The Office of Academic Affairs, through its senior vice president, has primary responsibility for setting the academic focus for the University of Utah and directing and enhancing its mission, both at the undergraduate and graduate/professional levels. The office guides academic and long-range institutional planning, with oversight of academic faculty and staff, budget planning, enrollment management, information resources, and student admissions and retention.

The senior vice president of academic affairs—a position known as a provost at other universities—reports directly to the president as a member of the executive leadership team and actively participates in setting the strategic direction while aligning academic and budget priorities.