Center Executive Officer Idaho Falls

Reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice President, the Center Executive Officer (CEO) for University of Idaho, Idaho Falls (U of I IDF) serves as a public face of the university, facilitating a broadened sphere of influence in southern and southeastern Idaho. The CEO works with university deans, faculty, and staff to expand educational opportunities to students in the southern and southeastern Idaho regions. The CEO works regionally to amplify senior leadership, support legislative engagement, strengthen relationships with municipalities and public agencies, provide outreach to business and develop media coverage. The CEO provides vision and strategic development for the region. In addition, the CEO provides administrative leadership for management of the IDF staff and manages university facilities in Idaho Falls. In support of the instructional site’s mission, vision and goals, the CEO demonstrates a commitment to instruction and student success, provides sound financial management and advances fundraising efforts.

U of I IDF shapes the future of southern and southeast Idaho by bringing university resources into our local communities. The center engages university expertise to transform education, develop innovative research and cultivate a knowledge-based economy responsive to regional needs. U of I IDF is posed to solve some of society’s grand challenges by addressing state and national energy needs in partnership with the adjacent Idaho National Laboratory. U of I IDF elevates the region’s growing science and technology sector with learning opportunities for all. Surrounded by mountains and high plains, U of I IDF is uniquely positioned to build programming connected to the rich industrial heritage in the energy and agribusiness sectors. Sitting along the banks of the Snake River, Idaho Falls is the largest city east of Idaho’s capital and provides a welcoming business environment, some of the lowest utility rates in the nation and leisure opportunities second to none.

Learn more about U of I Idaho Falls.

Management of U of I IDF by:

• Collaborating with the Vice Provost for Strategic Enrollment Management, the Dean of Engineering and the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies on student recruitment strategies and enrollment targets for U of I IDF.
• Coordinating student support services between the institution’s main campus and southeast Idaho location.
• Coordinating U of I program visits for the region including Extension, Alumni Leaders, the State Board of Education and others.
• Leading U of I IDF Center Operations including facilities and technology management.
• Overseeing operations associated with the collaborative agreement with CAES and the INL educational services contract, ensuring corrective actions and resolution of problems.
• Managing and planning budgets, resource allocations, financial projections and financial reports.
• Guiding the marketing and strategic communications for the region.
• Directing U of I IDF signature events in the region.
• Directing initiatives and projects that make positive impact for constituents in the region.
• Managing strategies and objectives for staff meetings, retreats and staff development.

Leadership and Vision for U of I IDF by:

• Guiding programmatic planning and administration with academic deans and faculty in the southeast Idaho region.
• Interfacing and guiding programmatic planning with other higher education institutions in the state and represented in the region.
• Supporting, enhancing and developing student pathways.
• Representing the U of I IDF in economic development efforts.
• Leading community engagement for U of I IDF with the Idaho National Labs, Center for Advanced Energy Studies, local and state elected officials, area chambers of commerce and other community organizations.

Supporting the Academic Affairs mission by:

• Guiding future-focused and high-priority initiatives.
• Identifying and assessing opportunities to grow student enrollment, improve student retention and improve the go-on rate in concert with academic leadership.
• Leading efforts that ensure appropriate research, analysis, strategy and feedback are conducting for effective planning and operational management.
• Guiding external relations strategies and prioritization of initiatives and activities for leadership visits to the region.
• Representing the institution to a variety of internal and external constituencies including alumni, donors, corporate partners and others.
• Aligning with university efforts state-wide.
• Collaborating with other university centers.

• Five years leading an administrative unit with at least four employees in a higher education organization requiring management across departments or units.
• Managing multi-fund budgets including at least three of the listed fund types: governmental funds, state appropriations, sponsored programs, grants, gifts, others.
• Developing and implementing programs to achieve student success and/or goals of constituents.
• Organizing and managing multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously.
• Conducting business and operations needs assessments then formulating and implementing improvements on a continuous basis.
• Establishing and maintaining working relationships with students, faculty, staff, administrators and public, private and governmental offices and agencies.
• An earned graduate degree from an accredited university.

• Ability to understand the political landscape of the State of Idaho, and establish an effective network of statewide, corporate and political leaders in relevant activity areas.
• Knowledge of leading an administrative organization geographically separated from the home location.
• Knowledge of leading successful multi-institutional or multi-organizational collaborations.
• Ability to resolve conflict, collaborate with others and work effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to create and nurture a safe, welcoming and dynamic learning environment of belonging for all students, staff and faculty.
• Ability to communicate effectively and accurately to convey information, instructions and knowledge.
• Knowledge of high ethical standards, professional credibility and personal integrity.

Founded in 1889, the University of Idaho is the state’s land-grant institution and its principal graduate education and research university, bringing insight and innovation to the state, the nation and the world. The student population numbers more than 12,000, including first-generation college students and ethnically diverse scholars at locations in Moscow, Boise, Coeur d'Alene and Idaho Falls. As the only institution in the state to be classified by the prestigious Carnegie Foundation as “higher research activity,” University researchers expended over $109 million in expenditures last year.

Consistently recognized as one of the best public colleges in the United States by The Princeton Review, and a noted national leader in student-centered learning and interdisciplinary research that promotes public service, the University combines the strength of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities and a focus on helping students succeed and become leaders. Over 2,500 faculty and staff support and guide 120 Bachelor's, 83 Master's and 33 doctoral degree options in the colleges of Agricultural and Life Sciences; Art and Architecture; Business and Economics; Education, Health and Human Sciences; Engineering; Law; Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences; Natural Resources and Science. Through an institution-wide commitment to diversity, multiculturalism and community, the University of Idaho actively engages in recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and student body.

The University is a dynamic and integral part of the fabric of Idaho and, as such, plays a key role in the state’s economic development. With extension offices in 42 counties, the University is committed to enhancing the scientific, economic, social, legal and cultural assets of the state and takes pride in a commitment to teaching, research, agriculture, outreach, extension and collaboration. The University provides access to publicly supported medical education through a multi-state partnership with University of Washington’s School of Medicine, and the U of I College of Law is among the nation’s best small state public law schools. Unique academic partnership opportunities are also afforded with other universities and colleges in Idaho, as well as Washington State University, located only 8 miles away in Pullman, Washington.

The residential campus located in Moscow is a place of transformation and lasting traditions. With more than 200 student groups and a vibrant culture, the University is home to the renowned Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival, for which U of I became the first public university to receive the National Medal of Arts, the nation’s highest arts honor. Vandal athletic teams compete in 14 men's and women's NCAA Division I sports. Competing in the Big Sky Conference, the Vandals are reigning conference champions in women’s basketball, women’s golf, men’s golf, women’s soccer and women’s tennis.

For additional information about the University of Idaho, please view the website links below:

• Homepage
• Leadership
• Strategic Plan 2016-2025

• Suzie Long, Dean of the College of Engineering, Search Chair, long@uidaho.edu
• Alice Allen, Director, Student Recruitment and Engagement, Idaho Falls Center
• Chandra Ford, Office of the President and Center Executive Officer, Boise and Southwestern Idaho
• Amy Lientz, Assistant Vice President, Alumni Relations
• Dakota Roberson, Assistant Professor, College of Engineering, Idaho Falls Center
• Cari Espenschade, Executive Assistant, Office of the Provost/EVP, Search Coordinator, cari@uidaho.edu

This position is open until filled, however, applications received on or before June 17, 2023 will receive priority consideration.