Position Profile

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Position Overview

The President is responsible for providing transformative leadership, focus and strategic vision for Texas Tech University in collaboration with the Chancellor and the Board of Regents. The President administers and orchestrates all operations and programs of the institution. The selected Chief Executive provides executive oversight in continuing the expansion of research and identifies appropriate goals and objectives for the University and the means by which the University may successfully achieve those goals and objectives. The President ensures proper administration of the financial affairs of the University, actively working with the Chancellor to ensure that the institution acquires the necessary public and private resources for successful achievement of the University’s goals and objectives, and engaging with the Texas Tech University System in fundraising activities that increase the University’s endowment.

Additionally, the President is expected to fully support and help bring to fruition the Board and Chancellor’s long-term objectives for the Texas Tech University System – achieving national research/Tier One status for Texas Tech University and positioning Texas Tech University in the company of the best institutions of higher education in the United States as a peer of those in the Association of American Universities (AAU).

Learn more about the opportunity through the entire Search Criteria and Position Profile. 

President Role Specifications

Background/experiences and skills/accomplishments that are key to the success of the President

• • The Board of Regents and Chancellor seek an individual with unquestioned integrity, high energy and demonstrated leadership and administrative abilities who can shape, articulate and implement the dynamic mission of Texas Tech University in the twenty-first century. The President will demonstrate exceptional leadership skills in an academic, research and/or service environment.
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• • The President will possess an outstanding reputation for executive-level management with documented ability to administer and coordinate all operations and programs of the institution and to lead and manage change and growth. Clear indication of the financial sophistication required to manage a financially complex institution, ensuring proper administration of the financial affairs of the University including the accounting, financial oversight and financial report preparation functions required.
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• • The President will merit broad-based respect to inspire institutional accountability, efficiency, fiscal responsibility, and the ethical and effective performance of all leaders and divisions in the University.
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• • The President must be a compelling and energetic personality with a demonstrated history of strategizing, charting a course, engaging multiple stakeholders, setting appropriate and reasonable fundraising goals, and meeting those objectives, with personal integrity and sound financial management.
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• • The President brings academic experience and credentials to serve as the academic leader for the University in order to ensure that the University provides a high quality faculty and educational curriculum for the benefit of its students and that it advances and expands research and creative scholarship.  In addition, the President will be able to develop and implement plans and policies to ensure that the University remains in compliance with any accreditation requirements appropriate to the University, and to nominate all members of the faculty and administration under the jurisdiction of the President and make recommendations to the Board for the award of tenure for faculty members.
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• • The President provides leadership in continuing the expansion of research while maintaining excellence in teaching.
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• • The President identifies appropriate goals and objectives for the University and the means by which the University may successfully achieve those goals and objectives, and provides to the Chancellor and the Board of Regents recommendations relative to these matters.
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• • The President actively works with the Chancellor to ensure that the institution acquires the necessary public and private resources for successful achievement of the University’s goals and objectives and engages in fundraising activities that increase the University’s endowment.
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• • The President provides for the proper administration and oversight of the operations of the Department of Athletics, and ensures that the University’s intercollegiate athletic programs and activities adhere to the highest standards of integrity and the rules and requirements of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Big XII Conference.
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• • The President will foster and show commitment to a diverse faculty, staff, and student population, and encourage cultural diversity throughout the institution’s curriculum, activities and community involvement.
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• • The President ensures all facets of the University provide efficient, effective, and professional service to the internal and external constituencies of the University.
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• • The President brings the ability to ensure efficient operations throughout the organization while fostering growth in enrollment, increasing research, creative and scholarly activity, and preserving high academic standards for undergraduate and graduate students.
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• • The President brings a strong understanding of the workings of a large university system, along with knowledge of and/or experience with the business operations of large and comprehensive organizations.
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• • The President should hold an exemplary record of scholarly, professional, and individual achievement.
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• • The President will have a proven ability to develop, advance and fortify alliances with business, industry, government, academia and community groups.
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• • The President should have an understanding of the governmental process and possess the skills to ensure that legislative goals on the state and federal levels are identified and met.
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• • The President will ensure that the University is a leader in regional economic development and will help to establish, direct, and maintain excellent community relations.
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• • The President will possess excellent presentation, negotiation, verbal, written, and multimodal communication skills to clearly and succinctly articulate the Texas Tech mission and vision to internal and external constituencies.
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• • The President will demonstrate a commitment to the concept of a student-centered institution, with a strong student orientation and a dedication to preparing students for success in a global environment.
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• • The President will demonstrate support and leadership in Texas Tech University’s goal to reach Tier One and AAU status.
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• • The President will understand the importance of faculty to the University’s current and future success, bringing the skill to position the university to continue its successes in academic program development and national prominence.
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• • The President will strategize to foster growth in student enrollment, student retention rates, academic programs, and elevation of the academic profile of incoming students.
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• • The President will demonstrate a terminal professional degree or earned doctorate, along with an appropriate blend of experiences including demonstrated record of executive/academic leadership at the highest levels. 

Desired Leadership Attributes

Those human traits and abilities that are key to the success of the President

The President will:

• • Be ethical, humble, transparent, forthright and approachable.
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• • Be a consensus builder who seeks collective wisdom and input.
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• • Be a facilitator with outstanding diplomatic and mentoring abilities.
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• • Possess the confidence and charisma to inspire others to “buy in” to the vision for the University.
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• • Bring the instinct to be politically astute, yet not political.
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• • Have the insight and leadership courage to make sound judgments in a complex environment.
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• • Possess executive presence, gravitas and influence.
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• • Bring the relational skills to constructively engage the Chancellor and Board of Regents with mutual respect.
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• • Challenge the organization to excel and innovate, bringing the persistence to lead the University to achieve excellent results even when faced with obstacles.
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• • Possess the ability to bring together diverse constituencies under a common mission and purpose, and to promote an environment of shared decision-making.
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• • Be a person with a strong moral compass, unquestioned integrity and high ethical standards.
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• • Bring a passion for knowledge and a commitment to higher education and students.
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• • Possess social skills and the willingness to spend time engaging with multiple stakeholders and hosting and attending social events and important gatherings.

Key Attractors

Key points the organization believes will be strong attractors to top candidates

• • This is a career-defining opportunity to serve as Chief Executive Officer for a financially sound, nationally prominent higher education institution and to help position Texas Tech University among the nation’s preeminent universities.
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• • The President will enjoy one of the most important and respected leadership roles in Texas, providing executive leadership and serving among a select, influential group of executives that lead higher education in one of the nation’s fastest growing states.
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• • Here the Board, Chancellor, Texas Tech University System and University administration and faculty all share a common vision and there is a clear pathway and distinct opportunity for the chosen President to lead Texas Tech University to the next level – achieving national research/Tier One status and placing Texas Tech University in the company of the best institutions of higher education in the United States.
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• • The President will discover an environment where professional satisfaction and career achievement are paired with optimal quality of life in the economic, education, and health care hub of the thriving South Plains area, in a temperate climate that encourages year-round outdoor recreation within a tradition of relaxed hospitality. This region represents the foremost center of education and healthcare, including a nationally ranked public high school – home to the only International Baccalaureate (IB) program in the region and recognized for three consecutive years by Newsweek as one of the top public high schools in the nation.  Family members of all ages will find here the elements that contribute to a safe and enjoyable lifestyle. A thriving economy (the 12th best place in the country to start a small business according to CNN.com), a caring community, a renowned public university, championship collegiate athletics, and excellent public and private school options reflect the values of a family-focused community. This is a community that celebrates tradition while looking to the future and a city that prides itself on recognizing diversity, intensifying economic growth, and enjoying every cultural opportunity. 

Texas Tech University System will not discriminate in its employment practices because of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected category, class or characteristic.

 

Send your resume, cover letter, current bio/profile, to:  

• Email:  PresidentTTU@WhelessPartners.com

For more information or to discuss this position, contact:

• Mike J.R. Wheless, Managing Partner & Division President
• Lisa J. Marks, Managing Director & Chief Operations Officer
• Florene Stawowy, Senior Search Consultant
• Phone:  941.240.8847