Job Summary

Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKCTC) invites applications for the position of Chief Academic Affairs Officer (CAO). Reporting directly to the President/CEO, the CAO serves as the senior academic leader of the College and provides strategic vision, leadership, and administrative oversight for Academic Affairs across a multi-campus institution.

The chosen candiate must be willing to travel regularly to different campuses and occasionally out-of-region for system or other meetings and conferences.

Job Duties:

Academic Leadership and Strategic Direction
• Provide leadership to Academic Affairs consistent with the mission and strategic priorities of the College.
• Promote academic integrity and an effective teaching and learning environment.
• Lead academic planning, program development, and institutional effectiveness initiatives.
• Collaborate with college leadership and KCTCS partners to advance academic priorities.
• Support innovation in instructional delivery, including face-to-face, hybrid, and online modalities.

Faculty Leadership and Shared Governance
• Support recruitment, retention, mentoring, and evaluation of faculty and instructional staff.
• Promote professional development and instructional excellence.
• Support promotion and tenure processes in collaboration with division leadership.
• Maintain fair and consistent application of institutional and system policies.
• Provide visible and accessible leadership across campuses and academic divisions.

Student Success and Academic Operations
• Facilitate academic processes that support student success, progression, and completion.
• Strengthen academic support services, including library resources, extended campus learning, and academic supports.
• Ensure academic programs remain responsive to student and workforce needs.

Instructional Programs and Institutional Effectiveness
• Oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of academic programs and curriculum.
• Collaborate with department heads on preparation and evaluation of class schedules.
• Lead accreditation, assessment, and institutional effectiveness efforts within Academic Affairs.
• Identify and implement technologies that enhance teaching and learning.
Communication and Collaboration
• Maintain effective communication among academic units, KCTCS leadership, partner institutions, and community stakeholders.
• Convene regular meetings with academic leadership to support collaboration and alignment.
• Represent Academic Affairs across the College’s service region.

Budget and Resource Leadership
• Develop and manage the Academic Affairs budget aligned with strategic priorities.
• Participate in institutional budget planning and resource allocation.
• Support grant development and academic funding initiatives.

Administrative and Compliance Responsibilities
• Ensure compliance with accreditation standards, KCTCS policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide leadership in institutional reporting, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the President/CEO.

SKCTC is entering a period of strategic opportunity as the College expands workforce programming, strengthens academic pathways, and responds to evolving student needs across a rural, multi-campus service region. The next Chief Academic Affairs Officer will play a pivotal role in shaping academic strategy, enhancing institutional effectiveness, and ensuring programs remain responsive to student aspirations and regional workforce demands.
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Leadership Opportunities & Challenges

Advancing Student Success Across a Multi-Campus Environment
• Lead initiatives that strengthen retention, completion, and equitable access to academic programs and support services across geographically dispersed campuses.

Strengthening Workforce Alignment and Academic Innovation
• Guide the development and evaluation of programs that balance workforce responsiveness with strong transfer pathways and academic rigor.

Supporting Faculty Engagement and Academic Culture
• Foster a collaborative environment grounded in shared governance, transparency, and meaningful faculty and staff engagement.

Enhancing Institutional Effectiveness and Accreditation Readiness
• Lead assessment, program evaluation, and academic planning efforts that demonstrate measurable outcomes and continuous improvement.

Building Regional Partnerships
• Serve as a visible ambassador for academic programs and strengthen partnerships with universities, employers, and community organizations.

Leading Through Change
• Supports innovation while recognizing and building upon the programs and practices that have long served SKCTC’s students and communities.

Minimum Qualifications:

Earned doctoral degree from an accredited institution and at least five (5) years of related work experience, or equivalent. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Progressive experience in postsecondary teaching with understanding of transfer and technical education environments.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in academic affairs or instructional administration.
• Experience supporting teaching, learning, or academic program operations.
• Knowledge of curriculum development, institutional effectiveness, accreditation, or academic program management.

Additional Skills Requested:

Employee Rights - Employee Polygraph Protection Act

Equal Opportunity Employer - The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is an equal educational and employment opportunity institution.