Academic Career & Executive Search

About Us

Leadership. Impact.

Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) is exclusively dedicated to higher education institutions. Recognizing the unique challenges of the education landscape, our flexible, flat fee search services cater to any budget level, without compromising on quality. Backed by a team of strong researchers, we take pride in generating robust and diverse candidate pools, ensuring the best-fit talent for every position. We possess an unparalleled ability to reach passive candidates, granting you access to hidden talent gems. We are skilled in filling even the most challenging and niche academic, leadership, and senior staff positions.

Our customer-centric approach sets us apart as our highly responsive team consistently ensures a seamless and efficient recruitment process, tailored to your specific needs. Our clients include 4-year universities, 2-year colleges, public and private institutions, R1 research universities, and liberal arts colleges.

Achievements

Academic Career & Executive Search

Our Team

5

The success of our team is a customer-centric approach and dedication to providing an exceptional search experience by delivering premium services, solutions, candidate pools, and search success.

Academic Career & Executive Search

Solutions And Expertise

We offer multiple levels of search services designed to meet your needs and budgets, giving you affordable options for every position level from faculty to senior administration.

We offer a fixed fee rather than a sliding scale or percentage of salary. Eliminated are additional monthly, research, administrative, or hourly/per diem fees, assuring stable fees over a search’s duration.

Enhanced Search:

Our most comprehensive level of service. We are involved in every step of the process from candidate profile development to final reference checks. Four levels of vetting include candidate review, social media and Google background check, candidate questionnaire and prescreen phone interview. Interview coordination and reference checks included. Placement guarantee included.

Full Search:

A slightly more economical search service including all items in the Enhanced Search including the four levels of vetting (candidate review, social media and Google check, candidate questionnaire and prescreen phone interview). Interview coordination and reference checks not included. Placement guarantee included.

Candidate Generator:

Our most economical level provides all stages included in the initial work to build the candidate pool. It includes three of the four levels of vetting (candidate review, social media and Google check, candidate questionnaire) including salary verification. Search committees review qualified candidates, conduct video interviews, identify finalists, and make the hire. Prescreen phone interview and written narrative, reference checks or interview coordination not included. Placement guarantee not included.

Faculty Hire:

Developed specifically for single or multi-hire faculty searches and offers the ability to hire multiple faculty from a single search effort. This level provides all stages included in the initial work to build the candidate pool and two of the four levels of vetting (candidate review, social media and Google check along with salary verification. Search committees review qualified candidates, conduct video interviews, identify finalists, and make the hire. ACES maintains weekly progress meetings throughout the search process. Candidate questionnaire, prescreen phone interview and written narrative, reference checks or interview coordination not included. Placement guarantee not included.

Solutions
  • Board Services
  • Career Services
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Executive Coaching
  • Executive Search
  • Interim
  • Leadership Develop.
  • On-Demand Recruiting
  • Onboarding
  • Recruitment Research

Academic Career & Executive Search

News Briefings

Academic Career & Executive Search Recruits CFO for the Cleveland Institute of Art

Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has assisted in the recruitment of Melanie Walker as vice president of business affairs and chief financial officer of the Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA). Jennifer Muller, managing partner, led the search. “We’re thrilled to welcome Melanie as CIA’s next vice president of business affairs and CFO,” said president and CEO

Academic Career & Executive Search Seeking Chief Information & Technology Officer for the Massachusetts College of Art and Design 

Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has been retained by the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) to lead in its search for a chief information and technology officer (CITO). Jennifer Muller, managing partner, is leading the assignment. The position offers an extraordinary platform to shape the college’s culture, strategy, and technology enterprise, positioning MassArt at the

Academic Career & Executive Search Assists Washtenaw Community College with the Recruitment of Chief Public Affairs Officer

Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has assisted in the recruitment of Amanda Holdsworth as chief public affairs officer of Washtenaw Community College (WCC) in Ann Arbor, MI. Jennifer Muller, managing partner, led the search. “Congratulations to Washtenaw Community College and Dr. Amanda Holdsworth on being chosen as the chief public affairs officer,” ACES said in a

Academic Career & Executive Search Tapped by the Cleveland Institute of Art to Recruit CFO

Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has been retained by the Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) to lead in its search for a new vice president for business affairs and CFO. Jennifer Muller, managing partner, is leading the search. Reporting to the president and CEO, the CFO provides strategic oversight of all financial operations, including the

Academic Career & Executive Search

Press Releases

Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) selected by Stephen F. Austin State University for Dean, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture Search

(April 17, 2026, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, has been selected to recruit the next Dean of the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture at Stephen F. Austin State University.  Jennifer Muller, Managing Partner, will be leading the search. The Arthur Temple College

Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) selected by Cleary University for Chief Financial Officer Search

(April 3, 2026, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, has been selected to recruit the next Chief Financial Officer at Cleary University.  Jennifer Muller, Managing Partner, will be leading the search. Reporting directly to President Alan Drimmer and serving as a key member of

Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) selected by The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing for Associate Dean for Simulation and Experiential Learning and Professor Search

(April 3, 2026, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, has been selected to recruit the next Associate Dean for Simulation and Experiential Learning and Professor at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing.  Jennifer Muller, Managing Partner, will be leading

Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) selected by University of Central Missouri for Associate Vice President of Human Resources Search

(February 20, 2026, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, has been selected to recruit the next Associate Vice President of Human Resources at the University of Central Missouri (UCM). Jennifer Muller, Managing Partner, will be leading the search. Reporting to the CFO and serving

Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) selected by University of Central Missouri for Associate Vice President for University Advancement Search

(February 20, 2026, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, has been selected to recruit the next Associate Vice President for University Advancement at the University of Central Missouri (UCM). Jennifer Muller, Managing Partner, will be leading the search. At a moment of sustained philanthropic

Academic Career & Executive Search

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