Position Introduction:

Internal Listing: Limited to Current OU Employees Only

The University invites applications for the Associate Provost for Policy and Administration, who also serves as Chief of Staff to the Norman Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. This is a senior leadership position within the Office of the Provost, responsible for ensuring the smooth and effective operation of the Provost’s Office and advancing key academic priorities across the institution.

Reporting directly to the Norman Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Associate Provost for Policy and Administration provides leadership and oversight of a broad portfolio of academic support functions, including strategic planning and execution, policy development and administration, regulatory compliance, communications, and event coordination.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Provost’s Office Administration

• Serve as a senior advisor and operational resource to the Provost, providing counsel on academic priorities, administration, and day-to-day leadership of the Provost’s Office.
• Collaborate with Deans, Vice Provosts, and other academic leaders to advance the Provost’s strategic priorities and ensure timely follow-up on key initiatives.
• Oversee dean and academic leadership searches and administrative transitions.
• Manage the performance evaluation process for academic administrators reporting to the Provost.
• Consult on new academic program development, degree requests, and other curriculum and organizational change processes.
• Prepare and submit Board of Regents agenda items for non-financial and non-personnel academic matters.
• Oversee administrative programs within the Provost’s portfolio, including Faculty and Staff Awards, Honorary Degrees, and the President’s Honor Roll.
• Support shared governance processes in collaboration with Faculty Senate leadership.
• Represent the Provost at meetings and ensure appropriate action items are executed.

Policy Development and Administration

• Lead the development, review, and maintenance of Academic Affairs policies in collaboration with relevant campus partners.
• Serve as the Academic Affairs liaison to the University Policy Office.
• Oversee updates to the Faculty Handbook and coordinate policy alignment across campuses, including the Health Campus.

Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE) Administration

• Serve as the institution’s primary liaison to OSRHE academic affairs staff.
• Prepare and submit new program proposals, program modifications, policy exception requests, and annual compliance reports.
• Monitor OSRHE policy updates and advise internal stakeholders on compliance requirements.
• Notify OSRHE of institutional actions approved by the Board of Regents.

Communications 

• Draft and disseminate communications on behalf of the Provost and the Office of the Provost.
• Edit and oversee publication of the Provost’s Academic Bulletin during fall and spring semesters.
• Maintain and update the Provost’s Office suite of websites.

Coordinate with Marketing and Communications on academic announcements. Management

• Supervise staff administrative assistants and the Director of Academic Personnel Records.
• Serve as HR liaison for the performance evaluation process for Provost Direct staff.

Event Planning 

• Plan and execute the annual Deans’ Retreat.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to support special academic events, including Commencement and the Faculty Awards and Honors Luncheon.

View full job description.

Required Education and Experience:

• Requires a graduate degree in related area.
• 5 years of experience in a related field

Required Certifications and Licenses:

None

Department Preferences:

The ideal candidate will have:

• An advanced degree (Master's or Doctorate) in higher education administration, public administration, or a relevant academic discipline.
• Significant experience in higher education administration and demonstrated progressive responsibility.
• Proven ability to work effectively with senior academic leadership, faculty governance, and a wide range of institutional stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with an ability to manage multiple complex priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including experience drafting formal communications and institutional documents.
• Familiarity with academic policy development, curriculum governance, and regulatory compliance in higher education.
• Experience working with a state coordinating board or similar external regulatory agency.
• Familiarity with OSRHE policies and reporting requirements.
• Experience with Board of Regents governance and agenda preparation.
• Demonstrated supervisory or team leadership experience.