Leadership Opportunity

The next Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA) will join Bates at an exciting moment, partnering with a dynamic new President and building on the strength of a flourishing division of student affairs at an
institution with a deep commitment to community, inclusion and belonging, academic excellence, intellectual exploration, and engaged citizenship. The next VPSA will join a high-functioning and collaborative
senior team in helping to shape the College’s future direction.

Working closely with the President and in partnership with the rest of the senior team, the VPSA will provide vision, leadership, and direction to further enhance the overall student experience at Bates. As a member of
the President’s senior leadership team, the VPSA will think both broadly and specifically about the student experience and the strategic direction of the College. The next VPSA will seek out and strengthen
collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, and students. They will bring an unwavering commitment to—and demonstrated track record of success in—advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Position Summary:

Bates College seeks an energetic, creative, and collaborative Vice President for Student Affairs with high standards of excellence and integrity. Candidates should have a serious commitment to the values and goals of Bates’ private, residential, liberal arts education; a history of significant and effective organizational leadership; and the demonstrated ability to foster a campus climate that values community, belonging, and mutual respect. They should be an experienced higher education professional with strong organizational and managerial acumen.

The ideal candidate will become an accessible and present member of the Bates community and will possess many of the following experiences and attributes:

• Prior success and senior-level experience in higher education or another student-centered institutional context, providing vision, leadership, and direction that enhance and support the quality of the overall student experience.
• A big-picture forward-thinker who will effectively communicate and facilitate access to resources, support, and other opportunities for students via the student affairs division; anticipate potential
  issues; and successfully maintain strong individual relationships with campus stakeholders.
• The proven ability to lead and manage a team of skilled professionals effectively and to work collaboratively as a member of the President’s senior staff.
• A high degree of authenticity, presence, visibility, accessibility, and openness to students.
• Demonstration of an unimpeachable commitment to equity and diversity in all its forms, including a record of individual action and institutional leadership.
• Experience with crisis management and response.
• A demonstrated commitment to shared governance, with experience engaging with and gaining the confidence of partners and stakeholders across an academic institution.
• Understanding of the partnership between student affairs professionals and faculty members and ability to earn their trust and respect in furtherance of a shared commitment to student success.
• A clear commitment to advancing the culture and context of an engaging and collaborative working environment, with prior success supporting the development and professional growth of
  colleagues.
• Superb communication skills and the ability to speak confidently and persuasively to a variety of audiences, including students, parents, faculty, alumni, donors, staff, and trustees.
• An active listener, learner, and collaborator with a consultative, collegial style and the ability to inspire trust in others.
• A firm yet empathetic advocate and mediator who will promote accountability and encourage healthy boundaries for students as they prepare for life after Bates.

Bates College has retained Spencer Stuart to support this search. If you wish to submit your own application materials or nominate someone to serve as the next Vice President for Student Affairs, please send an email with supporting materials to BatesVPSA@SpencerStuart.com.