Associate Vice President for Online Learning

Strategic Leadership & Infrastructure Development

• Develop and operationalize an integrated online learning ecosystem that establishes consistent quality standards and operational excellence across multiple institutional campuses

• Formulate and institutionalize comprehensive frameworks and protocols for online course development that ensure pedagogical consistency and alignment with industry-recognized best practices and compliance with the criteria of accreditation (e.g., meeting regular and substantive interaction thresholds)

• Engineer scalable organizational systems that transition from traditional models of course ownership by individual faculty members to collaborative, outcomes-based program architecture

• Implement rigorous quality assurance protocols that maintain academic excellence while respecting traditions of faculty governance and academic freedom as appropriate

Team Building & Collaboration

• Integrate and align existing talent across both campuses to establish a unified, high-performing organizational unit

• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with key institutional stakeholders across academic and administrative divisions

• Cultivate a coalition of programs that with an existing online footprint (e.g., MSW, Nursing) to serve as exemplars and advocates for instructional best practices

• Establish professional development frameworks that empower instructional designers to establish appropriate criteria for online programs and to provide evidence-based recommendations and constructive guidance to faculty members

• Cultivate relationships with relevant offices (e.g., academic support, academic advising and career planning) to facilitate the integration of these support offices into the university’s online programming

Program Development & Enhancement

• Direct strategic initiatives to enhance program quality and establish standardized frameworks across all online health sciences offerings, ensuring alignment with accreditation requirements and industry benchmarks

• Champion the conceptualization and launch of targeted degree completion pathways in business and communication disciplines, leveraging data-driven market analysis and institutional strengths

• Provide executive oversight for the systematic transformation of core curriculum courses into comprehensive online modalities that maintain academic rigor and learning outcomes

• Implement and monitor comprehensive faculty credentialing protocols to ensure all online instructors meet or exceed institutional standards and regulatory compliance requirements

Process Implementation

• Institute comprehensive workflow protocols for online course development that integrate evidence-based instructional design methodologies and ensure systematic quality control throughout the development and delivery lifecycle of both online courses and online programs

• Design and deploy institutional accountability frameworks that monitor and ensure appropriate course sequencing and timely degree progression pathways for online student populations

• Construct robust assessment architectures that shift institutional focus from traditional models of individual course ownership to measurable student learning outcomes and competency achievement across online courses and programs

• Cultivate strategic partnerships with historically autonomous academic programs through transparent communication and demonstrated value propositions to facilitate organizational change and continuous quality enhancement

Change Management

• Lead cultural transformation initiatives within traditional academic environments at both institutions, employing strategic change management methodologies to secure faculty buy-in and facilitate organizational evolution

• Drive institutional paradigm shifts from maintenance-focused operations to excellence-driven innovation ecosystems that prioritize continuous improvement and pedagogical learning and growth

• Develop and implement strategic solutions to address systemic structural obstacles, including the redesign of Mount Mercy's compressed five-week course format to align with evidence-based online learning best practices

• Design and implement organizational restructuring initiatives that establish clear delineation between academic governance and administrative operations, ensuring appropriate role clarity and functional accountability

Required Qualifications

• Terminal degree in Education, Instructional Design, Educational Technology, or related field

• Minimum 7-10 years of experience in online learning leadership roles

• Demonstrated success in building online learning infrastructure at scale

• Experience working with accredited programs and understanding of compliance requirements

• Proven ability to lead change in traditional academic environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working across multiple campus environments

• Knowledge of online learning partnerships and vendor management

• Experience with faculty development and training programs

• Understanding of adult learner needs and degree completion programs

Success Metrics

At St. Ambrose University, Mount Mercy campus we are more than an institution of higher learning; we are a beacon for those seeking to impact the world significantly.  Guided by our foundation beliefs and values, our mission and vision reflect our dedication to fostering an inclusive, ethical, and dynamic learning environment

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit your resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references though our online application portal at https://stambroseuniv.applicantlist.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.