promote student success
• position UNCW as a national leader in interdisciplinary teaching and learning
• expand and elevate high demand academic programs and offerings
• engage with the needs of our local community, region and state
• expand regionally relevant and globally important research that addresses complex problems through interdisciplinary collaboration
• expand global collaborations and partnerships to connect Wilmington and the world
• lead effective academic policies, practices and programs
• steward resources effectively and efficiently
• modernize data and technology to advance data-informed decision-making

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Terminal degree and credentials to qualify for tenure at the rank of full professor.
• Record of distinguished teaching, research, and service in a university setting.
• Minimum of ten years of progressive leadership in academic administration.
• Demonstrated commitment to academic excellence, shared governance, and transparency.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

• Proven record of collaborative leadership and sound, data-informed decision-making.
• Dedication to advancing student success and inclusive pedagogical practices.
• Strong understanding of the relationships among enrollment management, tuition strategy, and program costs.
• Experience leading institutional planning, assessment, and accreditation processes.
• Fiscal acumen with the ability to align budgets and resources with strategic objectives.
• Outstanding communication and relationship-building skills across many audiences.
• Experience as an academic dean or senior-level university officer.
• Record of successful external engagement, philanthropy, and community partnership.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through change, with political and diplomatic skill appropriate to a public institution.
• Visionary leadership that anticipates emerging challenges and opportunities in higher education.

Required Certifications or Licensures:

FTE: 1.0 FTE (40 hours per week)
Months Per Year: 12 Months
Type of Position: Permanent
Anticipated Ending Date if Time-Limited:
Position Number: 1301

Number of Openings: Single Incumbent

Eligibility for Employment:
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

To apply, visit https://jobs.uncw.edu/postings/38114

UNCW does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents – except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs.

How to apply

UNC Wilmington has retained the UNC System Office executive search team to support this recruitment. Confidential inquiries and nominations should be directed to Scott Murray, director of executive search and leadership programs at [email protected].

• To apply, please visit https://bit.ly/UNCW_Provost to submit a cover letter and CV/resume.

This position remains open until filled. Confidential review of candidates will begin immediately, with search committee evaluations and interviews taking place during the Spring 2026 semester. This is a full-time onsite position in Wilmington, NC.