Chief Development Officer - Higher Ed. jobs in Saint Louis, MO

Who We Are:

The Coordinating Board for Higher Education (CBHE) was authorized by an amendment to the Missouri Constitution in 1972 and established by statute in the Omnibus State Reorganization Act of 1974. The CBHE consists of nine members, one from each congressional district and one at-large member. CBHE members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. Biographies of the current board members are available on the MDHEWD web site: https://dhewd.mo.gov/cbhe/members.php.

When originally created, the CBHE governed the Missouri Department of Higher Education, a small state agency governing higher education in the state. In 2019, pursuant to executive order 19-03, the governor expanded the Missouri Department of Higher Education to include the Division of Workforce Development and the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center from the Department of Economic Development. The result of this reorganization is the current MDHEWD, a large state organization with approximately 300 employees.

As a relatively new agency, the MDHEWD undertook significant efforts to create a new strategic plan at the direction of the CBHE. A copy of the CBHE’s strategic plan is available here: https://dhewd.mo.gov/documents/StrategicPlan2021.pdf. As part of the new strategic plan, the CBHE approved a new vision and mission for the MDHEWD.

• Vision – Every Missourian empowered with the skills and education needed for success.
• Mission – Putting Missourians on a path to learn, work, and prosper.

The Opportunity:

The State of Missouri, Coordinating Board for Higher Education (CBHE), is searching for a new Commissioner of Higher Education (Commissioner). The next Commissioner must be a visionary and innovative leader ready to guide the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD) through recent change efforts, to achieve the goals outlined in the new strategic plan, and to lead efforts to develop and improve higher education and workforce development initiatives in the state.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Principal Accountability:

The Commissioner must serve as a strong advocate for higher education and workforce development while also balancing the needs and priorities of a variety of constituents, including:

• Academic institutions
• The Missouri Legislature, the governor’s office, and other governmental bodies
• Communities, chambers of commerce, and business entities throughout the state
• Students, parents, and other concerned parties
• DHEWD leadership and staff
• State and Federal Workforce Development stakeholders, including the State Workforce Development Board

In addition to balancing the needs and priorities of constituents at the direction of the CBHE, the Commissioner is responsible for managing and leading the Assistant Commissioners of the MDHEWD’s offices, which include the:

• Chief of Staff
• Deputy Commissioner
• Director of the Office of Workforce Development
• Assistant Commissioner for Postsecondary Policy
• Assistant Commissioner for Performance and Strategy
• Assistant Commissioner for Communications and Outreach
• Director of External Relations
• General Counsel

The Right Stuff

The ideal Candidate is visionary regarding the educational and learning needs of the state constituency, including higher education, life-long adult learning, and workforce development. Must have proven record of developing and implementing strategic plans—able to translate the strategic plan into actions that achieve the goals of the organization in an equitable manner. Also, ability to work effectively and collaboratively with diverse constituents. Manages associated conflict and competing priorities in a diplomatic, non-defensive manner.

The candidate communicates in a highly effective manner with legislative and other elected officials. Must have a passion and focus on process improvement strategies. Effectively holds the operation accountable for achieving targeted outcomes and constituent satisfaction. The candidate will be a fierce advocate on a local and national level who cares about learners and works hard to build a seamless and equitable postsecondary ecosystem for the betterment of our economy and our citizens.

The candidate will be open and flexible, a catalyst for change, fierce advocate for higher education. Passionate about student access and success, decisive, bridge builder who can unify and transform internal capacity and culture. Resourceful and creative, people and relationship oriented, highly effective listener and communicator. Influential and politically savvy, operates with strong integrity and ethics, instills trust and honesty. A great “salesperson” for higher education and workforce development, knows how to instill accountability and commitment in others. Is innovative and forward-looking, is implementation-focused, manages conflict without becoming defensive or angry. Self-reflective—knows strengths and weaknesses and self-manages effectively, maintains a sense of humor and optimism under pressure.

Education & Experience:

• Master’s degree required, with a doctorate in an applicable field, or J.D., highly desirable.
• A minimum of five years of experience in higher education senior leadership. Ten years of experience preferred.
• Familiarity with the national higher education landscape.
• Demonstrates an understanding of a comprehensive system of higher education that includes land grant and research universities, community colleges, a technical institute, and traditional comprehensive regional universities.
• Strong ability to gain high, credible visibility throughout the state around a variety of higher education and workforce development issues.
• Broad-based experience in all aspects of managing an organization.
• Has a successful record of working with legislative and governmental processes. Communicates in a highly effective manner with legislative and other elected officials.
• Strong record of selection, development, performance management and retention of effective, self-motivated staff.
• Experience reporting to a governing board.
• Experience with knowledge and awareness of, accreditation processes and regulatory requirements affecting institutions of higher education.
• Understands the changing landscape of higher education and has the requisite knowledge and experience to shape the future of higher education to support workforce and economic development in Missouri.
• Demonstrated experience using data to inform decisions.

The Benefits:

• Annual Compensation is $200,000.
• Additional benefits as outlined here: https://pers.oa.mo.gov/state-team-members/team-member-benefits
• Relocation assistance available up to 10% of annual compensation.

How to apply:

Please send a letter of introduction and resume or c.v. to https://circlestrategies.zohorecruit.com/jobs/State-of-Missouri

Submittals will be reviewed until the position is filled. All submittals will be held in strictest confidence.

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The Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Therefore, qualified applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or another protected category. Diversity applicants are encouraged to apply.

ttps://dhewd.mo.gov/