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INSTITUTIONAL POSITIONALITY & TRAJECTORY

Founded in 1866 by the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Edward Waters University is Florida’s first private institution of higher learning and the state’s first historically Black college or university (HBCU). Edward Waters University is a Christian, historically Black, urban liberal arts institution committed to offering high-quality academic programs that prepare students holistically to advance in a global society. Rooted in the enduring values of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the University fosters an environment that emphasizes intellectual growth, high moral character, and spiritual development. The University’s mission is to develop excellence in scholarship, research, and service, equipping students, particularly those from historically underserved and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, to contribute meaningfully to the betterment of humanity and to advance social and economic mobility.

Since 2018, under the visionary and purposeful leadership of President & CEO Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr., Edward Waters University has experienced a period of sustained institutional transformation marked by measurable growth and renewed prominence. The following institutional indicators reflect where EWU stands today and the trajectory on which the next EVP/COO will be asked to build:

Enrollment: Fall 2025 enrollment exceeded 1,200 students — a record high and the first time EWU has surpassed that threshold in more than 20 years, driven by sustained recruitment investment and a growing national reputation.

Accreditation: Full SACSCOC reaffirmation through 2035 with no recommendations — December 2025. The strongest possible outcome from the regional accreditor.

Athletics: NCAA Division II transition completed July 2024 after a three-year provisional period. On-campus football stadium completed August 2021. EWU is the only NCAA Division II HBCU in the State of Florida — a unique positioning that strengthens athletic recruitment and institutional identity in one of the nation's most competitive collegiate athletics markets.

National Rankings: U.S. News & World Report 2025 — #25 in Top Performers on Social Mobility; #47 in Regional Colleges South. Both reflect a sustained upward trajectory.

National Visibility: EDU Ledger (formerly Diverse: Issues in Higher Education) December 2025 cover story: "A University Transformed: How A. Zachary Faison Jr. Led Edward Waters from Survival to Excellence."

Instructional Investment: Instructional spending grew from $3.4M (FY23) to $4.9M (FY24) to $6.2M (FY25) — a near-doubling in two years, reflecting deliberate, mission-centered resource allocation.

Student Services Investment: Student services spending grew from $6.2M to $8.1M in FY25, reflecting expanded programming, advising, and support infrastructure aligned with enrollment growth.

Academic Program Expansion: EWU earned University status in 2021 with the launch of its first graduate program (100% Online MBA). Since 2018, the administration has doubled the total number of academic degree programs. Graduate fully on-line degree programs added include: M.S. in Cybersecurity MS-Cybersecurity), Master of Public Administration (MPA), and Master of Education Policy & Advocacy (MEPA). Undergraduate programs added include Social Work, Accounting, Public Health, Forensic Science, Sports Management, Computer & Information Science, and a 5-Year Nursing Pipeline Program (B.S. in Biology from EWU + BSN from the University of Florida).

Strategic Planning: EWU achieved 92% completion of its Eminence 2025 Strategic Plan and is now finalizing a new 10-Year University Strategic Plan — positioning the institution for its next chapter of sustained growth and mission advancement.

Financial Strength: Six consecutive years of net cash operating surplus, accompanied by multiple consecutive clean audits with unmodified opinions — a testament to disciplined financial stewardship and the institutional stability that underpins EWU's continued growth.

The EVP/COO will join EWU at a defining moment — when the foundation has been built, the trajectory is clear, and the work ahead is to sustain, scale, and accelerate.

POSITION SUMMARY & OVERVIEW

Under the demonstrably progressive leadership of President & CEO, Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr., Edward Waters University (EWU) seeks a highly accomplished and strategic Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer (EVP/COO) to serve as the University's chief operating executive and a principal member of the President's Executive Cabinet. Reporting directly to the President & CEO, the EVP/COO is responsible for the leadership, management, and performance of all non-academic administrative and operational functions of the University. In this capacity, the EVP/COO serves as the President's primary executive leader for non-academic related operations, ensuring disciplined implementation of strategic priorities, high performance across divisions, and enterprise alignment in direct support of the President’s vision.

The EVP/COO leads through a team of accomplished Vice Presidents and senior leaders who retain full responsibility for the day-to-day leadership and management of their respective divisions and staff. Responsibilities are executive in scope, emphasizing strategic direction, enterprise-wide performance oversight, and coordination across divisions rather than direct management of individual units.

Operating as a true chief operating executive, the EVP/COO ensures institutional alignment, drives accountability, and advances disciplined implementation at scale. As the University’s principal operational authority, the role converts presidential vision into clear priorities, measurable outcomes, and sustained institutional progress. Structured to elevate institutional capacity, the position brings unified operational leadership under a senior executive positioned to accelerate performance, strengthen a culture of accountability, and foster collaboration across the enterprise.

The University seeks a transformational leader who can operate with both strategic acuity and operational rigor—one who thrives in complex environments and is energized by the opportunity to build, align, and scale institutional excellence. In this capacity, the EVP/COO serves as a critical catalyst for advancing EWU’s strategic ambitions, enhancing administrative effectiveness, and expanding presidential capacity to deepen external engagement and resource development.

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE & AUTHORITY

Serving as the University’s chief operating executive, the EVP/COO exercises direct supervisory authority over Vice Presidents and senior administrative leaders responsible for the institution’s non-academic divisions. Oversight spans key enterprise functions, which may include, but are not limited to, finance, administration, and business innovation; student success and engagement; institutional effectiveness; campus operations and facilities management; enrollment management; intercollegiate athletics; and institutional advancement, development, marketing, and communications.

Within this scope, responsibility centers on driving accountability and advancing disciplined implementation of priorities across all assigned divisions. While Vice Presidents maintain responsibility for the day-to-day leadership and management of their respective units, executive oversight, strategic direction, and enterprise performance management reside with the EVP/COO.

Accountability extends to ensuring that institutional priorities across non-academic divisions are advanced in a timely and measurable manner, with a sustained focus on operational efficiency, financial performance, enrollment outcomes, and organizational effectiveness.

Direct leadership of the University’s advancement and development enterprise is also a core component of the role, encompassing the Division of Institutional Advancement, Development, Marketing, and Communications. In close partnership with development leadership staff, the EVP/COO strengthens advancement infrastructure, refines external engagement strategies, and drives coordinated institutional resource development efforts aligned with the University’s strategic priorities.

RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PROVOST & SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

The EVP/COO serves as a co-equal senior executive partner with the Provost & Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs (Provost), with each role maintaining distinct and complementary areas of institutional authority. The Provost & SVP for Academic Affairs retains full leadership and administrative authority over the University's academic enterprise, including all academic programs, faculty affairs, and instructional operations. The EVP/COO retains full leadership and administrative authority over all non-academic operations of the University.

Both the EVP/COO and the Provost report directly to the President & CEO and are jointly responsible for advancing institutional priorities through coordinated leadership, collaboration, and aligned execution across academic and administrative units.

While collaboration and alignment are expected, each leader operates with primary authority within their respective domain. In matters requiring alignment between academic and operational priorities, the EVP/COO and the Provost are expected to work collaboratively to develop unified recommendations. The President & CEO retains final decision-making authority if consensus cannot be reached.

PRESIDENTIAL AUTHORITY & DECISION MAKING

Ultimate authority for the University’s strategic direction, priorities, and major decisions resides exclusively with the President & CEO. The President & CEO retains final decision-making responsibility for all executive leadership appointments, as well as personnel actions at the administrative department head, director, and manager levels and above. Presidential authority also extends to institutional budget approvals, significant financial commitments and matters of institutional significance.

Working in close partnership with the Provost & SVP for Academic Affairs, the EVP/COO is charged with developing recommendations and advancing the President’s vision through effective coordination of day-to-day operations and enterprise-wide management. Responsibility centers on translating strategy into clear, actionable institutional outcomes.

Operating under delegated authority from the President, the EVP/COO leads and manages the University’s non-academic operations. All major strategic, financial, and personnel matters are elevated to the President & CEO for final review and approval, typically upon the recommendation of the EVP/COO and/or the Provost & SVP for Academic Affairs. Following Presidential approval, execution is conducted through the EVP/COO and/or the Provost & SVP for Academic Affairs, ensuring alignment between institutional strategy and operational implementation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Strategic & Executive Leadership

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for all non-academic administrative and operational functions of the University.

• Drive implementation of the President’s strategic agenda, ensuring alignment, accountability, and measurable outcomes.

Operational Oversight & Performance

• Directly supervise and manage Vice Presidents and senior administrative leaders across divisions, as assigned by the President.

• Lead efforts to enhance operational efficiency, organizational effectiveness, and cross-functional coordination.

• Ensure implementation of institutional policies, procedures, and standards.

Resource & Infrastructure Management

• Provide strategic oversight of institutional resources, including financial planning and alignment with university priorities.

• Oversee the University's advancement enterprise, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and resource development objectives.

• Strengthen institutional infrastructure, including systems, processes, and organizational design to support growth and sustainability.

External Engagement & Presidential Support

• Serve as a senior representative of the University in external engagements, including governmental, civic, and community relations, as appropriate.

• Support the President & CEO in advancing major institutional initiatives, partnerships, and strategic opportunities.

• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement across the organization.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

The ideal candidate will have the following professional qualifications and personal characteristics:

Alignment with President & CEO: Demonstrated ability to serve as a trusted executive partner to the President & CEO, with a clear commitment to advancing and executing the President's vision, priorities, and strategic direction. The successful candidate will exhibit strong institutional and leadership loyalty, ensuring that all actions, decisions, and communications reflect a cohesive executive leadership posture. This includes the ability to provide candid counsel, informed perspective, and independent analysis while maintaining full alignment with presidential leadership once decisions are made. The EVP/COO must possess the judgment and professional maturity to operate effectively with delegated authority while reinforcing the President's vision, leadership, and institutional priorities across all areas of responsibility. A high degree of emotional intelligence, discretion, and political acumen is essential, as is the ability to balance strong independent thinking with disciplined implementation and institutional commitment.

Alignment with institutional mission: A deep resonance and commitment to the mission of Edward Waters University and a demonstrated dedication to advancing student success, institutional operational excellence, and inclusive practices.

Executive Leadership: Proven experience serving in senior executive leadership roles within complex organizations, with demonstrated ability to lead through influence, drive organizational change, and manage high-performing teams. Readiness to be an active, valued member of the President’s leadership team and partner closely with university units and departments; honesty and integrity in advising the president on critical issues; proven effectiveness in change management; the ability to build consensus and a sense of teamwork.

Operational and Financial Acumen: Possess the capacity to lead and manage the complex interplay of various interdependent university divisions and units; demonstrated ability to optimize financial resources to ensure high quality outcomes; proven background in organizational management, financial oversight, and operational strategy, with the ability to align resources with institutional priorities and ensure long-term sustainability.

Strategic & Analytical Capability: Experience and a demonstrated ability to think strategically, analyze complex issues, leverage data for decision-making, and translate vision into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.

Technological sophistication: Demonstrated ability to assess the strategic value of emerging technologies and lead the identification, evaluation, and implementation of solutions that enhance process optimization, strengthen operational effectiveness, and drive enterprise-wide efficiency.

Interpersonal Effectiveness & Communication: Exceptional ability to communicate with clarity, precision, and persuasive impact across diverse audiences, including Cabinet colleagues and senior administrative leaders, as well as faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external partners. Demonstrates a collaborative orientation and a genuine commitment to engagement, building trust and aligning stakeholders to advance institutional priorities and collective progress.

Personal qualities: An organizational leader with peerless integrity and an ability to drive a vision through engagement, transparency, hard work, and a sense of urgency; strong values aligned with high ethics, collaboration, compassion, transparency; sound judgment backed by self-confidence and a sense of perspective; ability to work effectively in a campus culture that is relationship-oriented; and capacity to navigate a highly complex institution with political savvy, patience, tolerance for ambiguity, possess high professional dexterity sufficient to ably adapt in a dynamically changing fast paced work environment.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Terminal degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., J.D., or equivalent professional doctorate) from a regionally accredited institution, with a demonstrated record of academic rigor, institutional credibility, and professional distinction at the senior executive level.

• Minimum of seven years of senior executive or cabinet-level leadership experience in higher education or at a comparably complex organization, with broad responsibility across multiple functional areas or enterprise-level operations.

• Demonstrated ability to lead within complex organizational environments, including managing change, resolving high-level challenges, and overseeing large, diverse teams and functions.

• Proven experience operating in close partnership with a president/CEO and/or governing board, including exposure to executive decision-making, institutional strategy, and high-stakes organizational leadership.

• Demonstrated capacity to translate strategy into measurable outcomes, with experience driving accountability, performance, and results across multiple units or divisions.

• Willingness and ability to travel within the metropolitan Jacksonville area, the state of Florida, and nationally, with regular participation in evening and weekend engagements.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Extensive senior cabinet-level experience in higher education administration, particularly within institutions experiencing growth, transformation, or strategic repositioning.

• Demonstrated success leading institutional scaling efforts, including operational improvement, organizational alignment, or enterprise performance enhancement.

• Experience with or oversight of advancement, development, or external relations functions, including familiarity with fundraising strategy and institutional resource development.

• Experience in mission-driven, complex organizational environments requiring high levels of collaboration, adaptability, and stakeholder engagement.

Note: This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities required or assigned to an employee in this position.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Priority Deadline: May 10 - Final Deadline: June 1

Must be able to relocate and begin on-site by or before July 1st. Relocation assistance is available for the successful candidate. 

Please submit a letter of interest detailing relevant administrative experience, full contact information (name, phone number, and email) for four professional references, demonstrable examples of leadership acumen, and related skills, along with a comprehensive CV/resumé to complete your application. The email address to send CV/resumé and letter of interest is careers@ew.edu