CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY TEXAS. President/CEO. Position Specification

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1 CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY TEXAS President/CEO Position Specification December 2013

2 THE OPPORTUNITY The Board of Regents of Concordia University Texas invites applications for the position of President/CEO of Concordia University Texas ( Concordia ), a fast-growing, regionallyacclaimed Christian university in the Concordia University System of the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod. With an enrollment exceeding 2,500 and over 200 faculty and staff, its main campus is situated in western Travis County on 389 acres in the beautiful Central Texas Hill Country. The institution has an annual operating budget in excess of $40 million and spans multiple sites in addition to the main campus San Antonio, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, and North Austin. The President/CEO will succeed Dr. Thomas E. Cedel, the eighth President of Concordia. Salary The President/CEO s salary is competitive among peer institutions and commensurate with the successful candidate s experience and qualifications. Governance Concordia is governed by its Board of Regents. The President/CEO is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Board of Regents, which is composed of 17 lay and clergy members, eight of whom are appointed, eight of whom are elected at the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod national and state conventions, and one ex-officio. The Board of Regents governs the institution through the Carver Policy Governance Model enabling the Board of Regents to focus on large issues of importance and the policy framework within which the institution operates. The Board of Regents delegates the daily operation of the campus to the control of the management (the President). CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY TEXAS AN OVERVIEW Concordia University Texas, a ministry of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LC-MS), offers a variety of educational programs for traditional and non-traditional students at the undergraduate or graduate level. The University is also part of the Concordia University System (CUS), which is comprised of nine colleges and universities located across the United States. The CUS builds national identity, enables cooperative endeavors, and enhances the strength of its member colleges and universities. It engages students of diverse ages and cultures in quality, Christ-centered, Lutheran higher education for lives of service to community and church. A core function of the University is educating professional church workers as pastors, teachers, musicians, and directors of Christian Education. As a Christian university, Concordia University is passionate about three things: faith, learning, and community. By faith, the University means a Lutheran understanding of the Christian faith based on the Bible and the Lutheran confessions. Luther described it as sola scriptura, sola fide and sola gratia; by scripture alone, by faith alone, and by grace alone. By learning, the University means academic excellence in carefully chosen majors and programs of study. The institution believes learning best takes place in an environment framed by our faith. This learning is not only about today, but also about a lifetime pursuit of knowledge. Community is 1

3 the University s final passion. Concordia s community is built on faith and learning in which there is a focus on service to students, faculty, and staff. Mission, Lutheran Ethos, and Christian Values The Board of Regents has defined a Mega-Outcome for the University. It is that the institution s graduates should be men and women who transform communities by seeking out leadership opportunities and influencing people for Christ. This outcome is a reflection of our beliefs as a Christian faith community and our Lutheran worldview. The Mega-Outcome provides the strategic canvas upon which our mission Developing Christian Leaders is operationally executed. The University accomplishes this mission by offering a curriculum designed to develop Christian leaders, modeling Christian leadership as a faculty, staff and administration, providing opportunities for our students to practice Christian leadership and recognizing Christian leadership. In the context of our beliefs and our purpose as a Lutheran University, our definition of a Christian leader forms the filter through which our strategic thinking and operational action is refined: Christian leaders seek knowledge of God, themselves, others and the world throughout their lives in order to act with wisdom, virtue, creativity, and vision in all they do. Christian leaders inspire and influence others toward a shared vision and toward acting as leaders themselves. This definition of a Christian leader empowers the life of a university, in the deepest sense of the Lutheran tradition in higher education, to be a place of academic and theological inquiry where the voices of all who come here are welcome. As Christian leaders in an academic enterprise, our path to transformation as a distinctly Lutheran institution places student learning at its center and seeks to serve those in our broad learning community. Organization Concordia University Texas is organized in a provost model with the Provost responsible for the institution s mission of developing Christian leaders. The other vice presidents in business services, external relations, and university services support the Provost in this mission. The Provost has oversight of all academic programs, enrollment management, student services, financial aid, and athletics. There are four colleges Business, Education, Liberal Arts, and Sciences. The University is in the midst of executing a strategic plan that is focused on six key areas: leadership development, spiritual life, relationships, practices, learning experiences, and pedagogy. Under this transformative strategic plan, leadership has made significant improvements to online education, facilities, and curriculum. THE NEXT PRESIDENT/CEO Concordia seeks a President/CEO to continue to build on outgoing President Tom Cedel s outstanding work leading to Concordia s current position of financial stability, spiritual leadership, and a student-centered learning environment. Concordia s new President will be accountable to the Board of Regents for accomplishment of the Mega-Outcome. 2

4 The President/CEO has the general authority and responsibility for the administration of Concordia and reports directly to the Board of Regents. The President is expected to raise private funds and to continue the development of a comprehensive campus culture centered on Lutheran ethos, and Christian learning and leadership. The President/CEO will serve as the executive head of Concordia and all of its departments, and shall exercise such supervision and direction in order to promote efficient operation. Specific significant and equally important responsibilities are: Developing and administering plans and policies for the programs, organization, and operations of Concordia. Establishing trust and leadership within the three circles of influence vital to Concordia s success church, academics, and community. Leading the development and implementation of private fund-raising and financial support for Concordia in accordance with policies and procedures established by the Board of Regents. Interpreting policy and communicating it to the staff, and interpreting Concordia s programs and needs and communicating it to Concordia administration and to the public at large. Developing and administering policies relating to students. Developing and implementing appropriate operating budgets and supervising expenditures under approved budgets. Ensuring efficient management of business affairs and physical property, and recommending additions and alterations to university facilities. Authorizing appointment, promotion, reappointment, non-renewal of appointment, or dismissal for cause of faculty; authorizing or delegating authorization of staff members for appointment, promotion, retention, or dismissal for cause. Stipulating the specific duties and assignments of the principal officers reporting to the President/CEO and establishing and defining the duties of committees to advise and assist the President/CEO in the execution of his/her duties. Appointing or establishing procedures for the appointment of faculty, staff, and student committees. Developing long-range plans for the programs and physical facilities of Concordia. Developing and implementing plans and policies to ensure that Concordia remains in compliance with any accreditation requirements appropriate to the institution or its programs. 3

5 QUALIFICATIONS Basic Qualifications The successful candidate must be/have: A member in good standing of a congregation of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Committed to Lutheran Christian higher education. Committed to the doctrinal positions of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. A reputation for the highest degree of honesty, integrity, and mature judgment. Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills. A high energy level. Credentialed with an earned, terminal degree. Articulate with a good stage presence. Professional Experience The professional background of the successful candidate will include: Executive or administrative leadership experience in a complex environment (public or private organization with over 100 employees, executive management, a board of directors, etc.). Development and implementation of strategic plans for institutions of higher education or other public or private organizations. Demonstrated success in managing a significant budget. Demonstrated success in solicitation of significant funds or solid record of institutional development, in either the private or public sector. Competence in analyzing complex financial results and data concerning institutions of higher education or similarly-sized public or private organizations. Successful track record in building and sustaining constructive, collaborative relationships with all organizational constituents. Proven experience implementing complex, organizational change effectively. Working with accreditation organizations of higher education or similarly purposed regulatory bodies in order to demonstrate and achieve organizational compliance. 4

6 Personal Attributes and Behavioral Competencies The personal attributes and behavioral competencies of the successful candidate will include: Demonstrated and active faith life. Possession of a clear vision of how Concordia will continue building upon recent successes and achieve long term goals established by the Board of Regents. Distinction in at least one academic or professional area. Demonstrated considerable leadership and administrative ability, including fiscal management; the ability to make hard decisions under pressure. An understanding of, and appreciation for, information technology and its application to higher education. The ability to work with community leaders. Personal ability to inspire alumni, community leaders, the Board of Regents, faculty, staff, and students through dynamic leadership and vision. Proven ability to speak before large groups. Reputation as a team builder. Proven ability to manage conflict in large organizations. Courage and resilience to face stress-filled situations. A strong sense of urgency, a high level of personal initiative, and drive for results. Excellent organizational skills, and ability to plan and manage a demanding work schedule. Analytical ability to understand, monitor, and control significant financial data and operating budgets. Contact Nominations and expressions of interest in being nominated should be sent to Barry Burgdorf, Chair, Presidential Search Committee, Concordia University Texas, Concordia University Dr., Austin, TX or by to presidential.applications@concordia.edu. 5