St. Paul’s University is an ecumenical private chartered university founded in 1903. It is strategically located in the lush Kiambu County along Nairobi-Limuru Route A, 30kms from Nairobi, next to Jumuia Conference and Country Home with other campuses in Nairobi, Nakuru and Machakos. It is in a cool and serene environment that is very conducive for learning.
About the Role
Reporting to the University Council, the Vice Chancellor will serve as the institution’s strategic anchor— responsible for driving long-term direction, ensuring growth, operational excellence, and fostering a culture of integrity, innovation, and high performance. The successful candidate will champion institutional growth, strengthen academic quality, promote research output and enhance the University’s contribution to Kenya’s socioeconomic development. The role requires a leader who understands the unique dynamics of private Christian higher education and with the confidence to navigate complexity, the credibility to engage diverse stakeholders and the foresight to position the institution for sustainable growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Providing strategic leadership aligned with the University’s vision, mission, and core values;
- Strengthening the quality and integrity of academic programs, teaching, research, innovation and student outcomes;
- Strengthening industry-driven quality programs, employability initiatives, and market responsive curriculum development;
- Securing financial sustainability through effective resource allocation, risk management, income growth, resource mobilization and efficient utilization of University assets;
- Leading human resource development, including recruitment, talent management and performance management;
- Promoting a student-centered culture that enhances welfare, safety, and overall learning experience;
- Leading organizational transformation to increase student enrolment, enhance efficiency, digital capability, and service delivery;
- Building and maintaining strategic partnerships with industry, government, donors, and international institutions;
- Upholding good governance, ethical leadership, and institutional accountability;
- Serving as the Secretary to the University Council and its Committees, Chairing the Management Board, Senate and any other University Committee as may be provided in the Statutes.
Qualifications and Experience
The applicant must have the following qualifications and experience:
- Holder of an earned PhD from a recognized University, and should be a Professor with exemplary performance record;
- At least 10 years of senior academic and administrative experience, with proven track record in management of educational Institutions at least as a Deputy Vice-Chancellor of a University, or in other similar institutions at comparable level. Experience as a Dean / Principal of a college is an added advantage;
- Demonstrated strategic leadership with successful outcomes;
- Proven leadership in research, innovation, and academic governance;
- Distinguished academic and research record having published extensively in internationally recognized peer-reviewed journals and presented in international conferences;
- Proven experience in resource mobilization, financial management and institutional development;
- Demonstrated ability to network, fundraise, mobilize and attract resources, including research grants;
- A track record of leading transformation and delivering measurable results;
- A track record of strong ethical standards and commitment to good governance, with high moral character and integrity in accordance with chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 on integrity and leadership.
Key Competencies
We are seeking a leader who demonstrates:
- Strategic thinking and sound decision making;
- Strategic planning and execution;
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
- Ability to lead diverse teams and manage change;
- Financial and administrative acumen;
- Stakeholder engagement and partnership building;
- Commitment to quality, innovation, and student success;
- Commitment to academic excellence and institutional transformation;
- Integrity and sound emotional intelligence;
- Commitment to Christian principles and values.
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