ASSISTANT DEAN JOB DESCRIPTION

Most institutions discover too late that student retention, faculty accountability, and accreditation standing all erode when no single leader holds the academic and student experience together at the operational level. That pressure point is where the Assistant Dean works. Carrying responsibility for functions ranging from enrollment policy to curriculum governance, this role answers directly to the dean while managing teams whose work determines whether degree programs meet regional accreditor standards and whether students from first-generation and international backgrounds reach graduation. Institutional policy compliance, including FERPA, honor code administration, and Title IX adjacencies, lives here.

As the Assistant Dean, you translate the dean's strategic priorities into measurable outcomes across academic programs, student success initiatives, and administrative operations, serving as the senior operational leader who holds faculty, staff, and cross-functional partners accountable to enrollment and accreditation benchmarks. You oversee a team of direct reports spanning enrollment services, student affairs, and academic program management, and you represent the dean's office on university-wide governance committees where school-level policy intersects with institutional standards.

Career Impact: Sustained experience at the Assistant Dean level is one of the clearest pathways to an Associate Dean or Dean role, and the cross-functional scope, spanning accreditation, faculty development, and student success, builds the portfolio that search committees at research-tier institutions look for.

Business Impact: The programs and oversight structures you put in place directly affect NCLEX pass rates, regional accreditor renewal outcomes, and the retention metrics that determine whether cohorts reach graduation at planned rates.

Growth Opportunity: Exposure to principal gift fundraising cycles, strategic planning processes, and DEI curriculum frameworks in a single seat expands your professional range well beyond what a single-function administrative role can offer, positioning you for broader institutional leadership.

• Lead strategic planning and operational execution for assigned academic or student experience programs, aligning unit goals with the institution's accreditation and enrollment objectives.
• Oversee accreditation compliance activities, including preparation of required state and board documentation, self-studies, and site visit coordination.
• Develop and implement student success frameworks covering advising, case management, crisis response, and emergency withdrawal processes.
• Direct faculty recruitment, orientation, professional development, and performance evaluation in coordination with human resources and senior academic leadership.
• Partner with the university registrar, advising offices, and enrollment services to resolve policy questions and implement process improvements affecting academic standing and graduation.
• Manage program budgets, resource allocation, and administrative staff, providing coaching, performance feedback, and developmental support to direct reports.
• Represent the dean's office on institutional committees related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, curriculum governance, and student conduct.
• Analyze enrollment, retention, and student outcome data to identify trends and present evidence-based recommendations to the dean and senior leadership.

• Master's degree in higher education administration, student affairs, public policy, education, or equivalent work experience.
• Six or more years of progressively responsible experience in academic administration, student success, or a closely related higher education function, with demonstrated supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of accreditation standards and compliance obligations, including regional or programmatic accrediting body requirements.
• Experience administering or overseeing student conduct processes, including honor code, FERPA compliance, or crisis case management.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence faculty, staff, and senior administrators without direct line authority.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, proposals, and policy documents for accrediting bodies or governing boards.
• Demonstrated experience applying data analysis to enrollment, retention, or academic outcome decisions.
• Experience with budget development, resource planning, and financial oversight within an institutional setting.

• Doctoral degree in education, higher education leadership, or a health profession field relevant to the program area.
• Experience as an assistant or associate dean, program director, or comparable senior administrative role at an accredited college or university.
• Background in diversity, equity, and inclusion program development, including curriculum design or faculty training in intercultural competency.
• Familiarity with fundraising strategy, alumni engagement, or major gift cultivation within a higher education advancement context.

• Student retention rate by cohort, measuring whether enrolled students persist to the following term and year.
• Accreditation compliance rate, tracking on-time submission and no-deficiency outcomes across required reports and site visits.
• NCLEX or licensure exam pass rate (for health profession programs), reflecting the quality of clinical preparation and curriculum alignment.
• Faculty observation cycle completion rate, indicating how consistently instructional quality review is conducted within the academic year.
• Scholarship award and disbursement accuracy rate, reflecting administrative precision in managing financial aid portfolios for enrolled students.
• Time-to-resolution for student conduct and case management referrals, measured from intake to documented outcome.
• Typical tools: student information systems (commonly Banner or PeopleSoft); case management platforms (commonly Maxient); learning management systems (commonly Canvas or Blackboard).

• Base Salary Range: $90,000 – $135,000 annually, depending on institution type and scope
• Bonus: Merit-based increases common; discretionary bonuses less typical in public higher education
• Equity: Not standard in higher education
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; robust plans typical at major research universities
• PTO: 15–25 days annually, plus institutional holidays and winter break closures
• Common Perks: Tuition remission for employee and dependents, retirement contributions (TIAA or state pension), and professional development funding

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Background check completion, including criminal history review and, where program-specific, drug screening, is a condition of employment. Work authorization in the United States is required; sponsorship availability varies by institution. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities are available throughout the application and employment process upon request.

The Assistant Dean leads strategic oversight of the student experience function, directing teams responsible for academic services, international student programs, and student organizations to align with institutional values and priorities. Reporting through university leadership, this role builds cross-departmental relationships and delivers developmental leadership to approximately 20 staff across three direct-report teams, enabling a cohesive and innovative student experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight and direction to groups comprising the student experience team.
• Empower team leaders to achieve goals in supporting students and continually innovating the student experience.
• Partner with internal communications and program directors to ensure consistent messaging across all student communications.
• Collaborate with non-academic student-facing departments to align events and activities across the student lifecycle.
• Ensure institutional values are consistently reflected in communications and all owned events and experiences.
• Develop an overarching framework to better align major student organizations with institutional priorities and values.
• Engage with student life offices to develop and implement a student code of conduct and associated processes.
• Work with faculty, staff, and leadership to deliver impactful leadership programming within the student experience.
• Provide strategic direction and leadership to all areas of international and affinity student experience.
• Ensure the international and affinity student experience team has proper resources, training, processes, and internal partnerships to manage major operations.
• Work closely with senior academic leadership on operational matters about the classroom and curriculum.
• Build strong working relationships with relevant university offices to align objectives and resources.
• Oversee strategies and tactics for recruitment, onboarding, student life, and career support for international students and identified student sub-segments.
• Provide strategic direction and leadership to all areas of academic experience.
• Ensure the academic services team has proper resources, training, processes, and internal partnerships to manage major operations.
• Build strong working relationships with the university registrar and key stakeholders to implement new systems and processes to better support the academic experience.
• Maintain accountability to the university registrar on policy compliance, major systems and process changes, and related topics.
• Oversee the operation of a cross-functional academic performance committee that reviews student academic performance and progress toward graduation.
• Manage institutional honor code processes in collaboration with student affairs.
• Provide developmental leadership to three direct reports and their teams totaling approximately 20 FTEs.

Required Qualifications

• MBA or advanced degree in management, student development, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of management experience.
• Work experience in an elite academic institution, human resources, or a related area.
• Ability to identify systemic connections across multiple functions.
• Stellar written and verbal communication skills.
• Exemplary interpersonal and listening skills, with a high degree of comfort influencing senior leaders, faculty, and students.
• Hands-on orientation in managing large-scale projects across multiple functions.
• Reasonable understanding of complex enterprise-wide processes and IT systems.

Embedded within a college nursing division, the Assistant Dean oversees all operational and academic dimensions of the nursing program, including curriculum development, faculty management, clinical site coordination, and regulatory compliance. Working closely with clinical faculty, agency representatives, human resources, and college leadership, this role ensures student success from admission through licensure and strengthens the program's relationships with external healthcare partners.

Core Functions

• Plan, develop, manage, update, and evaluate all aspects of the program, including budget, faculty and staff, curriculum development and implementation, and supplies and equipment.
• Ensure program compliance with board rules and regulations, including site visits, and serve as a student advocate.
• Prepare data and written materials for all required state and board requirements, including reports, proposals, self-studies, surveys, and site visits.
• Ensure all student and faculty records are initiated and maintained across all phases of student academic status.
• Work with human resources to maintain required documentation of faculty and staff qualifications.
• Assist with identifying and obtaining outside resources for the nursing program.
• Develop and implement program policies and procedures.
• Organize and serve on program committees and oversee the admission process and orientation.
• Serve as liaison between the community and the college.
• Develop and ensure that educational partnerships and contracts with clinical sites are initiated and maintained.
• Perform or delegate clinical site evaluations, including a thorough assessment of the agency's ability to provide clinical experience meeting course objectives, risk analysis, hazard and safety assessment, and evaluation of adequate staffing.
• Meet with clinical faculty or agency educational representatives to confirm student numbers, faculty assignments, dates, times, clinical rotations, and clinical objectives.
• Ensure evaluations by students, clinical site representatives, and faculty are completed at the end of each clinical rotation and provide summary reports to relevant leadership and the advisory committee.
• Participate in nursing faculty recruitment, hiring, and orientation, and ensure faculty meetings are conducted regularly with adequate records and minutes maintained.
• Participate in conflict resolution for faculty and students, and monitor quality of instruction through faculty and program review, evaluation, and strategic planning.
• Interact with other college entities as a representative of nursing interests, including counseling, registration, and financial aid, and provide advising and degree planning assistance to students.
• Ensure all students have completed required documentation and met graduation and licensing exam requirements, and monitor student performance, NCLEX licensing, and job placement rates.

Education & Experience

• Current RN license in the state where the campus is located.
• PhD from an accredited college or university, including coursework in nursing, education, or administration.
• Minimum of two years of experience in an administrative position.
• Minimum of two years of teaching experience in pre- or post-licensure nursing programs.
• At least two years of experience as a registered nurse providing direct patient care or equivalent experience as determined by the board.
• Experience in supervision, planning, and budget preparation and maintenance.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Commitment to diversity as defined by state law.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people and institutions.
• Leadership style that emphasizes collaboration, teamwork, and facilitation.
• Ability to utilize computer-based resources and demonstrated ability to build consensus.

Reporting to college leadership, the Assistant Dean shapes the college's DEI strategy by developing and implementing programs, policies, and curriculum that advance equity for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and underrepresented communities. Partnering with associate deans, the university's Office of Equity and Diversity, tribal nations, human resources, and community organizations, this role builds an inclusive institutional climate and directly supports measurable progress against key DEI metrics.

Primary Duties

• Partner with leadership and the committee on diversity and inclusion to set direction, manage, and coordinate DEI goals, actions, and strategies.
• Recommend policy, procedure, and structural improvements that remove barriers to success for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and underserved communities.
• Track the progress of DEI strategies against key metrics and provide recommendations to focus activities and strengthen key deliverables.
• Work with associate deans to build a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive community and climate where students can thrive.
• Identify, manage, and negotiate relationships with internal and external partners, including tribal nations, communities of color, and other minoritized communities.
• Work collaboratively with the university's Office of Equity and Diversity to ensure efforts are aligned with university-wide policies, programs, and strategic initiatives.
• Partner with human resources to integrate DEI best practices into HR policies and processes.
• Serve as the college liaison for campus diversity initiatives and engage in cooperative efforts with faculty, staff, and units across the university.
• Collaborate with the communications office to ensure DEI topics are included in appropriate internal and external communications.
• Collaborate with student services on advising and admissions for the college.
• Lead college community engagement in learning opportunities regarding intercultural competency and diversity, including co-leading the diversity-enriched curriculum.
• Identify, clarify, and resolve program issues and concerns using advanced professional knowledge, and mediate complex and sensitive issues.
• Assess ongoing diversity and inclusion activities, recommend and implement changes, and develop and prioritize new initiatives.
• Evaluate employee performance and provide ongoing training, development, feedback, and coaching to DEI staff.

Skills & Qualifications

• Master's degree and five years of professional experience that includes diversity, equity, and inclusion work.
• Demonstrated understanding of social justice and anti-racist principles and practices.
• Proven track record of developing DEI strategies and programs.
• Experience developing training and development or change initiatives, consulting, or related business experience.
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to advancing DEI and working effectively with individuals from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.
• Experience working within and engaging employees across all levels of a complex organization.
• Experience with organizational change and culture, and demonstrated success in project management, including organizational and planning skills.
• Demonstrated leadership ability and an ability to influence others directly and indirectly.
• Demonstrated ability to be proactive, stay abreast of DEI topics, and take initiative.

Sitting at the intersection of institutional leadership and community engagement, the Assistant Dean serves as the primary architect of a school's diversity and inclusion strategy, overseeing the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, a cross-campus advisory board, and a broad portfolio of programs including Diversity Week, speaker series, and the Common Read Initiative. Operating across student organizations, faculty development, senior leadership committees, and university-wide partnerships, this role advances a culture of inclusion through programming, training, communication, and policy development for domestic and international students.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Act as the primary architect of the diversity and inclusion strategy, including development and monitoring of metrics of success.
• Serve as a critical member of the senior leadership team, guiding diversity and inclusion.
• Work with students, faculty, and staff to envision, implement, and manage programs and trainings that foster an inclusive community.
• Serve as a representative for diversity and inclusion on various school and university-wide committees.
• Provide leadership and oversight of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, including staff supervision, budgeting, and project management.
• Help develop effective diversity and inclusion communication strategies, web and interactive media, and informational materials.
• Organize and convene the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board, which serves as an advisory body to the dean and assists in developing a culture of inclusion.
• Develop cross-campus collaborations and partnerships to strengthen diversity and inclusion efforts.
• Manage and grow programs, including Diversity Week, speaker series, Black History Month, diversity dialogues, diversity training, Welcome Week, and civic engagement activities.
• Oversee the common read program, including book selection, author outreach, orientation events, classroom integration of content, and year-round events.
• Develop diversity and inclusion training series for faculty and staff and create new opportunities for faculty engagement.
• Create and facilitate avenues for the community to address current events and emerging issues.
• Serve as an advisor to identity-based and other student organizations to promote diversity and inclusion among domestic and international students.
• Manage program operations and administrative functions, including planning and scheduling, program evaluation, policy implementation, personnel administration, budget, marketing, fundraising, and proposal development.

Requirements

• College or university degree in a related field.
• Master's degree in public policy, political science, social work, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of work experience in a related discipline.
• At least 10 years of experience in a related field, with demonstrated experience in diversity programming and initiatives in an institutional setting.
• Experience managing staff and operating budgets.
• Familiarity with a higher education environment.
• Experience with student organizations and international students.
• Dynamic leadership ability and experience building and managing teams.
• Superb written and oral communication skills, with the ability to translate complex issues for a general audience and diverse stakeholders.
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to manage multiple workstreams under pressure.
• Strong interpersonal skills.

A key member of the school's senior leadership team, the Assistant Dean for Development and Alumni Relations leads all fundraising and philanthropy initiatives, maintaining a portfolio of leadership and principal gift prospects while crafting high-level solicitation proposals to advance key strategic priorities. Collaborating with the dean, advisory board members, major gift officers, planned giving officers, and alumni engagement staff, this role drives philanthropic outcomes and serves as a primary external spokesperson for the college.

Strategic Responsibilities

• Actively maintain a portfolio of leadership and principal gift prospects and cultivate, solicit, and steward them on behalf of the school.
• Craft and present proposals for leadership and principal gift solicitations and prepare fundraising materials to maximize philanthropy for key strategic priorities.
• Actively direct all facets of fundraising initiatives.
• Play a primary role in managing and tracking specific fundraising initiatives in accordance with the university's and college's strategic plan.
• Work with the dean and directly manage the college's advisory board, working closely with board members to maximize their philanthropy toward key strategic funding priorities.
• Serve as an information resource for development and alumni relations, providing communication about specific departments, programs, and school-wide initiatives.
• Coordinate with major gift officers, planned giving officers, principal gift officers, and the office of alumni engagement to advance prospect activity and assist with linkage to faculty and staff.
• Serve as a member of the senior leadership team, representing development and alumni relations in administrative meetings and serving as a key external spokesperson for the college.
• Manage, oversee, and provide mentorship for an associate major gift officer supporting the school's development and alumni relations team.
• Supervise the office, budget, and fulfill administrative duties as required.

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• More than 10 years of related experience, including demonstrated leadership experience.
• Strong development credentials, including a proven track record of building and developing a high-level portfolio.
• Outstanding and successful experience as a fundraiser, including comprehensive management of principal gift prospects.
• Effective experience enlisting and interacting with senior-level leadership volunteers and committees.
• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills.
• Superb judgment and the sensibility to adjudicate wisely among competing priorities.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and exceptional reasoning, problem-solving, and analytical skills, including an ability to translate ideas and concepts into clear, actionable steps.
• Superb organizational skills and the ability to multi-task and work both independently and collaboratively with team members.

Student success and crisis response depend on the Assistant Dean, who maintains overall responsibility for a non-clinical case management system, the university's emergency withdrawal process, and chairs a student of concern committee to coordinate campus-wide responses to crisis, conduct, and well-being issues. Based within the Office of the Dean of Students, this role provides direct supervision to professional staff and graduate assistants and serves on an on-call rotation to deliver timely outreach, referrals, and follow-up services for students navigating hardship.

Duties

• Plan and provide a variety of interventions, referrals, and follow-up services.
• Maintain overall responsibility for a non-clinical student case management system to develop and implement both long- and short-term response plans for student success.
• Develop and present reports identifying trends in student needs, concerns, and requests for assistance and support.
• Provide outreach and education to students, staff, faculty, and parents and families about campus resources, services, and how to respond to student needs.
• Collaborate with campus partners to manage the care management process for students and assist with the financial hardship and emergency assistance program.
• Participate in the Office of the Dean of Students on-call rotation responding to student-related matters.
• Maintain overall responsibility for the university's emergency withdrawal process, the withdrawal process for non-academic emergencies, and the professor absence notification process.
• Chair the student of concern committee of campus partners who respond to issues of student crisis, conduct, and well-being.
• Advise students on relevant university policies.
• Provide direct and functional supervision to professional staff, graduate assistants, and student employees.
• Assist with special projects or other assignments given by senior leadership.

Technical Qualifications

• Master's degree in college student personnel administration, higher education administration, or a closely related field.
• Six years of related experience.
• Extensive experience in student advising, crisis management, or student case management in a higher education setting.
• Experience working closely with students from diverse backgrounds in a higher education setting.
• Experience developing and implementing strategic planning and outcome-driven assessment efforts.
• Familiarity with the academic, personal, and health and emotional needs of university students.
• Strong computer skills, including MS Office, Maxient, and relational database experience.
• Strong leadership skills, including an awareness of team dynamics and functioning.

As the Assistant Dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion in a health professions school, this role leads the school's DEI committee, develops curriculum and training that advance cultural competence, and investigates external funding to expand inclusion initiatives for students, staff, and faculty. The school relies on this work to recruit diverse faculty candidates, represent its values at national and regional meetings, and create a positive learning environment grounded in accountability and inclusion.

Functions

• Work with faculty and search committees to develop recruitment strategies to attract and retain diverse candidates for faculty positions.
• Lead the school's committee for diversity, equity, and inclusion, comprising faculty, staff, and students.
• Serve as an advocate and mentor, especially for underrepresented individuals.
• Collaborate with university leaders and groups to advance the school's values, vision, mission, and strategic planning in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Represent the school on university committees and initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Develop, facilitate, and support curriculum, trainings, policies, practices, and programs that advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and cultural competence for students, staff, and faculty.
• Create a positive learning environment and a climate of accountability.
• Investigate external funding resources to support and expand diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
• Communicate initiatives, strategies, challenges, and successes to internal and external constituents, including alumni and community organizations.
• Participate in didactic and clinical teaching responsibilities related to diversity, equity, and inclusion curricula goals, as appropriate.
• Represent the school at national and regional meetings, as appropriate.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• Master's degree or higher in counseling or education and/or a professional degree.
• Experience in an administrative role leading diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and initiatives.
• Experience or knowledge of undergraduate and doctoral-level health profession education environments.
• Experience as an assistant or associate dean or in a comparable administrative role.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the needs and challenges faced by underrepresented populations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and implement policies, procedures, and programs that link diversity, equity, and inclusion with organizational success and culture.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively among all groups and across cultures.
• Demonstrated ability in conflict resolution and managing change within an organization.

Assistant Dean for Academic Learning Environment owns the strategic leadership of RUSM's teaching and learning ecosystem, overseeing the Academy for Teaching and Learning, faculty development, and educational scholarship programs that serve a medical school community of students and scholars. Success in the position means sustaining best practices in medical education, managing mentoring programs for both faculty and students, and providing an on-campus presence across the main campus and clinical sites while reporting to the Chief Academic Officer.

Accountabilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the academic learning environment.
• Oversee a receptive, stimulating, and innovative learning environment.
• Articulate the academic learning environment mission and goals with stakeholders across the institution.
• Develop policies, procedures, and programs that create an outstanding student, faculty, and colleague experience.
• Manage appropriate budget and resourcing to execute the vision of the academic learning environment.
• Maintain a culture of continuous quality improvement.
• Provide an on-campus presence that requires significant travel to the main campus and clinical sites.
• Maintain current knowledge and expertise regarding best practices in faculty development and oversee pedagogical certification of all faculty.
• Engage with stakeholders in support of overall faculty performance enhancement.
• Manage and oversee the mentoring program for faculty development and anticipate and develop program and system solutions to faculty issues.
• Maintain current knowledge and expertise regarding best practices in medical student development.
• Engage with stakeholders in support of overall student performance enhancement.
• Manage and oversee the mentoring program for student development and anticipate and develop program and system solutions to academic student issues.
• Maintain current knowledge and expertise regarding best practices in medical education.
• Engage with stakeholders in support of overall educational scholarship and innovation enhancement.
• Oversee the scholarship development of students and faculty and implement systematic, best-practice solutions based on pedagogical research.

Professional Experience

• MD degree or equivalent.
• Minimum of 10 years of undergraduate medical education administrative experience, including supervision of academic and professional personnel, budget management, and demonstrated ability to develop and implement academic programs.
• Demonstrated record of outstanding achievement leading educational outcome improvement programs relating to faculty and student academic success.
• Published record of scholarship, including published research in the areas of pedagogical innovation.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous lifelong learning.
• Experience working in a team-based environment and excellent communication skills.
• Experience or education in educational psychology or a closely related area.
• Prior history of leadership of an academic research enterprise.

The Assistant Dean produces coordinated and compliant academic programs in an online higher education environment, overseeing curriculum development, faculty observation and evaluation, orientation, and regulatory compliance across assigned programs. Collaborating with the dean and program faculty, this role advances faculty retention and student retention through best practices in instructional delivery and professional development.

Activities

• Provide leadership for and coordination of all assigned academic programs, including strategic planning, resource allocation, implementation, and faculty observation and evaluation.
• Provide leadership for and coordinate the operational function of the academic mission, including the development, revision, and maintenance of the curriculum.
• Provide and monitor the effectiveness of orientation programs for new full- and part-time faculty and facilitate, monitor, and evaluate faculty professional development.
• Determine and execute best practices for faculty retention in conjunction with the dean.
• Assess the effectiveness of instructional delivery as it relates to student retention.
• Maintain departmental compliance with state, accrediting body, and federal regulatory agencies.
• Represent the college at events and activities as needed.

Background & Experience

• Minimum of one educational degree higher than the highest degree offered in the program.
• Minimum of three to five years of teaching experience, preferably post-secondary.
• Meet educational and work experience requirements for teaching in the program.
• Experience in distance education delivery.
• Ability to communicate well both in writing and verbally.
• Proficiency in industry software, including MS Office Suite.

Embedded within the Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health, the Assistant Dean for Strategic Initiatives develops and directs school-wide strategic goals, key performance indicators, and large-scale projects that align the school's plan with the broader university strategy. Working closely with the dean, academic leadership, faculty, and staff, this role advances program-market alignment, oversees evaluation systems, and produces data analyses and reports that inform high-stakes institutional decision-making.

Operational Focus

• Direct the establishment and monitoring of strategic goals, key performance indicators, and outcome measures for the school.
• Direct progress of strategic initiatives toward intended outcomes, including management of project scope, identification of challenges, and development of contingency plans.
• Provide leadership to strategic initiative implementation teams, task forces, and committees on action plans, resource acquisition, operational methods, milestone tracking, evaluation, and reporting.
• Align the school's strategic plan with the broader university strategic plan.
• Lead strategic initiatives, including diversity, equity, and inclusion planning and advancement outreach.
• Lead the analysis, interpretation, and presentation of data to support strategic initiatives and communicate findings to support decision-making.
• Promote the reputation and visibility of the school and its individual faculty and staff, including tracking key achievements.
• Provide complex professional assistance to the dean and leadership team as needed.
• Manage multiple concurrent strategic projects in close collaboration with the dean and leadership team, including planning, designating resources, preparing budgets, and monitoring and communicating progress.
• Conduct research, compile and analyze data, and prepare reports for the dean.
• Direct or collaborate with relevant leadership, faculty, and staff in coordinating annual or special events, completing required surveys and reports, and supporting the accreditation process for all programs.
• Provide substantive leadership and support to the leadership team, faculty, and staff in conducting comprehensive evaluation activities.
• Oversee systems and processes for the effective and efficient collection, interpretation, and application of evaluation data across student, alumni, academic program, and school-level metrics.
• Provide back-up support for fiscal and business operations as necessary.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree with a focus in strategy, operations, or a related field.
• Demonstrated program or project management experience.
• Experience in higher education or an entrepreneurial setting.
• Experience with academic program accreditation processes.
• Experience with higher education learning management systems.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to influence and motivate others to achieve results.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills and strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Experience prioritizing and driving multiple projects under deadline and adapting to changing priorities.
• Proficiency in statistical, database, and data management, and survey software applications, as well as advanced competencies in data analysis and data visualization.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat.

Reporting to the dean as a member of the College of Natural Resources executive leadership team, the Assistant Dean for College Advancement develops and implements fundraising goals, manages a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, and serves as senior adviser on philanthropy, alumni relations, and advocacy. Partnering with university advancement, department heads, faculty, key volunteers, and senior development staff, this role strengthens the college's brand and private support base while leading a team of advancement professionals toward annual fundraising targets.

Key Deliverables

• Set annual fundraising goals in partnership with the dean and manage the strategic fundraising process for the college.
• Manage a focused portfolio of major gift and principal gift level prospects, meeting annual goals for activity and results.
• Serve as the senior adviser to the dean and directors on philanthropy, advocacy, and alumni and external relations.
• Support the foundation by maintaining board relationships, overseeing the foundation budget, and arranging annual meetings, retreats, and other activities.
• Build mutually beneficial relationships with alumni, donors, industry, government, and other college constituents.
• Collaborate and consult with the university advancement office and other unit fundraising leaders, key volunteers, and senior development staff to increase overall private support for the college.
• Market and build the brand of the college through a broad range of communications that showcase excellent faculty, staff, students, and research.
• Regularly travel with the dean to meet with alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations to secure philanthropic resources for the college.
• Build working relationships with academic department heads, faculty, and administrators throughout the college to understand their programs and priorities and to assist in managing advancement activities and representing their needs.
• Lead and manage a team of advancement professionals, set policy, procedures, and best practices, and provide inspirational leadership, mentorship, and coaching to achieve annual goals.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master's degree or a bachelor's degree with at least 10 years of relevant experience.
• Seven or more years of formal fundraising experience with a progression of responsibilities and demonstrated leadership.
• Knowledge of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies and techniques.
• Excellent verbal communication and outstanding writing ability, with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels and with diverse individuals.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and networking skills with individuals and large groups.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise others and build effective work teams, including experience managing and motivating volunteers in a fundraising context.
• Ability to promote equity, diversity, and inclusive practices throughout development and engagement efforts.
• Knowledge of marketing and communication to build and maintain the college brand.
• Demonstrated analytical and strategic thinking capabilities, with a creative, professional, and entrepreneurial approach.
• An understanding of the land-grant, research-tier-one university environment.

Sitting at the intersection of academic program design and student equity, the Assistant Dean for First-Year Academic Programs oversees Harvard College's first-year academic experience, directing a summer pre-matriculation program, orientation programming, gateway course partnerships, and placement exams to set every student up for success from the moment they arrive. Operating across academic departments, language programs, institutional research, and the Dean of Students Office, this role ensures concentration choice and academic preparation reflect an informed, inclusive approach grounded in strong pedagogy.

Areas of Ownership

• Create and implement a summer pre-matriculation program for selected first-generation, international, and other students who may benefit from additional time and resources adapting to the college environment.
• Oversee creation of programming, including academic, personal, and social content, and oversee summer housing for students in the program.
• Define goals for the pre-matriculation program and work with institutional research on assessment of program efficacy.
• Direct orientation programming for first-year students, working closely with the Dean of Students Office and advising programs on orientation timing and content.
• Use orientation to convey a unified vision of undergraduate education that contextualizes students' academic experiences from the moment they arrive on campus.
• Serve as the primary liaison with departments and programs on existing and new gateway courses, ensuring academic rigor, accessibility for students from any background, and that courses serve their intended purpose.
• Oversee placement exams, liaising with relevant offices and academic departments on exam platform, content, accessibility, and the pedagogical and advising underpinnings of the exams.
• Work with language departments on policy questions related to language requirements.
• Work closely with advising programs, concentrations, and institutional research to ensure concentration choice results from an informed process of personal and academic exploration.

Technical Qualifications

• Doctorate in the liberal arts or in education preferred, with at least 10 years of combined teaching and administrative experience.
• At least two years of experience in both teaching and administration preferred.
• Experience with the unique challenges facing first-year students and students from non-traditional backgrounds strongly preferred.
• Experience in college preparation and equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives strongly preferred.
• Curriculum oversight and advising experience required.
• Strong pedagogical background required.
• Excellent communication skills with students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds required.
• Proven ability to deal with sensitive topics in a person-centered and sympathetic manner.
• Proven track record of bringing together disparate groups for complex projects.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience and supervisory experience.

A key member of the college dean's office, the Assistant Dean for Student Success and Outreach oversees recruitment and retention efforts, scholarships, and student support programs for both undergraduate and graduate students, integrating inclusive practices across all programs and processes. Collaborating with the dean, associate dean, department heads, the University Advising Commons, and the foundation, this role monitors key performance indicators and advances a student-centered college environment with broad engagement across local, regional, national, and international recruitment efforts.

Role Responsibilities

• Spearhead local, regional, national, and international recruitment efforts at the college level in collaboration with the dean, associate dean, department heads, and the office of admissions.
• Oversee college scholarships in close collaboration with the foundation, including managing the scholarship committee and the corresponding scholarship database.
• Establish and maintain student support services, programs, and activities and direct the student ambassador program.
• Partner with the university advising commons on coordination of college advising services.
• Coordinate and represent the college in summer orientation programming and other special recruitment and orientation events.
• Integrate inclusive practices into programs and processes.
• Monitor, evaluate, and disseminate data, metrics, and statistics relating to the college's key performance indicators and student success in collaboration with the Office of Planning and Analysis.
• Assist with policies and procedures relating to student support and conduct, including issues related to FERPA, plagiarism, disciplinary matters, disabilities, suspensions, course appeals, and other arising issues.
• Facilitate student services, training, and onboarding for the departmental student success coordinators team.
• Participate with the dean's office in event planning.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field or equivalent demonstrated professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience in student recruitment, retention, advising, or student success efforts in a higher education setting.
• Demonstrated experience working with and engaging diverse students and colleagues within and outside the university setting.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating committees.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills and excellent organizational and conflict management skills.
• Proven analytical and problem-solving skills with personal integrity, vision, and energy.
• Ability to develop and implement strategies for success with diverse populations.

Academic quality and a meaningful student journey depend on the Assistant Dean, who serves as the primary driver of student advising, faculty support, and program evaluation in a higher education setting, supporting the dean in maintaining the highest standards of academic and student service. Serving as the bridge between the student body and administration, this role establishes assessment tools and metrics, oversees academic social functions and extracurricular projects, and partners with academic program faculty on pedagogy advancements.

Job Functions

• Support the dean to maintain the highest academic and student service standards and serve as the primary driver ensuring a meaningful and impactful academic journey for students.
• Create and maintain a visible profile with the student body to support and advise students on academic and disciplinary matters.
• Provide faculty with ongoing administrative support regarding the advising and care of students.
• Partner with academic program faculty on pedagogy advancements.
• Help interpret and implement policy and promote academic quality by improving efficiencies and processes.
• Establish tools and metrics for program evaluation and assessment.
• Serve on external and internal committees related to program design and participate in curriculum planning, academic quality, and accreditation.
• Oversee academic-related social functions and extracurricular projects and function as the bridge between the student body and administration.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master's degree in a relevant business or education discipline.
• Three to five years of experience in relevant higher education roles.
• Proficiency in standard software, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, to manage data, interpret reports, and generate professional documents and presentations.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with developed presentation skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and collaboratively while also taking initiative independently.
• International work or study experience is an asset.

The Assistant Dean for Enrollment Services oversees all enrollment functions across admissions, financial aid, the registrar, enrollment marketing, and student enrollment systems, directly supervising five senior-level direct reports and leading the broader Enrollment Services team through a period of organizational transition. The university relies on this work to develop long-range enrollment plans, analyze headcount and financial projections, and advance the strategic enrollment of students from richly diverse backgrounds.

Ownership Areas

• Contribute to strategic planning efforts and other department-wide initiatives.
• Develop and implement effective, long-range enrollment plans in partnership with senior leadership, including developing target audiences, participating in admission decisions, and collaborating on the admissions profile.
• Oversee enrollment data analysis to prepare enrollment headcount, financial projections, and support strategic planning efforts.
• Strategize with the enrollment office to employ best practices in support of a community of students from richly diverse backgrounds.
• Serve on internal and university-wide committees to inform school-wide policies.

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• Master's degree in a relevant field preferred.
• Experience using and managing complex databases, enrollment systems, and projects.
• Demonstrated experience developing successful strategies for strengthening the diversity of a student body.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience and supervisory experience.
• Experience with budget projection and management and high-level data analysis.
• Experience with supervisory management of individuals and teams at varying levels and across departments, including experience leading teams in transition.
• Ability to drive change and deliver results in a complex, decentralized environment.
• Strong working knowledge of admissions, recruitment, financial aid compliance, and student enrollment issues and trends.
• Collaborative, empathetic, supportive, and diplomatic leadership style, with excellent written, verbal, and marketing communication skills.

Assistant Dean runs daily academic operations and faculty development efforts in a higher education setting, assisting the dean of education in monitoring certification pass rates, academic standards, and the quality of teaching and learning outcomes across programs. The work directly supports a motivated and professionally developed faculty team through formal and informal classroom observations, performance reviews, and data-driven approaches to student communication channels.

Executive Functions

• Accomplish departmental objectives by assisting with managing staff and planning and evaluating departmental activities.
• Assist with recruiting, selecting, orienting, coaching, and training employees to maintain a motivated and professional team.
• Develop and implement a data-driven approach to monitor all student communication channels, including phone and email.
• Assist with coaching, counseling, and disciplining employees in partnership with human resources, using the progressive discipline policy.
• Assist with processing timely, accurate, and unbiased performance reviews.
• Ensure a safe, secure, and ethical work environment.
• Work with the dean of education to develop and maintain goals to ensure monthly certification take and pass rates per program are achieved.
• Assist with monitoring academic standards and ensuring the quality of teaching, learning, and academic outcomes.
• Assist with reviewing and following up on instructor and programmatic surveys and assessments while analyzing and sharing data with faculty and staff.
• Conduct formal and informal classroom observations in conjunction with the dean of education and plan ongoing faculty development and training.

Requirements

• Master's degree preferred.
• Bachelor's degree required.
• Two to three years of management experience, ideally in a higher education setting.
• Two years of teaching experience preferred.
• Curriculum development experience preferred.
• Background in IT preferred.