Vice President, Online Business Operations

Vice President, Online Business Operations

Non-Bargaining Unit
Exempt
Grade - Unclassified

BASIC FUNCTION

The Vice President of Online Business Operations is the chief growth architect and enterprise leader for Vermont State University’s Online Division. Operating as the General Manager and business executive of VTSU Online, this role owns full profit and loss (P&L) accountability and is charged with aggressively scaling revenue, enrollment, and market share while ensuring long-term financial sustainability.

This position leads the transformation of VTSU Online into a high-growth, performance driven, and market-responsive enterprise aligned with the University’s academic mission. The Vice President drives expansion strategy, builds scalable infrastructure, launches new revenue streams, and delivers measurable financial results. They will position VTSU Online as a competitive, innovative leader in the online higher education marketplace.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the development of and launch high-demand degree programs, certificates, micro credentials, and workforce-aligned offerings. Keep current on latest trends in business and conduct marketing analyses to identify new products and programs. Work collaboratively with VTSU faculty and colleagues to develop robust online offerings and maintain a healthy program portfolio specific to adult learners and aligned with workforce demand.
• Ensure high-quality customer experience throughout the learning journey (pre, during, and post program) across the online portfolio.
• Oversee implementation of appropriate post-program follow-up to measure customer satisfaction and their ability to apply learning solutions.
• Manage the effort of the delivery team to ensure that online programs are delivered with exceptional customer service for learner and faculty. Provide post-program feedback to online to help inform future business decisions and updates.
• Achieve and exceed targeted net profit margins of 4–5% through disciplined financial management and aggressive revenue growth.
• Rapidly scale enrollment and market presence across regional and national online markets.
• Build an agile, performance-driven operational model capable of sustained growth.
• Serve as the executive owner of the VTSU Online’s financial performance with full P&L accountability. Develop and execute multi-year revenue growth strategies and margin expansion plans.
• Oversee financial forecasting, pricing strategy, cost optimization, and ROI modeling.
• Drive performance metrics tied to enrollment growth, conversion, retention, and lifetime student value.
• Lead aggressive enrollment growth initiatives in collaboration with marketing and admissions teams.
• Build scalable student acquisition pipelines using data-driven marketing strategies.
• Conduct competitive market analysis to identify expansion opportunities in new regions and industries.
• Explore public-private partnerships and strategic alliances to accelerate growth.
• Build and optimize the operational backbone of VTSU Online, including technology platforms, CRM systems, analytics infrastructure, staffing models, and student lifecycle workflows.
• Establish high-performance KPIs across admissions, marketing, academic support, and student success.
• Serve as the primary strategic liaison between VTSU Online and University leadership.
• Align growth initiatives with academic standards, accreditation requirements, and shared governance structures.
• Foster a results-oriented culture grounded in accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Dual reporting lines to the Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS) Chancellor and VTSU President

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Direct and indirect supervision of employees in the unit

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in business administration, higher education leadership, public administration, or a related field and minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible executive leadership experience in higher education, online education enterprises, or, a combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired.
• Demonstrated success owning and managing full P&L responsibility for a complex division or business unit.
• Proven record of launching and scaling online programs, new business lines, or start-up initiatives from concept through sustained revenue generation.
• Demonstrated experience building operational infrastructure, including technology systems, enrollment operations, and business process design.
• Extensive experience leading cross-functional teams in dynamic, growth oriented environments.
• Strong knowledge of enrollment management strategy, online education market dynamics, and student acquisition models.
• Demonstrated expertise in financial modeling, budgeting, forecasting, and revenue optimization.
• Experience working within shared governance structures and complex institutional environments preferred.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence, negotiate, and build strategic partnerships.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Doctorate.
• Experience in higher education online program development.
• Background in enrollment growth strategy or digital education expansion.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of best practices and quality assurance in distance education delivery.
• Knowledge of contemporary trends in online degree program demand.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively with faculty.
• Strong planning, administrative and organizational skills.

Skills:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent relationship management, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong organizational and conceptual skills.
• Successful record of interacting with professionals across disciplines.
• Detail-oriented and customer service and compliance-focused.
• Proven record of accountability and follow-through.

Abilities:

• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to support a diverse community and promote diverse perspectives, cultures and an inclusive environment
• Ability to use data-informed decision making to inform resource allocation, processes and procedures.

Location: This position may be based on any Vermont State University campus or performed remotely. If remote, the incumbent must reside in a U.S. state in which the Vermont State Colleges System is authorized and registered to conduct business.

Compensation: The budgeted compensation for this position is $170,000 - $180,000

Benefits Package

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Tuition Waiver to Vermont State Colleges
• Tuition Waiver to UVM* for dependent children
• Employee Assistance Program
• Long Term Disability
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Medical, Personal, and Vacation Leave

This general outline illustrates the type of work which characterizes the job classification. It is not an all-encompassing statement of the specific duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of the position, which will evolve with time.

Vermont State University is a part of the Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS). VSCS values individual differences that can be engaged in the service of learning. Diverse experiences from people of varied backgrounds inform and enrich our community. VSCS strongly encourages applications from historically marginalized and underrepresented populations. VSCS is an equal opportunity employer, in compliance with ADA requirements, and will make reasonable accommodations for the known disability of an otherwise qualified applicant. Please contact our HR office for assistance with accommodations at humanresources@vermontstate.edu.

NOTE: This job is subject to a fingerprint-supported criminal background check. Any offer of employment is contingent upon the satisfactory results of this check.