Provost

The U.S. Naval War College invites applications and nominations of qualified candidates for the position of Provost to commence the appointment no later than 27 July 2026.

The Institutional Setting :   The Naval War College (NWC) is first and foremost a federally-funded graduate level Professional Military Education and research institution serving the U.S. Navy, the Department of War, and the Nation.  Since its founding in 1884 by Rear Admiral Stephen B. Luce, the NWC has been “…a place of original research on all questions relating to war and to statesmanship connected with war, or the prevention of war.”  Annually the NWC  conducts six resident professional military education programs for more than 500 students.  The student body consists of members of all the military services, civilians from governmental agencies, and officers from many partner nations.  The NWC is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) to award a Master of Arts Degree in National Security & Strategic Studies or Defense & Strategic Studies, and by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to award Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase I and Phase II credit.  The College of Distance Education (CDE) conducts non-resident programs reaching more than 1,000 students annually, providing JPME I to sailors stationed around the globe.  The NWC’s Center for Naval Warfare Studies (CNWS) serves as the research arm of the College, providing maritime-focused war gaming and strategic research with the goal of assisting the Navy’s leadership in defining the future Navy.  Since 1956 the NWC has maintained a vigorous international program through the Naval Command and Naval Staff Colleges.  With more than 55 countries represented each year, a majority of our international graduates go on to achieve the rank of admiral or general in their Service and many become chiefs of their Navy, Coast Guard, or military.  The College of Maritime Operational Warfare (CMOW) provides intermediate- and senior-level leadership development and combat readiness programs.  Its curriculum centers on the ever-evolving ethical, operational, and tactical challenges facing today’s naval officers.  CMOW assists the Navy in maintaining Fleet operational readiness.  The College of Leadership and Ethics (CLE) is responsible for leader development and associated strategies for U.S. Navy flag officers delivering courses and tailored activities.  CLE also supports 17 Navy communities in the development and execution of their respective leader development strategies through the Navy’s Leader Development Continuum.  As part of the core curriculum, resident students will take the Leadership in the Profession of Arms (LPA) course.  The primary objective of the LPA course is to provide a developmental experience through a self-learning journey that combines educational rigor and professional relevance.  We are actively seeking candidates with varied academic and professional backgrounds.  More information on the NWC can be found at www.usnwc.edu .

The Position :    The Provost serves as the Senior Vice President, Dean of Faculty, and Chief Academic Officer of the NWC, and is the principal civilian deputy to the President, U.S. Naval War College (PNWC).  Except for those tasks that must be executed by an active-duty officer as a matter of law and / or policy, the Provost assumes the responsibilities of the PNWC in their absence.  Key responsibilities include :

• Exercising effective oversight and coordination of the accomplishment of the NWC’s functions of professional military education; research, analysis, and gaming; leadership; maritime operational level education; and international programs.
• Serving as Dean of Faculty and principal advisor to the PNWC on matters pertaining to the recruiting, development, evaluation, promotion, and discipline of civilian faculty members.
• Overseeing the talent management strategy for the faculty and academic support functions.
• Providing effective oversight of the development, deployment, and maintenance of the NWC’s Strategic Planning Framework, in coordination with the Chief Operating Officer (COO) to accomplish the NWC’s mission, functions, and tasks. This shall include but is not limited to the NWC’s Strategic Plan, Physical Resource Strategy, Technology Investment Strategy, Financial Resources Strategy, Human Resources Strategy, and Strategic Communication Plan.
• Reviewing the business operations and financial position of the NWC, and providing input on these matters to the PNWC, COO, and Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
• Reviewing and coordinating with the COO and CFO to prepare the NWC’s annual budget and participation in the Navy’s Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution process.
• As the Senior Civilian at the NWC, the Provost is delegated responsibility for approving all civilian personnel actions, which include, but is not limited to, new hires, renewals, promotions, reassignments, details, pay matters, formal disciplinary action, reductions in grade, adjudicating administrative grievances, and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) resolution.
• The following positions report to the Provost : all Deans, Associate Provosts, and the Director of Alumni Affairs.

Required Qualifications and Competencies :   The NWC seeks candidates who are successful, proven leaders in the academic world.  Candidates must be qualified to hold the appointment of Professor.  Graduate degree required; an earned terminal degree (e.g., Ph.D., Ed.D.) is desired, but candidates with comparable executive-level experience successfully leading large organizations will be considered, particularly in professional military education settings or within government as flag officers, general officers, or members of the senior executive service, senior foreign service, or senior intelligence service.  The ideal candidate should have a strong background in teaching, experience with academic institutions, the ability to lead and manage a varied group of faculty and staff, financial and managerial competence, and an understanding of the unique niche the NWC occupies for the Navy and the Department of War.  The ideal candidate will enable a collaborative executive leadership team that supports a vibrant community in their pursuit of excellence in education, research, and outreach.  Candidates must be U.S. citizens and capable of obtaining a Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS / SCI) security clearance.  The selected candidate will be subject to a pre-employment drug screening test and to random drug testing thereafter.

Appointment and Compensation :  This appointment is governed by provisions of 10 USC § 8748 as delegated by the Secretary of the Navy, and the regulations of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management that apply to “Excepted” appointments under Schedule A.  This is a term-limited appointment.  For the successful candidate, the initial term of appointment is expected to be four years in length with provisions for renewal dependent on level of performance.  The entire term of the Provost cannot exceed eight years.  This is not a remote work position.  Telework eligibility is limited and will be determined by the agency policy in accordance with Presidential Memorandum “Return to In-Person Work” of January 20, 2025, and Department of Defense implementation guidance.   Salary is competitive and is accompanied by a generous federal employee benefits package that includes health insurance with employer contribution, retirement savings plan, paid vacation and sick leave, and other benefits.  Salary is commensurate with experience and credentials in accordance with the Department of the Navy Faculty Schedule.  Expected start date is no later than 27 July 2026 at the College’s campus in Newport, RI.

Application Process :  The application package should include a cover letter; 2-page resume; and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three professional references.  Supplemental materials such as a detailed curriculum vitae (CV) may also be included.  Candidates desiring to apply for this important position should send their application package by email to :   nwc-26-01@usnwc.edu and must reference VA#NWC-26-01.  Applications will be accepted until 11 : 59 pm (EST) 29 December 2025.

Questions about the position or the institution should be directed via email to Dr. Thomas J. Gibbons, gibbonst@usnwc.edu.

NOTICE OF VETERANS PREFERENCE :   There is no formal rating system for applying veterans’ preference to the excepted service; however, the Department of War considers veterans’ preference eligibility a positive factor for hiring.  Applicants eligible for veterans’ preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume / CV and attach supporting documentation (DD Form 214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty") to their submission.  Although the point-preference system is not used, applicants eligible to claim 10-Point preference must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference," and supporting documents of the claimed disability (e.g., disability letter from the VA).  The SF 15, which lists the types of 10-Point Preference and the required supporting documents, is available from the Office of Personnel Management Website at www.opm.gov .

Within the Department of War, the appointment of retired military members within 180 days immediately following retirement date to a civilian position is subject to the provisions of 5 United States Code 3326.  Active-duty members must submit a statement of service with their application.

The U.S. Naval War College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.