Overview and Responsibilities
Reporting to the Vice President of Academic Affairs, the Senior Dean provides strategic leadership and academic and fiscal oversight across all Graduate Schools, and supervises and collaborates with the Graduate School Associate Deans. The Senior Dean is responsible for maintaining high standards of academic quality, ensuring the vitality and prominence of the Graduate Schools’ educational programs, and leading strategic recruitment, academic planning, research, outreach, advancement and development, and international education initiatives to drive enrollment growth and increase revenue. Additionally, the Senior Dean is responsible for developing and implementing academic policies and procedures in alignment with federal, state, and accreditation standards and university policies. The Senior Dean also serves on the University Academic Council and oversees the financial and management operations that support the mission of the Graduate Schools and their role within the University. Lastly, the Senior Dean will work in concert with the VPAA and VP for Mission and Ministry to ensure the programs' Catholic Intellectual Tradition and the Lasallian Catholic mission are developed and integrated throughout the schools while identifying and enhancing opportunities to promote flourishing and virtue formation.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide collegial and dynamic leadership for the Schools’ programs, faculty, staff, and students.
- Align the Graduate Schools’ goals and planning with the University’s strategic initiatives.
- Supervise associate deans and support their supervisory roles within the Graduate Schools.
- Provide leadership in achieving and maintaining program specialty accreditation and compliance with accreditation standards across the Graduate Schools.
- Develop a vision, in collaboration with associate deans and program directors, on best practices for outreach to increase enrollment.
- Determine new or redeveloped programs based on data-informed opportunities in key strategic markets in partnership with associate deans.
- Partner with the College to develop pathways such as 3+2 or 4+1 programs.
- Provide leadership to support the development of online programs and embed work-integrated learning and human flourishing into the program curricula through partnership with the Dean of Advancing Studies.
- Collaborate with the VP for Marketing and Communication and VP for Enrollment Management to support enrollment growth.
- Develop and cultivate new or existing corporate and community partnerships within and outside of the university.
- Establish and develop effective professional relationships within the business community of small to large enterprises; government agencies; non-profit organizations; and alumni, resulting in internships, cooperative education programs, and employment opportunities for students.
- Strategize and implement plans for program growth and enrollment.
- Oversee management of the graduate schools’ financial resources, including budget planning.
- Oversee, review, and respond to department annual reports.
- Monitor program vitality and respond to program performance, enrollment, and program changes across the Graduate Schools.
- Provide leadership for assessment and accreditation processes for programs within the Graduate Schools.
- Identify and develop philanthropic, public, and constituent support for the Graduate Schools that is consistent with the university's priorities.
- Lead and engage in efforts to promote global engagement, research, current and future grants, and other external funding.
- Ensure a robust and quality educational experience for students to assist in their professional pursuits and ongoing development.
- As needed, meet with students regarding their program, course of study, and academic policies related to academic dishonesty and integrity issues.
- Support associate deans with their program directors related to faculty recruitment, review, and development.
- Coordinate policy development implementation and ensure programs comply with regulatory matters related to regional accreditation and Department of Education guidelines.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Vice President of Academic Affairs and President.
Qualifications
ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND FUNCTIONS
- Mastery in leading multiple disciplinary Schools, Colleges, or degree programs (e.g., K-12 education, business, and health and human services).
- Mastery in leading specialty accreditation with health and human services, K-12 education, and/or business programs.
- Ability to interpret and lead regulatory and compliance items tied to health and human services, education, and/or business programs.
- Subject matter expertise in contemporary issues in higher education, particularly traditional, non-traditional, and online learners, as well as regulatory, governmental, and public media issues affecting higher education.
- Excellent professional interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and multicultural literacy.
- Exceptional organizational and analytical skills; significant problem-solving expertise.
- Grant writing, fundraising, philanthropic development expertise.
- Build and maintain collaborative, impactful relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
- Interpret and effectively respond to changing demographics, student demands, and expanding/declining markets.
- Lead strategically and engage in operational activities.
- Competent financial literacy with fiscal skills and business acumen necessary to allocate and monitor budgetary resources effectively and efficiently.
- Demonstrate sound business judgment, ethical decision-making, fiscal stewardship, and financial acumen.
- Travel to support dual campus/multi-center activity and in pursuit of new programs/program growth.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
- Must have an earned doctorate, preferably in one of the disciplines represented in the Graduate Schools.
- Must have a minimum of ten (10) years of higher education experience, five (5) of those years in an academic leadership role.
- Successful administrative experience at an HLC-accredited (or similarly US accredited) college with senior-level administrative experience includes influencing and collaborating with executive-level leaders.
- Practitioner experience in K-12 education, health profession, and/or business profession field is preferred.
- Experience successfully developing and executing academic strategies in a complex and comprehensive university.
- Must have demonstrated experience managing budgets and overseeing departmental administration, faculty, and staff.
- Must have demonstrated experience with assessment, program and university accreditation, research, and community engagement.
Application Requirements
Apply online at https://www.smumn.edu/about/offices-services/human-resources/employment-opportunities/ and include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota believes inclusion and human dignity contribute to a robust academic and work environment and are critical to achieving the University's mission in an increasingly diverse society. Individuals with expertise and diverse skills from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The successful candidate must support, respect, and advance the mission of Saint Mary's University as a Lasallian Catholic institution.
Saint Mary’s offers a comprehensive benefit package including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending, retirement pension plan, and both undergraduate and graduate tuition remission plans.
All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.
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