JPCatholic is a mission-driven, 21st century university, committed to forming graduates to Impact Culture for Christ within the disciplines of the Creative Arts and Business Innovation. We are seeking a visionary and seasoned senior leader to serve as a Chief Academic Officer and ready to forge with us a fresh approach to academic innovation, growth, and strategic partnerships. Catholic higher education is in a time of unprecedented change, where societal and technological forces, such as AI challenge our business model and will radically change our curriculum.
The ideal candidate is that rare person, who is looking for a Christ-centered, purposeful, senior, strategic, and entrepreneurial opportunity, and are not seeking personal gain. This unique person will join our co-founder’s team and Board of Trustees. After a thorough due diligence, they will make a commitment to serve our mission and make an extraordinarily generous philanthropic gift, similar to our Founding President. They will derive deep fulfillment in crafting and executing strategies to propel JPCatholic into an ambitious era of mission-aligned innovation and growth, including the adaptation of rapidly emerging AI-driven technologies. This opportunity is NOT for individuals pursuing a traditional position in higher education.
The ideal candidate will have spent their career as a successful entrepreneur or senior corporate executive, where they gained significant financial independence. Higher education experience is not required of a candidate with a proven track record of successful executive experience. They will now have a deep sense of calling to serve Jesus and are seeking to a compelling “give back” and philanthropic opportunity in a stimulating and uplifting Christ-centered apostolate. They seek to use their finely honed skills in leadership, entrepreneurship, innovation, organizational growth and as a builder of dynamic strategic partnerships to serve the Lord.
- A profound, lived faith in Jesus Christ and His Catholic Church, seeking a culminating legacy role with transformative, Christ-centered purpose.
- Exceptional leadership experience in entrepreneurship, strategic innovation, and organizational growth, that you would like to apply within a deeply Catholic environment.
- A passionate, confident purpose-driven mindset, seeking intrinsic purpose beyond compensation — financial rewards—building on a distinguished career that has delivered substantial wealth, security, and independence.
- A resilient innovator, a natural mentor, and an empathetic connector, who builds trust effortlessly, thrives in ambiguity, transforms obstacles into possibilities, embraces strategic pivots, and balances mission priorities above mere metrics.
- A natural curiosity and keen interest in AI's transformative effects on creativity and innovation in the years ahead.
- A proven dedication to service, evidenced by prior board service, philanthropy, or volunteer leadership that reflects a genuine zeal for societal good.
The CAO will lead with visionary purpose, integrating faith, innovation, and service to advance JPCatholic’s mission of forming graduates to Impact Culture for Christ within the disciplines of the Creative Arts and Business Innovation. Primary responsibilities include:
- Strategic Visioning and Academic Leadership: Shape and implement long-term academic strategies that propel JPCatholic into a bold era of mission-driven innovation, expansion, and growth—encompassing leadership, entrepreneurship, organizational development, and dynamic partnerships. Collaborate with the co-founding team and trustees to refine current programs, design new high-impact initiatives, and integrate transformative technologies like AI, equipping graduates for success in rapidly evolving industries. Guide the 2032 Strategic Plan process to address enrollment trends, technological advancements, and shifting student needs, while driving sustainable strategies for institutional viability, enrollment growth, and student achievement.
- Program Delivery and Quality Assurance: Oversee the delivery and excellence of all degree programs, ensuring alignment with our Christ-centered mission to form graduates to Impact Culture for Christ in the creative arts and business. This includes curriculum design, program development, regulatory compliance with accreditors and agencies, and rigorous evaluation through assessments, ILO/PLO data analysis, student outcomes tracking, and the critical Program Review process.
- Faculty, Staff, and Talent Development: Build collaboration across faculty and administration; recruit, evaluate, and mentor diverse teams; and foster professional growth through training, research support, and a culture of innovation—drawing on your expertise in high-performing teams to nurture changemakers and maintain teaching excellence.
- Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Building: Forge strategic alliances with industry partners, academic consortia, philanthropists, corporations, and community leaders, leveraging your networks and negotiation skills to secure resources, amplify institutional reach, and enhance enrollment and retention efforts.
- Resource Stewardship and Sustainability: Ensure fiscal health through careful oversight of academic budgets, resource allocation for departments, labs, and libraries—balancing constraints with mission priorities—while promoting student success via policies on advising, diversity, and learning support.
- Impact Measurement, Storytelling, and Legacy Stewardship: Drive metrics-based evaluation of programs and outcomes, while crafting compelling narratives to inspire donors, stakeholders, and the community—ensuring every initiative resonates with purpose. Serve as a servant leader bridging current achievements to future aspirations, embodying resilient innovation to sustain organizational health and enduring legacy.
- Purposeful Leadership and Autonomy: The CAO role provides meaningful independence, influence, and profound fulfillment in a collaborative, Christ-centered Catholic institution—empowering you to craft faith-aligned initiatives alongside the co-founder leadership team and committed trustees.
- Enduring Legacy: An opportunity to forge a legacy of impact that resonates with your entrepreneurial or corporate successes, cultivating the Kingdom of God within this vibrant corner of His vineyard.
- Flexible remote/hybrid arrangements: The CAO will dedicate 60-70% of their time to visionary strategic leadership and 30-40% to practical program oversight with flexible remote/hybrid arrangements and minimal travel requirements.
If this purposeful “give back” and philanthropic pursuit resonates with you, submit your bio and a brief note on “why you” and “why now” to [email protected]. Applications reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, confidential inquiries welcome.
$0 – volunteers only need apply.
Send your resume/CV and a cover letter to Anna Velasco, Vice President of HR, at [email protected] or to: 220 W. Grand Ave, Escondido, CA 92025. In your cover letter, you should explicitly detail how you will support the mission of the University, why you are well suited for the position, and explain your competence and commitment. Your resume should detail your professional experience as it matches the position requirements described above. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Interviews and hiring dates are budget and student enrollment dependent. Please carefully read and understand our expectations with respect to fidelity to and respect for the teachings of the Catholic Church.
JPCatholic is committed to creating an atmosphere that values human diversity. Equal employment opportunities shall be afforded to all individuals with respect to compensation and privileges of employment, benefits, and separation, as well as all other terms and conditions of employment.
John Paul the Great Catholic University strives to hire and promote the best-qualified individuals, and background and reference checks are an important part of these processes. When a background or reference check is needed with respect to hiring or other employment decisions, JPCatholic conducts such checks in compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws. JPCatholic will make a conditional offer of employment prior to a background check being conducted. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the employment of a person who was conditionally offered the position.
