Penn State is conducting a national search for a new, high-level administrative position.
The new senior vice provost and chief of staff, who will will “serve as an adviser and integrative leader across academic and administrative units,” and “will provide significant support” to incoming Executive Vice President and Provost Fotis Sotiropoulos, according to a university news release.
“We are looking for a dedicated leader who will quickly integrate into the University’s many communities and constituencies, and drive forward the University’s top initiatives,” Kathy Bieschke, senior vice provost and interim dean of Undergraduate Education and chair of the search committee, said in a statement.
Bieschke is among seven administrative and academic officials on an internal search committee tasked with selecting a candidate for the position, with assistance from recruiting firm WittKieffer.
The new position will “help drive key initiatives, coordinate and support senior staff, manage special projects and foster innovation at the University, among other duties,” the university wrote.
It will be one of seven vice provosts under Sotiropoulos, the former provost at Virginia Commonwealth University who was announced in April as Penn State’s next executive VP and provost and will begin in the role on Aug. 11.
“The ideal candidate will have a proven record of leadership in higher education, possess financial savvy, be able to execute complex initiatives, navigate ambiguity and build trust across diverse constituencies,” according to the release. “Penn State is seeking a strategic thinker who can anticipate needs, offer candid counsel and operate with diplomacy and integrity.”
