Position Description

Position Title: Executive Director, WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies (WCET) and Vice President for Technology-Enhanced Education, WICHE
Unit: WCET
Classification: Full-time, exempt level position
Salary Range: $135,000 - $145,000 WICHE

The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) and its 16 member states and territories work collaboratively to expand educational access and excellence for all citizens of the West. By promoting innovation, cooperation, resource-sharing, and sound public policy among its members and their institutions, WICHE strengthens higher education’s contributions to the region’s social, economic, cultural, and civic life. WICHE’s student access programs, policy analysis and research services, cooperative for educational technologies (WCET), and behavioral health unit work to find answers to the most critical questions facing higher education in the West today and tomorrow.
 

WCET

The WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies (WCET) seeks applications from and nominations for individuals with the experience and innovative spirit to lead this dynamic, national organization into the future. Directing this organization offers both the opportunity and the responsibility to lead WCET to the next phase of a more comprehensive approach to technology-enhanced teaching and learning, and to provide an even higher level of service and influence within higher education.

WCET is a membership organization dedicated to convening leaders from colleges and universities, higher education organizations, and companies to collectively improve the quality and reach of e-learning programs. For over 30 years, WCET has developed a stellar reputation and is recognized worldwide as one of the most informative, reliable, and forward-thinking organizations regarding the role of technology and innovation in higher education, with particular strength in the area of policy analysis and strategy. WCET’s membership (over 385 institutions, agencies, businesses, and NGOs) is located in 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Canada. For a more complete picture of the many innovative activities in which WCET is currently engaged, please visit wcet.wiche.edu.

WCET operates as a self-supporting, membership-based unit within WICHE. Its offices, located at the State Higher Education Policy Center in Boulder, CO, offer an exceptional environment to blend creative and productive work with an outstanding quality of life. It is expected that the successful applicant will locate in the Boulder/Metropolitan Denver area.

WCET’s executive director operates both as the CEO of the organization and as a Vice President of WICHE, who is a member of its Senior Leadership Team, reporting directly to the WICHE President. The executive director works with the WCET Executive Council, which serves the membership of WCET as primary advisors to the executive director and is charged with helping to set policy and financial goals.

The Ideal Candidate will:
• Have experience in both the management and policy environments of higher education;
• Have demonstrated visionary leadership on issues of policy and contemporary practice in the use of educational technologies to improve higher education;
• Promote a vision that builds upon the practical needs of members while stretching their thinking regarding emerging innovations;
• Have a proven track record of success with leading, contributing to, or directing a membership organization;
• Have demonstrated experience in fiscal management that includes operating within the approved budget, ensuring maximum resource utilization, and maintaining the organization in a positive financial position;
• Be successful in fundraising and creatively developing strategies for raising other resources that are necessary to support an organization with a unique mission;
• Have demonstrated successful procurement and management of grants, especially in the area of using technology to advance educational goals;
• Have experience in sustaining partnerships with corporations;
• Be recognized for his/her innovative work in the field;
• Understand and appreciate the various constituents that WCET serves and their contributions;
• Recognize the nuances and assets that are available by working collaboratively with a regional organization while having a national scope;
• Provide leadership and counsel to WICHE staff and the WICHE Commission on broad issues related to technology and technology-enhanced learning; and
• Have educational credentials at the doctoral level or significant service in the field.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities of this Position are to:
• Inspire and lead the membership, leveraging expertise in both policy and practice around technology-enhanced learning.
• Empower an exceptionally talented and creative staff that is dedicated to serving the individual institutions, organizations, states, and nations that seek tailored attention and consultation from WCET.
• Participate as an integral member of WICHE’s Senior Leadership Team, advising the WICHE President and staff on all WICHE activities related to issues of technology innovation in higher education.
• Collaborate with the WCET Executive Council and Steering Committee to capitalize on WCET’s strong reputation to set the organization up for success well into the future.
• Manage approximately a $4.6 million annual budget.
• Oversee strategic growth in order to increase revenue through membership services and dues, sponsorships, contracts, networks (such as the successful State Authorization Network), and programming, including the Leadership Summit and Annual Meeting.
• Engage effectively with the myriad types of policymakers, institutional and business leaders, state and federal leaders, and multinational organizations that comprise the membership of WCET and interact with the organization.
• Develop and maintain relationships to procure and manage grants, contracts, or alternative sources of funding to support cutting edge work.
• Oversee the successful implementation of grants and initiatives awarded to WCET (currently these include Every Learner Everywhere, which is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Z Initiative, which is funded by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation).
• Provide creative engagement in the various types of work performed within WCET, from group facilitation to providing technical assistance to faculty and staff development.
• Regularly engage in public speaking and writing for professional and lay audiences.
• Be able to travel regularly.
• Maintain an open, positive, supportive, collaborative, and professional attitude.

Organizational Responsibility:
Reports to the WICHE President

How to Apply:
Please apply for this position through the WICHE website at https://www.wiche.edu/about or through the WCET website at https://wcet.wiche.edu/, by providing a detailed cover letter and curriculum vitae. Applications will be accepted for this position until April 26, 2019.

WICHE is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally-protected status. Applications by members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged.