Associate Dean, College of Graduate and Professional Studies

Job Description:

Position Summary:

The Associate Dean of The College of Graduate and Professional Studies is responsible for supporting the overall performance and operations of the college.  Academic and administrative excellence, enrollment management, and financial stewardship are top priorities. The position directs the college collaboratively across academic programs to provide holistic learning opportunities and equitable educational and career outcomes for students. This position oversees and leads a college-wide operational infrastructure that aligns excellence in teaching and learning, culturally responsive course and program development, faculty training and development, and support for faculty and instructional staff for equitable opportunity and academic goal attainment for students.

The Associate Dean of the College reports directly to the Dean of the College. This role serves as a primary contact for internal partners and external community and industry partners.

This role may be based at an existing campus of The Chicago School, and hybrid or remote work arrangements may be considered. Occasional travel (20%-30%) may be required and may fluctuate based on time of year or business need.  

Key Areas of Responsibility

Academic Leadership & People Management

• In collaboration with the College Dean, lead the overall strategic operational processes for the college by working with university leadership, chairs, faculty, and major committees to ensure the delivery of high-quality services at the college level.

• Through plan development and solution-oriented team management lead the implementation of annual college and University goals in a manner that results in college and university fiscal and operational success. 

• Provide leadership and support for the recruitment and retention of diverse employees such that open positions are filled in a timely manner and employee retention standards are achieved.

Academic Operations

• Lead the evaluation, development and, implementation of policies, procedures, standards, and criteria which result in the effective delivery of instruction, student engagement, and reduced time to degree completion across the program locations and in multiple modalities.

• Responsible for mobilizing academic departments to ensure students are receiving the support the need to successfully complete their degrees in a timely manner. 

• With support from the College and Finance Department assist in the planning and administration of the college annual budget and long-range financial plan.

• Support the College Dean in the delivery of desired college financial results, ensuring the attainment of revenue and operating surplus targets according to approved budgets and long-range plans.

Academic Quality & Innovation

• Build and maintain a climate of operational excellence, professional integrity, and, in doing so, support a climate of academic excellence. Encourage and reward the development of innovative new programs, initiatives, and policies. 

• For all college programs eligible, partner with academic leadership to ensure programmatic accreditation is achieved and maintained.

• Partner with academic leadership to ensure all college programs remain in compliance with state authorization and licensure eligibility requirements.

• Lead continuous improvement of high-impact practices to increase the quality of course delivery and student engagement.  

• Develop, manage and facilitate systems ensuring the currency of faculty knowledge and implementation of available instructional technology for, or in support of, distance and internet-mediated instruction.

• In coordination with program leadership and faculty develop systems which provide for a regular cycle of review and evaluation of program courses for instructional effectiveness and student satisfaction.

Admissions & Student Support Leadership

• Actively engage with Admissions and Student Support leaders to identify opportunities and remove barriers with the goal of improving new student enrollment and retention for programs within the college. Oversee and lead the development of partnerships and articulation agreements with other accredited institutions.

• Provide oversite of Academic Chairs in the development of grassroots outreach and partnership activity, ensuring the development of productive new student enrollment partnerships.

• Provide leadership to fulfill campus and institutional advancement, marketing, public affairs, and sponsored program goals.

Position Qualifications:

• Ph.D. or Psy.D. in a field relevant to one or more of the college programs from a regionally accredited institution required.

• Evidence of effective leadership in a similar role within a college or university setting, or success in roles of increasing leadership responsibility within a college or university setting suggesting readiness for the Associate Dean role.

• Preference for a minimum of three years of successful work experience in learning technologies in higher education, including one year in program management, and two years in the delivery and support of online learning.

• Ability to demonstrate the relevance of their work, scholarship, and interests to the larger community.

• When available it is expected the Associate Dean will be licensed in one of the fields overseen.

Application:

To apply, please complete this application and include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and teaching evaluations (if available). For more information about The Chicago School, visit www.thechicagoschool.edu.

Compensation & Benefits

This opportunity is budgeted at $100,000 - $125,000 base compensation. Additional compensation factors may impact total compensation. To learn more about our competitive benefits and additional rewards, including generous paid time-off, medical and dental insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, retirement plan with employer contribution, multiple flexible spending accounts, tuition reimbursement, click the link below.

https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/career-opportunities/

The Chicago School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Please note: For the protection of faculty, staff, students, and all who enter our facilities, The Chicago School strongly recommends that all employees are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 per CDC guidance.