Department: Provost's Office

Contract type: Full-time

Job location: Yerevan, the capital of the Republic of Armenia

Description

The American University of Armenia seeks qualified candidates for the full-time position of a Provost. The Provost serves as the University’s chief academic officer and a key member of the senior leadership team, reporting directly to the President. The Provost provides strategic vision, leadership, and oversight for all academic programs and policies and is responsible for maintaining academic standards, facilitating institutional growth, and safeguarding the University's mission, ensuring excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service. The role encompasses overseeing faculty appointments and promotions, fostering collaboration across academic units, and serving as a primary leader who works closely with the President, other members of the University’s Executive Team, academic leadership, and faculty.  In particular, the Provost will work in close cooperation with the Vice President for Research and Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services, ensuring a smooth and seamless coordination of their shared academic responsibilities and fostering a vibrant academic environment that supports student success, faculty achievement, and global engagement.    

Key Responsibilities

The Provost’s role at AUA is multifaceted, focusing on both high-level academic strategy and operational oversight: 

Academic Leadership

• Provide strategic direction and leadership in the University’s academic mission, academic planning, development, assessment, and implementation, ensuring high-quality education grounded in the principles of Western liberal education.
• Ensure that the academic and instructional programs of the University are of the highest quality. Evaluate continuously and enhance the University’s academic programs to ensure integrity, excellence, growth, and competitiveness.
• Work with the VP for Enrollment and Student Services and other members of the Executive Team to promote coordination and communication between the academic and administrative operations.
• Establish positive relationships with faculty, staff, students, community, government, and private sectors.
• Promote innovation in curriculum design, pedagogy, and academic programming.
• Lead academic planning and assessment processes to ensure continuous improvement and institutional effectiveness.
• Work with the VP for Research to coordinate academic and research policies of the University and oversee the development of new or revised such policies, as needed.
• Manage the academic budgeting process. Promote the University’s core values. Plan and act strategically.
• Lead organizational change initiatives using data-driven decision-making methodology.
• Teach one three-unit course per semester, starting from Fall 2027.
• In performing these responsibilities, regularly consult and report to the President on all relevant matters.
• Perform other duties as needed and as assigned by the President to support/promote AUA.

Faculty Affairs

• Recruit, develop, and retain an accomplished and diverse faculty.
• Work closely with the President and VP for Research to oversee hiring, mentoring, evaluation, and promotion of faculty consistent with institutional standards and shared governance principles.
• Foster a collegial academic culture that values collaboration, integrity, and professional growth.

Global and Cross-Cultural Engagement

• Advance the University’s mission as an American institution operating in an international setting.
• Promote cross-cultural understanding and global perspectives in the curriculum and campus life.
• Build and sustain partnerships with local, regional, and international institutions.
• Represent the University in scholarly forums, focusing on international education and other matters germane to the growth of AUA.

Administration and Operations

• Supervise deans, General Education, Accreditation Liaison Officer, and Extension, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities.
• Conduct annual evaluations of the deans and other direct reports.
• Work with HR to oversee the faculty evaluation process led by the deans.
• Work with the President to develop the University’s core annual academic and operating budget and long-term strategic plans in cooperation with the other members of the University’s Executive Team. Work with the President on the oversight of the fiscal management of the academic budget. 

Role Characteristics

• Leadership Style: The position is viewed as a collaborative and people-centered leadership role characterized by approachability, fairness, and diplomacy, that encourages open dialogue and builds trust through respectful communication, values diverse perspectives, and fosters a positive, inclusive environment.  The selected candidate will effectively motivate and guide teams toward shared goals while maintaining high standards of integrity and accountability.
• Collaboration: A core component of the role is facilitating communication and collaboration between academic units, faculty, and administration to achieve institutional objectives, creating a supportive team culture where individuals feel valued, heard, and empowered to contribute.
• Reporting: The Provost works under the direction of the President and is a high-ranking official within the university’s executive leadership structure.

Qualifications

Candidates must have strong academic and leadership credentials; an earned doctorate degree; evidence of successful teaching, administrative and managerial abilities; a strong track record of research as evidenced by scholarly publications; senior faculty and academic management experience in U.S. or Western educational institutions; financial management skills; knowledge of grant application and administration. Previous experience in conducting academic duties in an international setting and knowledge of Armenia is desirable but not required.

Additional Information

Requirements: This position requires the successful candidate to reside in Armenia. It will require interaction with the Armenian government, the U.S. Embassy, and various funding agencies. It will also require coordination for joint programs with other local and international universities.

Compensation: AUA offers competitive compensation and benefits packages.

Submission: Nominations and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. To apply for this position, please send a letter of interest, a CV, a statement of academic and managerial philosophy, and a list of five references (PDF format is preferred) to ProvostSearch@aua.am.

 

AUA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active non-discrimination program within the institution.

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