Associate Director, Center for Academic Excellence
LOCATION:
Center for Academic Excellence, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD
APPLICATION TIMELINE:
This position does not have a specific application deadline. Review of applications will begin on July 6, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.
ABOUT THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY:
The United States Naval Academy is a unique institution of higher learning located in beautiful downtown Annapolis, Maryland. As a service academy and premier undergraduate college, the United States Naval Academy has its own distinctive niche amongst American higher education institutions. Our talented faculty and staff are united by a common purpose--to develop the next generation of officers to be exceptional leaders in our naval service.
Every year more than one million people tour "the Yard" to experience what our employees already know — the United States Naval Academy is a special place, with a special purpose. Employees will find challenging and rewarding work; state-of-the-art facilities which inspire academic and athletic excellence; the benefits of Federal employment; and exceptional quality-of-life.
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
The Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) invites applications for an Associate Director to begin as early as Fall 2026. The Associate Director serves under the direction of the Director and helps lead the day-to-day operations of the CAE. This role is responsible for coordinating academic support services, managing programs and staff, and ensuring students are receiving consistent, high-quality support.
The Associate Director supports the strategic plan and mission of the center by overseeing operations, supporting program growth, building relationships across the Yard, and ensuring CAE services remain visible, responsive, and impactful for the Brigade.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Supervise and lead the CAE full-time staff
- Oversee day-to-day operations of the CAE
- Manage staff schedules and coverage
- Design and manage class, review, and exam support schedules
- Lead visibility and promotion of CAE services
- Develop communication strategies to engage the Brigade and faculty
- Ensure messaging is consistent and aligned
- Collect and oversee data tracking and program assessment
- Use data to inform decisions and improvements
- Assist with budget management
- Represent the Director as needed
- Build relationships across the Yard to support CAE initiatives
This is an onsite, gift funded, federal excepted service position with full benefits. This position will have an initial 3-year appointment with the anticipation of renewal based on the availability of gift funds and performance in the position.
Salary Details:
- Pay Band: AD-01 - Classification 12
- Approximate Starting Salary Range: $75,000 – $105,000 annually
- Final Salary Will be determined based on:
- Experience and qualifications of the selected candidate
- Availability of funds from a gift fund (i.e., the position is supported by a designated or restricted funding source)
MINIMUM AND PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Required Minimum Qualifications (required prior to start date):
- Master’s Degree or higher
- Minimum of three years of experience supervising staff
- Minimum two years of experience in student support services. Examples of services provided by CAE (Tutoring, Peer Mentoring, Academic Coaching, Teaching, Student Support Services)
Additional Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience coordinating programs, schedules, operations, or student support initiatives
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to engage with students, faculty, and institutional stakeholders
- Experience using data, assessment, or reporting tools to evaluate program effectiveness
- Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, student-centered environment
- Outstanding written and oral communication skills, strengths in interpersonal relationship building and fostering collaborative communities
- Ability to work independently, responsive to emergent situations and needs, flexible in thought and action, and appreciative of innovation and creativity
FINAL SELECTION FOR POSITION WILL BASED ON THE FOLLOWING ASSESSMENTS:
- Virtual Interview
- Executive level interview
- On campus interviews
- Reference Checks
HOW TO APPLY FOR POSITION:
Interested candidates should send an application package to the Search Committee, at searchcae2026associate-group@usna.edu.
Application Packages need to contain:- Cover letter
- Please clearly indicate your status as a U.S. citizen in the cover letter, as this is required for the position.
- 2 - page resume (we can only accept resumes up to two pages in length)
- This document must be sufficient on its own to assess whether the candidate meets all “Required Minimum Qualifications.”
- Indicate any and all federal service, including if you are a retired federal civilian employee.
- Contact information for three professional references
Candidates should also submit a response to the narrative questions found here. Please note you will need to include the announcement number listed at the bottom of this announcement.
Please note: This position does not have a specific application deadline. Review of applications will begin in July 6, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
- U.S. Citizenship Required
- Two-year trial period will typically be required
- All Civilian Positions at USNA are subject to a background investigation. These investigations are conducted to ensure that individuals hired are trustworthy, of good conduct, and reliable. The selected candidate will be subject to a security investigation leading to successful completion of a background investigation with a favorable adjudication. The selectee's failure to meet this requirement will be grounds for termination. More information about the background investigation process can be found at the Academic Dean and Provost’s website here https://www.usna.edu/Academics/Faculty-Information/Background-Investigation-Info.php.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
NOTICE TO VETERANS: This is a Title 10 excepted service position and is not subject to the Title 5 veterans’ preference provisions. While there is no formal rating system for applying veterans’ preference within the Title 10 excepted service, the Department of War considers veterans’ status a positive factor in all stages of the hiring process. Veterans are encouraged to clearly indicate their status in their cover letter or elsewhere in their application materials. Please do not submit official documentation (e.g., DD-214) or any personally identifiable information at this time.
NOTICE TO CURRENT ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: Separating service members will be eligible for employment to an excepted service position within 120 days of discharge given a Statement of Service can be provided. If selected, you will be required to submit a Statement of Service indicating your branch of service, rate/rank, all dates of service, your expected date of discharge and anticipated character of service (Honorable, General, etc.) The statement of service must be printed on command letterhead and signed by your command.
NOTICE TO RETIRING MILITARY: Retired service members cannot be appointed to DOD civilian positions within 180 days of retiring. As such, they must observe a 180 day waiting period starting from their date of retirement. USNA does not waive this waiting period requirement for excepted service positions.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
The Department of the Navy provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. Applicants with disabilities who believe they require reasonable accommodation should contact our Human Resource Office to ensure that the Department of the Navy can consider such requests. The decision to grant an accommodation will be made on a case by case basis.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Announcement: CAE-2026-2
The U.S. Naval Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer
