Executive Director - WCET & VP for Digital Learning - WICHE
Apply NowCompany: Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education
Location: Boulder, CO 80302
Description:
Position Title: Executive Director, WCET - the WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies - and Vice President, Digital Learning, at the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE)
Unit:WCET
Classification: Full-time, exempt-level position
Salary Range: $155,000 to $165,000
To Apply: To ensure full consideration, application materials, including a cover letter and resume, should be received no later than September 11, 2024. The position will remain open until filled.
WCET - the WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies - and the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) are seeking applications from qualified individuals with vast experience and a collaborative spirit to step into a highly trusted and visionary role to drive the future of digital learning in postsecondary education during a time of immense change, challenge, and promise.
WCET
Dedicated to collectively improving the quality and reach of digital learning, WCET is the leader in the practice, policy, and advocacy of digital learning in higher education. For more than 30 years, WCET has developed a stellar reputation and is recognized as one of the most informative, reliable, and forward-thinking organizations regarding the role of digital learning in higher education, with strength in policy analysis and emerging digital practices. WCET's three teams include:
WCET Membership: WCET's growing membership includes postsecondary institutions, organizations, agencies, corporations, and NGOs, and spans 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and a few other countries.
State Authorization Network (SAN): Requiring an additional membership, SAN is the leader for guidance and support for navigating state and federal regulatory compliance for out-of-state activities of postsecondary institutions. SAN membership includes postsecondary institutions, systems, and groups of institutions from throughout the U.S.
Every Learner Everywhere: Supported primarily through grants and contracts, Every Learner Everywhere advocates for equitable outcomes in U.S. higher education through advances in digital learning.
For a more complete picture of the many innovative activities in which WCET is engaged, please visit wcet.wiche.edu.
WCET operates as a self-supporting unit within WICHE. Its offices, located at the State Higher Education Policy Center in Boulder, Colorado, offer an exceptional environment to blend creative and productive work with an outstanding quality of life.
WICHE
Since 1953, WICHE has been strengthening higher education, workforce development, and behavioral health throughout the region. From promoting high-quality, affordable postsecondary education to helping the West get the most from their technology investments and addressing behavioral health challenges, WICHE improves lives across the region through innovation, cooperation, resource sharing, and sound public policy. Visit wiche.edu.
The WICHE region includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai'i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States. WICHE's 48 commissioners are appointed by the governors of the 15 Western states and, in the case of the U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States, the presidents of the three sovereign nations. Commission activities are funded in part through annual dues paid by region members and in part through grants and sponsorships.
One of four regional interstate higher education compacts in the United States, WICHE was created as a body corporate and an agency of each compacting state and territory through the Western Regional Education Compact. WICHE functions not only as an interstate compact but is also recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code.
The Position
The position is twofold: The Executive Director of WCET is responsible for leading WCET, which includes overseeing the national WCET membership organization; SAN; and Every Learner Everywhere. The Executive Director works closely with the WCET Executive Council, which serves as primary advisors to the Executive Director and is charged with helping to set strategic and financial goals.
This role also operates as a Vice President, Digital Learning, for WICHE, serving the higher educational and workforce needs of the West. In this role, the Vice President leads the work related to digital learning for the regional interstate compact and is expected to attend and present at the WICHE Commission meetings held biannually at locations around the West. The selected candidate will serve as a member of WICHE's Senior Leadership Team and report directly to the WICHE President.
Note: This is not a remote or hybrid position; it is expected that the successful applicant will reside in or relocate to the Boulder/Metropolitan Denver area upon hiring.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
Requirements:
Travel Requirements:
The Executive Director, WCET, and Vice President, Digital Learning, WICHE, role is expected to travel approximately 25% of the time (averaging 15 to 20 out-of-state trips per year).
Benefits:
WICHE offers a competitive benefits package which includes medical insurance with generous employer contribution to health savings account (HSA), dental, life, paid family leave, long-term disability insurance; flexible spending accounts (medical and dependent care); 403(b) retirement plan with employer match of 200% on employee contributions up to 5% after six full months of employment; and vacation accrual of four weeks per year, sick leave, paid holidays, and personal leave time.
WICHE is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications by members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged.
Unit:WCET
Classification: Full-time, exempt-level position
Salary Range: $155,000 to $165,000
To Apply: To ensure full consideration, application materials, including a cover letter and resume, should be received no later than September 11, 2024. The position will remain open until filled.
WCET - the WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies - and the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) are seeking applications from qualified individuals with vast experience and a collaborative spirit to step into a highly trusted and visionary role to drive the future of digital learning in postsecondary education during a time of immense change, challenge, and promise.
WCET
Dedicated to collectively improving the quality and reach of digital learning, WCET is the leader in the practice, policy, and advocacy of digital learning in higher education. For more than 30 years, WCET has developed a stellar reputation and is recognized as one of the most informative, reliable, and forward-thinking organizations regarding the role of digital learning in higher education, with strength in policy analysis and emerging digital practices. WCET's three teams include:
WCET Membership: WCET's growing membership includes postsecondary institutions, organizations, agencies, corporations, and NGOs, and spans 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and a few other countries.
State Authorization Network (SAN): Requiring an additional membership, SAN is the leader for guidance and support for navigating state and federal regulatory compliance for out-of-state activities of postsecondary institutions. SAN membership includes postsecondary institutions, systems, and groups of institutions from throughout the U.S.
Every Learner Everywhere: Supported primarily through grants and contracts, Every Learner Everywhere advocates for equitable outcomes in U.S. higher education through advances in digital learning.
For a more complete picture of the many innovative activities in which WCET is engaged, please visit wcet.wiche.edu.
WCET operates as a self-supporting unit within WICHE. Its offices, located at the State Higher Education Policy Center in Boulder, Colorado, offer an exceptional environment to blend creative and productive work with an outstanding quality of life.
WICHE
Since 1953, WICHE has been strengthening higher education, workforce development, and behavioral health throughout the region. From promoting high-quality, affordable postsecondary education to helping the West get the most from their technology investments and addressing behavioral health challenges, WICHE improves lives across the region through innovation, cooperation, resource sharing, and sound public policy. Visit wiche.edu.
The WICHE region includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai'i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States. WICHE's 48 commissioners are appointed by the governors of the 15 Western states and, in the case of the U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States, the presidents of the three sovereign nations. Commission activities are funded in part through annual dues paid by region members and in part through grants and sponsorships.
One of four regional interstate higher education compacts in the United States, WICHE was created as a body corporate and an agency of each compacting state and territory through the Western Regional Education Compact. WICHE functions not only as an interstate compact but is also recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code.
The Position
The position is twofold: The Executive Director of WCET is responsible for leading WCET, which includes overseeing the national WCET membership organization; SAN; and Every Learner Everywhere. The Executive Director works closely with the WCET Executive Council, which serves as primary advisors to the Executive Director and is charged with helping to set strategic and financial goals.
This role also operates as a Vice President, Digital Learning, for WICHE, serving the higher educational and workforce needs of the West. In this role, the Vice President leads the work related to digital learning for the regional interstate compact and is expected to attend and present at the WICHE Commission meetings held biannually at locations around the West. The selected candidate will serve as a member of WICHE's Senior Leadership Team and report directly to the WICHE President.
Note: This is not a remote or hybrid position; it is expected that the successful applicant will reside in or relocate to the Boulder/Metropolitan Denver area upon hiring.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
- Inspire and lead the WCET teams and memberships, leveraging expertise in both policy and practice around digital learning.
- Participate as an integral member of WICHE's Senior Leadership Team, advising and collaborating with the WICHE President and staff on all WICHE activities related to issues of technology innovation in higher education.
- Lead and empower an exceptionally talented and creative staff that is dedicated to serving WCET members as well as their respective efforts within WCET, whether it be SAN or Every Learner Everywhere.
- Collaborate with the WCET Executive Council and Steering Committee to capitalize on WCET's strong reputation to provide services that are responsive to member needs and set the organization up for success well into the future.
- Manage approximately a $4 million annual budget.
- Oversee strategic growth to increase revenue through membership services and dues, sponsorships, grants, contracts, services, and programming, including the Leadership Summit, WCET Annual Meeting, SAN workshops, and Every Learner Everywhere courses.
- Engage effectively with various policymakers, institutional and business leaders, state and federal leaders, and colleagues from national organizations that comprise and interact with WCET.
- Develop and maintain productive and authentic relationships to procure and manage grants, contracts, or alternative sources of funding to support cutting edge work.
- Oversee the successful implementation of grants and initiatives awarded to WCET (currently this includes Every Learner Everywhere, which is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation).
- Provide creative engagement in the various types of work performed within WCET, from group facilitation to providing technical assistance to faculty and staff development.
- Regularly engage in public speaking, including conferences, media interviews, and writing for professional and lay audiences.
- Be able to travel regularly.
- Maintain an open, positive, supportive, collaborative, and professional attitude.
Requirements:
- Experience in the management structures, policy environments, and culture of postsecondary education.
- Demonstrated visionary leadership on issues of policy and contemporary practice in the use of educational technologies to improve higher education.
- Vision that builds upon the practical needs of members while stretching their thinking regarding emerging innovations.
- Proven track record of success with leading, contributing to, or directing a membership organization.
- Demonstrated experience in fiscal management that includes operating within the approved budget, ensuring maximum resource utilization, and maintaining the organization in a positive financial position.
- Ability to anticipate emerging issues and interpret federal and state policy developments, assess their importance to postsecondary institutions and states, and initiate research, technical assistance or other appropriate efforts in response.
- Understanding and appreciation of WCET's various constituents and their diverse perspectives.
- Success in fundraising and creatively developing strategies for raising other resources that are necessary to support an organization with a unique mission.
- Demonstrated successful procurement and management of grants, especially around using technology to advance educational goals.
- Experience in sustaining partnerships with corporations and vendors.
- Recognition for innovative work in the field.
- Recognition of the nuances and assets that are available by working collaboratively with a regional organization while having a national scope.
- Ability to lead and provide guidance on broad issues related to technology and technology-enhanced learning.
- Educational credentials at the doctoral level or significant service in the field.
Travel Requirements:
The Executive Director, WCET, and Vice President, Digital Learning, WICHE, role is expected to travel approximately 25% of the time (averaging 15 to 20 out-of-state trips per year).
Benefits:
WICHE offers a competitive benefits package which includes medical insurance with generous employer contribution to health savings account (HSA), dental, life, paid family leave, long-term disability insurance; flexible spending accounts (medical and dependent care); 403(b) retirement plan with employer match of 200% on employee contributions up to 5% after six full months of employment; and vacation accrual of four weeks per year, sick leave, paid holidays, and personal leave time.
WICHE is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications by members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged.