FINDING EXCEPTIONAL LEADERS TO SHAPE THE unc sYSTEM’S FUTURE

Higher education leadership requirements continue to evolve, but the need for great leaders at every level is constant. The UNC System Office offers executive search services to University of North Carolina System institutions and affiliates. Our goal is to source, identify, and attract highly qualified candidates to our campus partners. Our rigorous process and deep knowledge of the UNC System and higher education landscape allow us to partner with you to attract the best leaders for your unique organizational needs. Our team is dedicated to providing a full range of executive search services.

See open executive positions

Our Services

  • Consult with the hiring manager to organize, manage, and inform a customized executive search process
  • Offer advisement and counsel at each stage of the process from pre-posting to onboarding
  • Proactively recruit and source exceptionally qualified potential candidates for consideration
  • Ensure a confidential and compliant search process in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations, as well as university policies and procedures
  • Work in partnership with your search committee chair and hiring authority to ensure a successful leadership search

Why Choose us?

  • We are heavily invested in the success of the UNC System and our constituent institutions
  • We have the expertise to align institutional goals with the UNC System’s mission and strategic plan
  • We provide expert knowledge of UNC System policies and practices combined with a global reach
  • We balance confidentiality and shared governance
  • We bring both flexibility and customization to your search
  • Our fees are significantly lower than an external search firm
  • Our search consultants have years of talent acquisition and leadership development experience, and have filled hundreds of leadership positions with the public and private sector
  • We have a strong track record of success in our placements, completing over 80 executive searches within the UNC System for 16 constituent institutions and 3 affiliates, with a 96% retention rate

Current Searches

Chancellor
Elizabeth City State University

Provost
Winston-Salem State University

Director of Classification and Compensation
University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Director of Title IX
University of North Carolina at Pembroke

To see all open positions at UNC System Office and across our institutions, visit our Careers page.

Recent Placements

Heather Norris
Chancellor, Appalachian State University

Greg Diagonale
Associate VP for Retirement Plan Administration & Compliance, UNC System Office

Gina Rogers
Director of the Center for Leadership & Organizational Excellence, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

George Johnson
Chief of Policy, University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Jennifer Myers
Chief Audit Officer, UNC System Office

Bonita Brown
Chancellor, Winston-Salem State University

Karrie Dixon
Chancellor, North Carolina Central University

Yvonne Villanueva-Russell
Provost, University of North Carolina Asheville

Tamar Pandi
Chief Information Officer, University of North Carolina School of the Arts

Panda Powell
Executive Director of Contracts and Grants Accounting, Appalachian State University

Kimberly van Noort
Chancellor, University of North Carolina Asheville

Kory Kelly
Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications, University of North Carolina School of the Arts

Christine Reed Davis
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, University of North Carolina Wilmington

OUR TEAM

Lynn Duffy, ACC
Senior Associate Vice President of Leadership and Talent Development

lsduffy@northcarolina.edu | 919-962-3134

Scott Murray, SHRM-SCP
Director, Executive Search and Leadership Programs

sfmurray@northcarolina.edu | 919-843-5671

Marissa Grey, SHRM-CP
Talent Acquisition Consultant

mhgrey@northcarolina.edu | 919-962-4647

executive search and leadership development resources

The University of North Carolina System enrolls more than 240,000 students at 17 institutions, including the state’s 16 public universities and the nation’s first public residential high school for academically gifted students. The UNC System is among the strongest and most diverse higher education systems in the country, with more than $1.8 billion in research expenditures and campuses that serve every region of the state. Affiliate organizations include UNC Health and PBS North Carolina, with its 12-station broadcast network.

The University features equality of opportunity in education and employment as a core value. To support this value and to meet the University’s educational, research, and public-service goals in an increasingly diverse and global society, the University needs the talents and skills of all qualified and available individuals. 

The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.

The UNC System Office is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. To claim veteran’s preference, all eligible persons must indicate their eligibility as requested on the application. A DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, may be required later in the selection process.

The UNC System Office participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

The UNC System Office is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the selection process, please click here.