Vice President for Institutional Initiatives

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) seeks a driven, strategic leader to serve as its inaugural Vice President for Institutional Initiatives (“the VP”). Building on an impressive institutional trajectory, the VP will play a pivotal role in advancing RIT’s strategic priorities, as President Bill Sanders implements his agenda for continued development and progress. Reporting directly to the President, the VP will be a key member of the President’s leadership team, partnering to advance and operationalize RIT’s 2035 Strategic Framework: Transforming Lives Through Creativity and Innovation as well as other institute-level initiatives . RIT is a global, private research university with its main campus in Rochester, NY, and four global locations in Croatia (Dubrovnik and Zagreb), Dubai, and Kosovo. Over the past decade, RIT has pursued a bold strategy that has resulted in advancement in every key institutional metric across applications, enrollment, fundraising, faculty, and research. Notably, in 2019, RIT achieved “R2” designation in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Since 2019, RIT’s research output, grant funding, and doctoral student production have grown substantially, and a key institutional priority is to continue this upward trajectory and secure eligibility for R1 status by 2030. The Vice President for Institutional Initiatives will provide executive-level leadership and counsel to the President and senior university leadership and will lead the advancement of select institution-wide priorities. The VP will coordinate strategic planning and execution, lead high-priority cross-functional initiatives, and work across academic and administrative areas to translate institutional priorities into clear plans, aligned action, and measurable outcomes. Success in the role will require a combination of strategic thinking, disciplined execution, and change leadership. Because many institutional initiatives will span existing areas of responsibility, the VP must be highly effective at leading through influence, building shared ownership, clarifying accountability, and working in partnership with university leaders responsible for implementation. The VP for Institutional Initiatives is a full-time, permanent position based on-site in Rochester, NY. The University offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package. The anticipated base salary range for this role is $275,000 to $375,000. The starting base salary will be commensurate with qualifications, experience, market, and organizational considerations. To assist in this important search, Rochester Institute of Technology has engaged Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent below. John Muckle is leading this search with Liz Braun and Ethan Thomas. This search is being conducted by Isaacson, Miller. For the full position profile and to apply, visit the Isaacson, Miller search page.