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.
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.
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.
Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has been retained by Central New Mexico Community College to lead in its search for a chief information officer. Jennifer Muller, managing partner, is leading the assignment. This role is designed for an experienced CIO with strong business acumen, who is ready to lead at scale, shape enterprise direction, and leave
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 (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 (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
(July 24, 2026, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, has been selected to recruit the next General Counsel for the Massachusetts Community Colleges. Jennifer Muller, Managing Partner, will be leading the search. The next General Counsel for the Massachusetts Community Colleges will lead a
(July 10, 2026, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, has been selected to recruit the next Chair for the Department of Management at Fort Hays State University. Jennifer Muller, Managing Partner, will be leading the search. The Chair for the Department of Management will work with faculty and college leadership to
(July 10, 2026, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, has been selected to recruit the next Vice President of Finance & Chief Financial Officer Search at Briar Cliff University. Jennifer Muller, Managing Partner, will be leading the search. Briar Cliff University seeks a strategic and entrepreneurial financial leader to serve as
(June 9, 2026, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Following a national search, Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, is pleased to announce the successful placement of Dr. Ismael E. Carreras, securing the role as Assistant Vice President for Institutional Research and Assessment at Massachusetts College of Art and Design
(June 9, 2026, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Following a national search, Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, is pleased to announce the successful placement of Amanda Duval-Norwood, securing the role as Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Amanda Duval-Norwood is a nationally experienced