Company
American College of Education (ACE.edu) is a fully online, tech-enabled institution of higher education specializing in highly affordable degrees, micro-credentials, and certificates in education, healthcare, nursing and business. The majority of ACE’s students are enrolled in Master’s and Doctoral programs, and in recent years Bachelor’s programs. ACE’s mission is to deliver high-quality, affordable, and accessible online programs grounded in evidence-based content and relevant application to prepare graduates to serve, lead, and achieve personal and professional goals in diverse, evolving communities.
An ACE education strives to empower students to advance professionally, grow as a leader, and enhance their skills without crippling student debt. Between 85-90% of ACE’s 7,000 current students and over 30,000 alumni have paid cash by the course as they advance through the program, most graduating without taking out student loans. This market leading affordability results in very high return of investment to ACE’s students who typically increase earnings with their credential. ACE accomplishes this through a focus on the Student Experience, allowing students to digitally access all course materials using their preferred device, without scheduled lecture times or requirements to go to a campus. The courses are taught by credentialed, recognized expert practitioners and respected instructors and are structured as stackable credit-bearing courses. Many single classes can be applied towards everything from a micro-credential to a certificate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree.
ACE is a leader in serving adult learners in the education and healthcare markets, accredited at the highest institutional and programmatic levels, and by choice does not participate in the federal government’s financial aid programs. Institutional accreditation is granted by the Higher Learning Commission, the same body that accredits many of the nation’s most prestigious and largest colleges and universities, and ACE has programmatic accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
ACE has a specific focus as a socially responsible institution to make an impact in the world that goes well beyond the bottom line. As a Certified B Corporation, the goal is to better serve students, alumni, faculty, employees and communities. ACE is certified by the nonprofit B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.
ACE is honored to be named a winner of the 2022 Top Workplaces USA award, issued by Energage, recognizing its commitment to providing a flexible, inclusive and innovative environment for all employees. ACE has also been ranked as one of the Best Places to Work in Indiana from 2017 – 2021 and earned the top spot in 2021.
The Investors
ACE’s owners, best described as mission oriented “patient capital,” consist primarily of a small group of prominent family offices assembled by non-fund sponsor Skyline Merchant Partners. ACE recently added minority strategic investor Learners Edge to deepen its presence serving America’s educators.
Skyline is a Dallas-based investment firm that sponsors innovative, growth-oriented companies in the K-12 and higher education markets by combining ideas and talent with a deep network of capital sources to enable rapid growth and value creation.
Opportunity
Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the President & CEO will be responsible for leveraging ACE’s outstanding record of student achievement and growth and its foundational capabilities into greater growth opportunities. The right leader will grow ACE through its workforce development potential in the education and healthcare markets. This includes expanding the reach and distribution of its programs, developing enterprise workforce solutions and micro credential strategies, all while increasing the operational excellence and scalability of the organization. The President & CEO will optimize existing B2C channels, protect and enhance the quality of ACE’s robust educational degrees and student experiences, as well as build out B2B and B2B2C solutions that address major workforce development opportunities such as teacher and nurse shortages.
Primary responsibilities:
- Increase enrollment by growing the addressable market and taking market share while meeting and exceeding all requirements of regulatory authorities including the Higher Learning Commission
- Develop B2B solutions, channels, and enterprise relationships
- Lead, nurture, and develop a high-performing executive team
- Work with the Board of Trustees on the strategic plan, operating plan, and annual budget
- Provide strategic leadership as it pertains to ensuring high levels of student success, market development, program development, strategic partnerships, and M&A
- Improve upon the already excellent foundational pillars
- Highest quality Student Outcomes
- Outstanding student experience
- Highly recognizable brand
- Organizational sustainability
- Meaningful social impact
- 80%+ completion rates
Ideal Candidate
You are an experienced, growth-oriented CEO/President/GM or COO who is ready to lead this institution through a period of dynamic market changes and opportunities. Your high energy level and stamina, along with your hands-on approach to execution and bias for action, enables you to motivate staff and effectively communicate with the Board, executive team, and employees. This role requires high ethical standards such as reliability, honesty, and dependability. These traits contribute to excellent judgement in making strategic and operational decisions based on data and analysis.
You should have the following experiences and skill sets:
- Knowledge of and experience with building and growing a company without sacrificing quality and excellent service
- Experience recruiting, hiring, mentoring, motivating, and coaching executives in all functional areas
- Success navigating political and/or regulatory environments
- Ability to manage and substantially grow a $50M+ revenue P&L using B2C, B2B, and B2B2C channels
- Positive track record growing revenue in an (preferably online) educational setting or experience scaling an EdTech company
- Previous experience working with companies owned by family offices or a financial sponsor a plus
- Previous experience and/or knowledge of, or domain expertise in higher education strongly preferred
Compensation
The compensation package includes a competitive base salary, an annual bonus program, participation in the management equity plan, 401(k), and group benefit plans.
Learn More
The Knowledge Leaders search process is thorough and may include: a written assessment, multiple interviews (recorded and in person), background and social media checks, employment and education verifications, a drug screen, and professional reference checking. After all, our mission is to transform education by recruiting the best world leaders.
Submit your resume to April Sarraille at Knowledge Leaders.
Knowledge Leaders, LLC provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and candidates for employment. Knowledge Leaders, LLC prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
