Vice President, Engineering

The Vice President of Engineering at Western Governors University holds a pivotal role, leading a global engineering organization focused on the development and delivery of our essential product platforms. This includes directly managing several Directors, implementing engineering best practices, and partnering with various departments to translate user needs into robust applications. Additionally, the VP will ensure effective cross-functional collaboration, uphold a culture of accountability, and mentor teams to achieve high performance.

To apply for the Vice President of Engineering position at Western Governors University, candidates should have 10+ years of engineering experience, including a minimum of 5 years in leadership roles within multi-team organizations. Experience in enterprise software delivery, SaaS architectures, and familiarity with agile methodologies is essential. A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent experience, is also required. We’re looking for leaders who thrive in complex, fast-paced environments.

At Western Governors University, diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral to our mission. The Vice President of Engineering is expected to champion these values by reflecting the diverse backgrounds of our student population within the engineering team. This involves creating inclusive environments, encouraging diverse perspectives, and ensuring equitable opportunities for all team members, thereby fostering a culture that supports innovation and collaboration.

The Vice President of Engineering at Western Governors University will tackle several key challenges, including improving the software delivery cadence by embedding lean practices and agile methodologies, building an engineering-first culture, and elevating tech excellence at scale. Additionally, the VP will need to inspire and mentor a mix of experienced and new Directors, ensuring that leadership is accessible and engaging.

The work culture for the Vice President of Engineering at Western Governors University is collaborative, mission-driven, and focused on innovation. With a commitment to high performance and accountability, WGU fosters an environment where leaders are expected to engage with their teams actively and inspire through example. Regular opportunities for cross-functional collaboration and a strong emphasis on diversity ensure that each member contributes to our shared goals of transforming education.

When answering this question, focus on your ability to inspire, mentor, and engage teams. Highlight examples of how you’ve fostered high performance and accountability in your past roles. Discuss your approach to building a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives are valued and how this contributes to overall success.

Provide a thoughtful response that includes specific strategies, such as adopting lean practices, improving agile processes, and enhancing team autonomy. Use examples from your past experiences where these strategies have been successful, and emphasize the importance of a culture that values urgency and ownership among teams.

This is your chance to express your conflict resolution strategies. Discuss the importance of open communication, empathy, and active listening. Provide examples of situations where you successfully navigated conflicts, leading to constructive outcomes that benefited the team and the project.

When responding, highlight your experience working with remote global teams and collaborating across different time zones. Discuss the tools and methodologies you utilize to maintain cohesion and productivity within distributed teams, emphasizing the significance of communication and engagement to ensure team alignment.

Choose an impactful project that required securing executive buy-in. Discuss how you presented data, articulated the benefits of the initiative, and addressed any concerns from the executives. Emphasize the importance of aligning the engineering initiative with overall business objectives and how you engaged stakeholders throughout the process.

Here, share your commitment to diversity and inclusion and discuss concrete steps you would take, such as implementing diverse hiring practices, promoting inclusive decision-making, and fostering an environment where all voices are heard. Use examples from your previous experiences where you've made a positive impact on workplace diversity.

Discuss current technology trends relevant to edtech, such as AI, machine learning, and personalized learning experiences. Provide insights on how these technologies can enhance student engagement and outcomes, and suggest ways WGU could integrate these trends into its engineering strategy.

In your response, emphasize the importance of clear communication of company goals and linking engineering projects directly to these objectives. Discuss regular check-ins, performance reviews, and the role of data in assessing team alignment and impact.

Identify key metrics such as delivery speed, quality of code, team satisfaction, and product impact on users. Explain why these metrics matter and how they can be leveraged to drive continuous improvement within the engineering teams.

Share your philosophy on mentorship and professional growth, emphasizing the need for tailored development plans for team members. Discuss how you would provide resources, training opportunities, and regular feedback to support your team's career aspirations.