Professor and Provost and Executive Vice President

Attention: This listing is for visibility only. DO NOT APPLY TO THIS POSITION ON THIS SITE. UCF has retained SP&A Executive Search, a national executive search firm, to assist with this search and all application instructions are listed below under special instructions. APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED HERE WILL NOT BE REVIEWED.

The Opportunity: 

The University of Central Florida (UCF) is on a mission to invent the future of higher education. As a bold, action-driven, and ambitious institution, UCF is redefining what it means to be a preeminent public research university, unleashing the full potential of our students, faculty, and partners to drive discovery, innovation, and impact.

UCF invites applications, nominations, and expressions of interest for the position of Provost and Executive Vice President (Provost & EVP). Reporting directly to the President, the Provost & EVP serves as UCF’s Chief Academic Officer and is a key leader in advancing the university’s strategic vision to grow as Florida’s Premier Engineering and Technology University and one of the nation’s most dynamic and innovative institutions. In addition, they will be a key leader in Florida’s higher education system, which has been ranked #1 by U.S. News and World Report for eight consecutive years.

At UCF, we don’t follow the status quo — we push boundaries, take calculated risks, and turn bold ideas into reality. Our nearly 2,000 faculty make that possible.

The Provost & EVP is a scholar and visionary leader who will champion academic priorities, foster a culture of excellence and innovation, elevate student success alongside faculty achievement, expand access to opportunity, and propel UCF’s impact as a top-tier public research university.

This is an extraordinary opportunity to shape the trajectory of a high-impact, high-momentum university at a pivotal moment in its evolution. UCF’s Unleashing Potential Strategic Plan outlines a commitment to excellence, impact, and innovation, and a framework for UCF to expand its leadership in engineering, technology, health sciences, and space research, while continuing to drive student success, interdisciplinary collaboration, and economic prosperity for the state and beyond. The State of Florida has invested more than $75 million in recurring funds over the past three years to enable us to achieve our vision of broad-based prosperity and a stronger state economy through education and research rooted in engineering and technology across all disciplines.

The Provost & EVP will work collaboratively with the President, Deans, and faculty to reimagine academic programs, prioritize interdisciplinary collaboration, and invest in talent and infrastructure to accelerate UCF’s ascent. This leader will be responsible for strategic resource allocation to drive academic innovation and excellence, ensuring UCF remains a highly desired destination for students, faculty, and researchers who dare to believe in what’s possible.

Additionally, the Provost & EVP will serve as a key partner in advancing research, faculty scholarship, and external engagement, positioning UCF as a driving force in Florida’s economic and technological landscape. This leader will also be responsible for oversight of academic policy development, compliance, and accreditation standards, ensuring institutional integrity and regulatory alignment.

The Provost & EVP will oversee the academic development of UCF’s Academic Health Sciences Center and the College of Medicine at Lake Nona and will also lead the growth and development of UCF Downtown, the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, and university programs across the region to strengthen their alignment with industry clusters and community needs. This leader will also serve as a public-facing representative of UCF, engaging with government leaders, industry partners, alumni, donors, and other key stakeholders, and sharing responsibility with the President for representing UCF’s academic enterprise to external audiences.

Through a commitment to faculty development and shared governance, and a relentless drive for academic excellence, the next Provost & EVP will be instrumental in leading UCF into the future — one defined by breakthroughs, bold leadership, and unstoppable momentum.

Responsibilities:

The Provost & EVP will provide strategic leadership and oversight of the university’s academic enterprise, guiding policy, practice, and culture to achieve UCF’s bold ambitions.

Key responsibilities include:

• Champion Academic Excellence: Lead the development and implementation of cutting-edge programs across all disciplines at the university that leverage the university’s strengths in engineering and technology.

• Recruit and Retain World-Class Faculty: Attract and support outstanding faculty who will advance research, teaching, and public engagement.

• Enhance Student Success and Workforce Readiness: Continue UCF’s leadership in student success by developing innovative strategies that increase retention, graduation rates, and career placement.

• Drive Research and Innovation: Support the advancement of UCF’s research enterprise by expanding interdisciplinary research collaborations, securing funding for major initiatives, and strengthening industry and government partnerships.

• Strengthening Industry and Government Partnerships: Leverage UCF’s position in the state and national innovation ecosystem to deepen relationships with corporate, government, and community stakeholders.

• Support Faculty Development and Shared Governance: Work closely with Faculty Senate and academic leadership to promote shared governance, faculty career development, and academic freedom.

• Optimize Academic Resource Allocation: Ensure strategic alignment of resources across the university’s budget to support academic programs, faculty hiring, and research priorities.

• Advance Digital Transformation in Higher Education: Lead the modernization of academic and business processes to enhance efficiency and innovation in teaching, research, and student support.

• Foster a Culture of Engagement: Support a campus culture that values community, civil discourse, and meaningful experiences for all UCF faculty, students, and staff.

• Accelerate Revenue Diversification: Champion efforts in fundraising, alumni relations, partnerships, and new revenue-generating initiatives.

• Oversee Policy, Compliance, and Accreditation: Guide academic policymaking, ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, and maintain accreditation standards.

Minimum Qualifications:

An earned terminal degree from an accredited institution. A record of distinguished scholarship and teaching that merits appointment as a tenured professor.

Preferred Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will be an accomplished academic leader with the vision, experience, and drive to propel UCF forward as we seek to grow as Florida’s Premier Engineering and Technology University.

• Significant academic leadership experience at a research-intensive university.

• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, resource allocation, faculty engagement, and budget management.

• A strong record of advancing student success and access to opportunity.

• Demonstrated experience in philanthropic activities and alumni and public engagement.

• Experience leading interdisciplinary and cross-sector partnerships.

• A track record of forging partnerships with government agencies, private industry, and research organizations.

• Proven ability to effectively advocate for academic priorities with state and national policymakers.

Additional Application Materials Required:

UCF has retained SP&A Executive Search, a national executive search firm, to assist in this search. To apply, applicants must submit a current curriculum vitae and letter of interest describing relevant experience directly to:

            Alberto Pimentel, Managing Partner

            Sal Venegas Jr., Partner

            Matthew Herrera, Senior Associate

Email: apsearch@spaexec.com  

Refer to code “UCF-PEVPAA” in the subject line

This contact information may also be used for more details, including the full position profile, and to submit inquiries, nominations, and referrals.

The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.

*Do not apply for this position on this site. Applications submitted here will not be reviewed.*

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

None

Job Close Date:

April 21, 2025, at 12:00am EST

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills, and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks! UCF offers:

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program 
• Paid time off, including annual and sick time off and paid holidays
• Retirement savings options 
• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions 
• Education assistance 
• Flexible work environment 
• And more…For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide.

Dive into our Total Rewards Calculator to discover the diverse selection available to you, giving you a glimpse into the benefits that together shape your comprehensive rewards package at UCF.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, post-doctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

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Type of Appointment

Expected Salary

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Central Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

As a Florida public university, UCF makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.   

The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.”  

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 407-823-1336 or email oie@ucf.edu.