Director of Academic Affairs and Innovation

Overview

California Miramar University (CalMU) is a dynamic and mission-driven institution committed to delivering accessible, high-quality education to a diverse community of learners. While CalMU is actively growing, we currently operate with a small and focused team, and our structure will continue to evolve as the university expands. This environment enables leaders to remain closely connected to the work, collaborate directly across departments, and drive initiatives that have clear and immediate impact on students, faculty, and academic quality.

CalMU is strengthening its academic foundation by refining programs, enhancing instructional quality, and adopting a more data-centered approach to academic decision-making. We are also modernizing core academic systems, including the replacement of our LMS and SIS platforms. Our priorities center on continuous improvement, compliance, student success, and the development of scalable academic processes that support long-term institutional growth.

Position Summary

The Director of Academic Affairs and Innovation serves as CalMU’s senior academic leader responsible for ensuring academic excellence, driving program innovation, elevating faculty performance, and improving student success outcomes. This role reports directly to the Executive Director and President and plays a central role in shaping CalMU’s academic strategy and infrastructure.

Because CalMU currently operates with a streamlined academic team, this position requires a leader who is comfortable being both strategic and hands-on. The Director will oversee and directly support the Dean, Registrar, and Student Success Specialist, ensuring consistent alignment, high performance, and effective academic operations. The Director will also lead the university’s transition to modern LMS and SIS platforms, managing evaluation, vendor selection, implementation, and campus-wide adoption.

This role is ideal for an experienced academic leader who thrives in environments where systems are evolving, who enjoys building structures from the ground up, and who is motivated by the opportunity to make a measurable and lasting impact.

Key Responsibilities

Academic Leadership and Quality Improvement

• Evaluate, update, and standardize curriculum across all existing programs to strengthen quality, workforce alignment, and accreditation compliance.
• Lead the development and launch of new academic programs, including market research, design, and implementation.
• Establish academic policies, instructional standards, and faculty evaluation frameworks.
• Oversee faculty hiring, onboarding, development, and performance review processes.
• Use data-centered practices to monitor student outcomes, academic performance, and retention, and implement targeted interventions.
• Provide direct leadership, coaching, and performance oversight for the Dean, Registrar, and Student Success Specialist.

Innovation and Academic Systems Development

• Lead the full replacement cycle of CalMU’s LMS and SIS platforms, from research and requirements gathering through vendor selection, implementation, training, and rollout.
• Introduce and integrate educational technologies and AI-enabled tools to support high-quality instruction and student learning.
• Develop scalable academic processes and documentation to support compliance, growth, and operational consistency.

Accreditation, Compliance, and Operational Alignment

• Ensure alignment with accrediting bodies and prepare the university for upcoming accreditation and reaccreditation cycles.
• Strengthen academic documentation, evidence collection, and assessment practices.
• Partner with administrative and academic leaders to ensure regulatory compliance across all academic functions.

Cross-Functional Leadership and Collaboration

• Work closely with senior leadership to align academic strategy with institutional goals and priorities.
• Partner with Admissions, Student Services, Finance, and IT to support a cohesive student lifecycle and operational efficiency.
• Provide leadership in campus-wide initiatives related to academic quality, retention, technology enhancement, and continuous improvement.

First 6-Month Milestones

Within 3 Months

• Deliver a comprehensive Academic Assessment Report outlining gaps, risks, strengths, and immediate improvement priorities.
• Begin structured evaluation of LMS and SIS system options, including functional requirements and vendor assessment.

Within 6 Months

• Develop a complete Academic Improvement Plan with timelines and measurable objectives related to quality, faculty development, and program enhancement.
• Present a recommended LMS/SIS replacement strategy with implementation timelines and resource needs.

Qualifications

Required

• Master’s degree or higher in IT, Business, Education, or a related discipline.
• Eight to ten years of progressive academic leadership experience (Dean, CAO, Provost, or similar).
• Demonstrated success launching new academic programs or overseeing curriculum innovation.
• Experience improving academic quality, faculty performance, and student outcomes.
• Familiarity with national or regional accreditation standards.
• Experience implementing or managing LMS and SIS systems.
• Leadership experience overseeing academic units such as Registrar, Academic Affairs, or Student Success.
• Strong communication, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Based in San Diego and available for full-time, on-campus work.

Preferred

• Experience in entrepreneurial, for-profit, or rapidly evolving higher education environments.
• Doctorate in a relevant field.

Why This Role Matters

This is a defining opportunity for an academic leader who wants to shape the next generation of CalMU’s academic structure, elevate quality, modernize systems, and directly support the success of faculty and students. The Director will play a pivotal role in building the foundation that supports the university’s long-term academic excellence and institutional growth.

Pay: $125,000.00 - $175,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance