Job Competency

Leadership & Management

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) of Troy, New York, the nation’s oldest technological research university, invites nominations and applications for the position of Vice Provost for Enrollment Management. The Vice Provost will serve as a critical member of the senior leadership team, reporting to the Provost, and will be integral in shaping the future direction and continued growth of RPI’s enrollment strategy. RPI’s new strategic plan, RPI Forward, sets forth a five-year road map to Strengthen Enrollment Management, Facilitate and Grow Research, and Enhance Alumni Engagement and Philanthropy.

Driven by groundbreaking technological advancements, far-reaching intellectual exploration, and a commitment to serving humanity, RPI offers over 145 degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels across five schools: Architecture; Engineering; Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences; Lally School of Management; and Science. RPI degree programs are STEM-focused, aligning with the RPI Forward strategic objective to “redefine education and research in the fields of science and technology.” Both students and faculty are deeply committed to translating their education and research activities into real-world impact through innovation and problem-solving and giving life to the RPI motto “Why Not Change the World?”

For the 2024-25 academic year, the Institute welcomed 5,665 undergraduate students and 1,064 graduate students who brought unique strengths, leadership, and talents to add to the vibrancy of the RPI community. Ranked No. 70 among national universities in U.S. News and World Report, the Institute has an operating budget of approximately $440 million, roughly $120 million in annual research expenditures, and an endowment of $1.1 billion.

The Institute seeks a Vice Provost for Enrollment Management who will capture the energy, optimism, and creativity that characterize this moment at RPI and extend it into a bold and broadly embraced vision for enrollment management. The Vice Provost will be responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive, forward-looking, and transparent enrollment strategies to sustain and enhance enrollment strength, academic quality, diversity, and financial sustainability. The Vice Provost will provide visionary leadership to Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid and provide collaborative support for related areas such as Graduate Admissions and Student Success. Developing and maintaining effective communication with the Provost, Executive Cabinet, academic leaders, faculty, and staff regarding enrollment trends, outcomes, and strategic directions will be critical such that the Enrollment Management team can leverage the strengths of the RPI community toward continued positive enrollment outcomes.

The Vice Provost will oversee data-driven strategic planning, regularly reassess recruitment activities, and make informed adjustments in alignment with market conditions and institutional goals. They will manage the fiscal affairs of the enrollment operations, including budget planning, oversight, and regular performance reporting. They will build and nurture educational pipeline programs that are inclusive to all student populations by representing RPI nationally and internationally, engaging prospective students, parents, alumni, and the broader community.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience and a proven record of success in one or more leadership positions in enrollment management. They will have demonstrated strategic vision and exceptional leadership and communication skills, as well as innovative and forward-thinking approaches to recruitment, admissions, financial aid, and enrollment management. The new Vice Provost will have expertise in data-informed decision-making, cutting-edge recruitment tools, fiscal management, enrollment marketing, and strategic planning. They will possess strong interpersonal, diplomatic, and communication skills, as well as experience in motivating teams. The Vice Provost will be strongly committed to, and passionate about, RPI’s technological and scientific educational mission. Aligned to the mission, the Vice Provost will have the acumen to differentiate in the marketplace RPI’s unmatched student experience and education to prospective students and influencers. A bachelor’s degree combined with the depth of experience to champion the value of a technological institute is required; an advanced degree is desirable.

Additional information is available on the WittKieffer website at https://wittkieffer.com/positions/201040.

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as two separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile. Professional references are not requested at this time.

WittKieffer is assisting Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by June 6, 2025.

Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal at https://apptrkr.com/6175253.

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to RPI-VPEM@wittkieffer.com or the WittKieffer team:

Amy Crutchfield, Shelley Arakawa, J.D., and Natalie Song

Expected hiring range: $300,000 – $350,000 per year.

Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.

RPI is committed to the cultivation of a community that is welcoming, inclusive, and above all values learning. We welcome candidates who bring a variety of perspectives to Rensselaer’s work and campus communities. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or other characteristic protected by law.

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