provost
n. countablen. a high-ranking official in a university or church who is in charge of managing people and rules.
n. a high-ranking administrative officer in an academic or ecclesiastical institution, often serving as the chief academic officer or head of a cathedral chapter.
The provost announced the new budget for the university.
After the president resigned, the provost took over the daily management of the college's academic departments.
The provost is responsible for balancing the competing interests of various faculty departments while ensuring the institution maintains its rigorous accreditation standards.
From Middle English, from late Old English prōfost, prāfost, from Late Latin prōpositus, variant of Latin praepositus (“[one] placed in command”). In some senses, via Anglo-Norman provolt; via Anglo-Norman and Old French provost (modern French prévôt). As a Central European ecclesiastical office, via German Propst, Danish provst, etc.
In a university context, the title typically refers to the second-in-command after the president or chancellor.