Who we are

RPI holds an important place in history as the first and longest-running technical university in the United States. Guided by the vision of our founder—“educating the sons and daughters of farmers … and instructing persons, who may choose to apply themselves, in the application of science to the common purposes of life” —we have consistently pushed boundaries and embraced the transformative power of knowledge.

By 2034, RPI will be ranked as the premier science and engineering university recognized for its robust community of learning at the confluence of creativity, science, and technology in service to society’s greatest challenges. The development of our 10-year vision was an inclusive and rigorous process, involving diverse perspectives across our community including faculty, staff, the alumni, and the Board of Trustees. Together, we explored emerging challenges and aligned around shared priorities for the future.

At RPI, our DNA is one of groundbreaking innovation, bold ideas, and enduring impact. In 2024, we celebrated our 200th anniversary – a milestone that not only honored our storied past but also reaffirmed our commitment to shaping the future. Now, as we embark on our third century, we stand ready to redefine what it means to lead in higher education.

Today, we face a world more interconnected, complex, and dynamic than ever before. It is our moment to reimagine this vision for today’s and tomorrow’s world and to seize the opportunity to create and sustain a culture of research and a curiosity-driven community of learning, respect, inclusivity, and inquiry. 

Our new strategic plan, RPI Forward, charts a pioneering course for the next era of RPI. We will break down traditional silos, rethink outdated binaries—research versus teaching, educating versus learning, and arts versus science—and forge a new polytechnic model. This vision will adapt to the evolving needs of the 21st century and set a standard that others will aspire to follow.
 

• Guiding Principles
• Core Values
• 10-Year Strategy
• Five-Year Roadmap

Institute Leadership

Martin A. Schmidt, the 19^th President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, took office on July 1, 2022. Prior to coming to RPI, President Schmidt served as the provost of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) since 2014 and was also MIT's senior academic and budget officer. He was responsible for the Institute’s educational programs, as well as for the recruitment, promotion, and tenure of faculty. As provost, he worked closely with MIT’s deans to establish academic priorities, and with other members of the Institute’s senior team to manage financial planning and research support

RPI mission and Quick facts

RPI, founded in 1824 for the application of science to the common purposes of life, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is the first technological research university in the United States. Today, it is recognized as a premier university, noted for its robust and holistic learning community that connects creativity with science and technology. RPI is dedicated to inventing for the future, from shaping the scientists, engineers, technologists, architects, and entrepreneurs who will define what’s next for humanity, to research that bridges disciplines to solve the world's toughest problems.

• 7,064 enrolled students (academic year ’22-’23; 5,823 undergraduates; 1,164 graduates)
• Approx. 470 FTE faculty
• Operating budget: approx. $442M
• Offer more than 140 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across five schools as well as programs and certificates for working professionals

For more information about RPI visit www.rpi.edu.

View RPI’s College Tour video at https://youtu.be/z0R8weH8yDk

Position Profile

Key Relationships

Reports to: President

Reporting functions:

• Administrative Services (which comprises Environmental Health and Safety, Public Safety,
• Real Estate and Facilities Management)
• Information Technology
• Human Resources

Other key relationships:

• Board of Trustees
• Other members of the President’s Cabinet
• Academic and Student Leadership
• Office of Research
• External stakeholders (local community/government leaders and industry leaders)

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic planning and execution. In conjunction with the president and rest of university leadership, shapes the development and review of long-term organizational plans and other operational requirements in the realm of technology, people and risk.
• Administrative oversight.  Oversees administrative services (which comprises environmental health and safety, facilities management, public safety), information technology, and human resources.
• Operational excellence. Promotes and leads an environment that continually seeks effectiveness, efficiency, quality and focus on all operations and support functions.
• Culture. Works collaboratively to ensure that RPI is forward-looking as it anticipates emerging issues, champion initiatives and pursues operational excellence. Provides leadership that encourages transparency, mutual respect and open debate.
• Performance evaluation and Communication. Establishes metrics and benchmarks to assess administrative performance and communicates transparently with stakeholders to foster trust and confidence.

Ideal Experience 

• Senior Leadership and Organizational Management
  Over 15 years of experience providing leadership and serving as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and stakeholders in a complex, multi-faceted organization, preferably within higher education and/or the nonprofit or public sector.
• Change Orientation
  Demonstrated success in leading a significant organizational transformation that required influence and change management.  
• Operational Excellence and Innovation
  Demonstrated success in overseeing organizational operations, driving performance improvements, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, efficiency and innovation.
• Team leadership and Constituent Management
  Experience in leading a diverse team across multiple functional areas and proven track record of fostering a high-performing workforce.

Critical Leadership Capabilities

Leading Change

• Design and implement effective change management plans to support organizational transformation, including modernizing processes and systems, and ensuring adoption of these new initiatives.
• Take personal ownership for advancing significant organizational and technology change and communicate a new direction or change with a clear rationale and/or sense of urgency.
• Collaborate with University leadership and key stakeholders to identify impacts of change and develop strategies to gain alignment, manage expectations, and secure buy-in.
• Foster a culture that embraces change by championing innovation, encouraging feedback, and supporting continuous improvement across teams.

Collaborating and Influencing

• Achieve trusted colleague and advisor status with academic and administrative leadership across the University.
• Engage others in open dialogue and adapt influence approach to different stakeholders in ways that address their interests or concerns.
• Ensure interdepartmental collaboration and partnership to streamline workflows and enhance operational efficiencies.
• Represent the University to external stakeholders, including industry and community leaders.

Operational and Strategic Leadership

• Collaborate closely with University leadership on the execution and implementation of a strategic plan.
• Guide change management initiatives, driving innovation to achieve greater operational efficiencies and sustainable growth.
• Develop and implement long-term strategies for administrative functions, including administrative services (environmental health and safety, facilities management, public safety), information technology, and human resources.
• Establish metrics and benchmarks to track the progress and effectiveness of change initiatives through feedback and reporting, adjusting strategies as needed to ensure successful outcomes.

OTHER PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• An exceptional influencer.
• Growth mindset.
• Highly analytical.
• Energetic, forward-thinking, and creative.
• Trustworthy with high ethical standards.
• Experience serving in a mentor capacity.

Driving

Incidental driving possible, but not required

Starting Salary/Rate

Expected hiring range: $400,000 - $450,000

Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.

The Search Process

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is assisted in this process by Spencer Stuart. The search committee welcomes comments, nominations, or expressions of interest; to contact the committee, please send an email with any supporting materials to the confidential email address RPICAO@SpencerStuart.com.

Total Compensation and Benefits Information

Rensselaer’s Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources (rpi.edu).