Fulbright University Vietnam invites applications and nominations for the position of President.

About Fulbright University Vietnam

Fulbright University Vietnam (FUV) is a young Vietnamese university established in 2016 on the promise of Vietnamese-American partnership, serving Vietnam and the world through teaching, research, and engagement with society. Fulbright aspires to become an apex university that educates, innovates, and solves problems. We are committed to innovation over replication, a foundational principle that begins with our identity as a university rooted in and dedicated to contributing to Vietnamese society. To support us in our mission, we collaborate with the University of Texas System, the Harvard Kennedy School, Minerva Schools, the Olin College of Engineering, and Bard College.

Fulbright is a vibrant and growing academic institution of approximately 1,100 students, faculty, and staff. The university’s two flagship academic programs are the Fulbright School of Public Policy and Management, a graduate professional school offering full- and part-time masters programs and an array of research and executive education initiatives; and an undergraduate program in engineering and the liberal arts and sciences. Fulbright’s first undergraduate class will graduate in June 2023. 

The President is the chief executive officer of Fulbright University Vietnam, reporting to and working closely with the Board of Trustees. Internally, the President works collegially with a team of senior executives including the Provost and the Chief Operating Officer who report to the President with a dotted line to the board.

Desired Qualifications and Personal Qualities

In recruiting the second president in our history, Fulbright University Vietnam seeks a builder, not a manager. This is an opportunity for those who are passionate about institution building, who believe deeply in the transformative power of liberal education, and who relish working shoulder to shoulder with dedicated and committed colleagues and peers to build an institution that is poised to play a consequential role in Vietnamese society’s continued transformation and in the next chapter of US engagement with Vietnam and its region.

The ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal qualities:

• A commitment to Fulbright University Vietnam’s vision, values, and aspirations.
• Leadership experience and a successful track record at a college, university or similarly complex organization with multiple stakeholders. The ability to build, motivate, and lead high-performing teams. Strong financial and operational skills.
• A demonstrable track record of collaboration and consensus building, including the ability to work effectively with groups such as governing boards, faculties, students, and external stakeholders.
• While previous university administration experience is not required, a sophisticated understanding of the American liberal arts tradition and the values and objectives that inform this educational philosophy is essential.
• Successful fundraising experience, including the ability to persuasively encourage investment in support of bold new ventures.
• Exceptional communication and storytelling skills and an enthusiastic willingness to engage with internal and external constituencies in a wide range of settings.
• A track record of effective management in a setting characterized by multiple competing priorities and financial limitations.
• Unimpeachable integrity, humility, an indefatigable work ethic, and a sense of humor
• This position requires fulltime residency in Ho Chi Minh City with regular travel within Vietnam and abroad.

How to Apply

FUV will be supported in this appointment process by the executive search firm Perrett Laver. Applications for the role of President should include the following:

• a covering letter
• an up-to-date CV

To apply, or if you have Initial enquiries and requests for information, they may be directed in confidence to Mr Kieran Pollentine via this page. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates. Information provided will be treated in strict confidence and used only for recruitment purposes.

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