Job description
The Provost of Thomas Jefferson University serves as the Chief Academic Officer and is responsible for providing vision, innovation, and leadership in educational policy, instructional planning, program review, academic personnel actions, faculty development, and resource planning and allocation. The Provost oversees educational programs, faculty and student affairs, and execution of the research mission. The role ensures successful accreditation of the University and its programs and maintains compliance with University policies, including those related to research. The Provost plays a critical role in executing the University’s strategic vision and mission.
Responsibilities
The successful Provost candidate will:
· Provide visionary leadership in the development and oversight of high-quality academic programs, resources, and support services.
· Provide leadership in academic strategic planning and implementation to ensure college alignment with the University strategic plan and achievement of associated goals, milestones, and metrics.
· Ensure that Jefferson’s distinctive approaches to teaching and learning (Nexus Learning, JCIPE, etc.) are continually enhanced for the benefit of students.
· Provide leadership to strengthen articulation and collaborative activities with other educational institutions, as well as public agencies, businesses, and industries in furtherance of the University’s mission and strategic plan.
· Provide leadership in financial planning to support the University’s aspirations in innovation program growth, research, faculty development, and scholarship and student services.
· Represent the academic interests in the institutional budget process, collaborating with senior leadership to set and ensure the attainment of enrollment goals and define resource allocations for academic programs, student and faculty affairs as well as other support services.
· Provide effective budgetary management for the office of the provost and oversight of college budgets.
· Lead and be responsible for fostering and supporting innovation and continuous improvement by focusing on institutional performance research data, collaboration with faculty and staff, and creating/sustaining recognition and incentives, which support and enhance student success.
· Secure and maintain regional and specialty program accreditation.
· Ensure that student affairs and support services (including those that provide academic advising, career counseling, student health and wellness, and student governance) provide appropriate support to and enrich the student experience.
· Oversee the process of faculty appointments, evaluations, reappointments, non-reappointments, promotions, tenure, and sabbatical leaves.
· Support new faculty orientation and faculty development for the University, in collaboration with other academic leaders.
· Develop, maintain, and enhance Thomas Jefferson University’s relationship with academic, clinical, and industry partners.
· Encourage and reward faculty excellence in teaching, research/scholarship, and service, including coordinating the process for faculty awards and recognitions.
· Consult regularly with the faculty on matters of shared governance (curriculum and instruction; research and scholarly standards; admission and student progression/graduation standards; appointment, promotion, and peer review; space and resource needs; strategic planning; institutional effectiveness).
· Provide leadership that supports and encourages faculty research, including internal seed grants, securing extramural support for research and program initiatives, and tracking of research productivity over time.
· Report regularly to the faculty on academic and student affairs. Represent the University and President on various Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson Health, and external committees, as needed.
· Represent academic affairs and the University at student, alumni, advancement, and other important activities and events.
· Represent the University at community activities by actively participating in community organizations that support and strengthen the university’s programs and activities.
· Foster an environment of collegiality and collaboration among academic programs and between academic affairs, faculty, staff, and administration. Demonstrate a strong commitment to and support for interprofessional initiatives and shared governance.
· Support the effective functioning of formal governance structures of the University, including Jefferson Academic Affairs Committee of the TJU Board of Trustees and governance committees of the University.
Goals and Objectives
The following goals and objectives have been identified as priorities for this position for the next 18- 24 months and are not listed in priority order:
· In connection with the President, the Provost will implement Thomas Jefferson University’s Strategic Plan, which is its blueprint for the university’s growth and advancement in its third century. The Strategic Plan focuses on strengthening the University’s comprehensive profile, expanding the research enterprise, and extending its global reach and approach to education.
· A clear vision for achieving excellence in undergraduate, graduate, and professional academic programs in a research university and the leadership skills to implement that vision; including a strong commitment to general education and continuous academic planning and program development, as well as academic program evaluation.
· In concert with the President, the Provost will be expected to develop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan for research planning that supports the elevation to R1 Carnegie status and aligns with the university’s overall strategic plan. Specific initiatives within this plan related to research will involve diversifying the research portfolio; envisioning faculty incentives; and supporting research, discovery, and innovation, both within the university and with external partners. The Provost will execute plans related to increasing sponsored research (including federal, state, foundation, and private industry), research development, technology transfer, and intellectual property activities.
· Drive the creation of a vision and common culture that aligns with Thomas Jefferson University’s Strategic Plan, which preserves and leverages the various colleges, while also advancing “systemness” and cohesion between the multiple campuses further integrating the East Falls and City Center campuses and ensuring one University. Identify opportunities to foster a unified culture and build cohesion around programs, academic processes, systems, and campuses.
· The Provost will assume accountability for ensuring the University reflects the diversity of the student body and provides a welcoming and affirming environment for all. Will advance Thomas Jefferson University’s commitment to strengthen diversity, equity, and inclusivity in its faculty, staff, and student body.
· The Provost will develop, implement, and enhance the University’s assessment activities to ensure the identification of expected outcomes in its educational programs, assess the extent to which outcomes are achieved, and provide evidence of improvement based on analyses of the results of that assessment.
· The Provost will provide ongoing leadership of and have oversight of efforts to evaluate institutional effectiveness in academic and student affairs and enrollment management, including the use of evaluation results for planning, resource allocation, and ongoing improvement.
· The Provost will lead the continued and effective execution of the University’s signature pedagogy, “Nexus Learning,” particularly at the undergraduate level.
· The Provost must nurture ongoing efforts with a focus on ensuring broad university engagement in planning and implementation of student success strategies across undergraduate, graduate, and professional populations that take into account the diverse range of student needs across multiple campuses. The Provost should be prepared to identify campus-wide practices —aligning budget resources, personnel, facilities, and programs — to improve recruitment, retention, and graduation of Thomas Jefferson University students, including working with faculty through shared governance to explore ways to streamline degree programs and incorporate more flexibility and consistency in course delivery options.
· The Provost will identify and implement opportunities to streamline the reporting structure, optimize transparent communication and collaboration between colleges and increase overall effectiveness. The Provost must mentor and develop a diverse team of highly competent academic leaders and build a culture of teamwork, collaboration and shared accountability that positions Jefferson to achieve its long-term goals.
· The Provost will lead the University to think innovatively and challenge the status quo to serve future students. The community will value a Provost with a record of advancing innovation during these unprecedented times in higher education, who is willing to take prudent strategic risks, invest in well-thought-out ventures and encourage innovation from the ground up including evaluation of existing and new programs and existing and new campus opportunities.
· The Provost will increase Thomas Jefferson University’s stature and recognition by being one of its best advocates, touting the university’s unique engagement with Philadelphia in all aspects of its mission from education and research to community service and economic development. The Provost should boldly proclaim these virtues throughout the region and beyond and embrace opportunities to build upon them as a model for other institutions across the nation.
Candidate Qualifications
Education and Experience
· An earned doctorate from an accredited institution is required, as is a record of scholarship that merits appointment as a full professor at Thomas Jefferson University.
· Academic and administrative leadership experience at or above the dean level, preferably in a multi-campus university; a high regard for academic quality and experience with the measures of its success, including institutional accreditation.
· Experience in an academic leadership role within a health sciences institution and or institution affiliated with a healthcare system or with health science academic programs preferred.
· Experience with undergraduate, general education, and graduate education preferred.
· Experience managing a complex budget and resource management; the ability to work in close partnership with the president, deputy provosts, and deans to manage the university’s resources; and ideally, a practical appreciation for new and emerging budget models.
· Experience with regional and specialized accreditation agencies, curriculum development and implementation, including developmental education, instructional technology planning, and program assessment.
· Experience with the operational and financial management of a complex academic institution, including strategic planning, policy development, budgeting, and human resource administration.
· Commitment, understanding, and enthusiasm for effective collaboration with external stakeholders and forming relationships and partnerships, including academic and clinical partnerships, and for interprofessional approaches to teaching, learning, research, and institutional, community, and professional service.
· Experience leading and developing an institutional research portfolio and infrastructure.
· Demonstrated commitment to advancing cultural diversity and gender equity, with particular attention to the recruitment, hiring, and support of faculty and academic staff from culturally diverse backgrounds.
· Experience with and commitment to participatory governance and strategic planning. Capacity to develop and lead a strong team, attract new members as necessary, delegate effectively, and to make fair, sometimes difficult and timely decisions.
· Excellent oral, written, interpersonal communication, relationship skills, and being open to diverse opinions and working with a diverse staff, team, students, and faculty.
· Demonstrable comfort with and commitment to innovation, entrepreneurial endeavors, online learning, evaluation, and quality assessment and research.
· Ability to work effectively with all members of the university’s community – to listen, to engage, and to foster individual and community-wide development.
· Experience in global education.
Procedure for Candidacy
For full consideration, applicants should submit a Statement of Interest and detailed curriculum vitae to: Katie McFadden at [email protected] by March 30, 2026. Confidential inquiries, expressions of interest, and nominations can be submitted to the same address. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
In their Statement of Interest, applicants should focus on the following key areas in 1-2 tight paragraphs for each of the following sections:
· Connection and Leadership
o Demonstrate a clear understanding of Jefferson as a research‑active university and briefly state why its mission and trajectory specifically attract you.
o Offer a short-term vision (5–10 years) for academic excellence, inter-professional education, and innovation in teaching and learning at Jefferson.
· Academic Leadership and Strategy
o Summarize your experiences leading complex academic units (schools, colleges, academic affairs) and setting academic priorities, including 1–2 concrete outcomes.
o Note your experiences with strategic planning, program development, accreditation, and assessment, emphasizing collaborative decision‑making.
· Student Success and Leadership
o State your proven philosophy on student success and list 2–3 key initiatives you have led to improve learning, retention, and outcomes, especially in health or professional programs.
o Briefly describe how you have supported faculty research and scholarship, including infrastructure, mentoring, or partnerships that increased productivity and/or funding.
· Organizational Climate
o Highlight 1–2 cultural initiatives you have led and how you evaluated their impact on students, faculty, or staff.
o How have you built trust and improved campus climate?
· Operations and Fit
o In a few sentences, summarize your experience with academic budgeting, enrollment, and oversight of cross‑cutting units such as libraries, academic technology, and international programs.
· Close with a succinct statement tying your background, leadership approach, and values to Jefferson’s needs and the Provost role.
How to apply
Thomas Jefferson University and Hospitals is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Jefferson values diversity and encourages applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to women, members of minority groups, LGBTQ individuals, individuals with disabilities, and veterans
