Dean of Faculty

Description

Department: Administration

Job Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports To: Provost

Grade/Level: Graduate

Amount of Travel Required:  

Work Schedule: 

Positions Supervised: 

Position Overview:

Benedictine College seeks to establish the position of Dean of Faculty. The College is a mission-driven institution, and this Dean will help the college to continue pursue this mission:  as a Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts and residential college, to educate men and women within a community of faith and scholarship. 

Commitment to this mission has sparked more than 20 years of steady growth. The College currently enrolls approximately 2250 full-time undergraduate students and has about 135 full-time faculty members.  While remaining committed to its liberal arts identity, the college offers over 50 academic majors, including professional majors such as engineering, graphic design, architecture, and nursing. 

The growth in the size and scope of the college has led to the recognition of the need to add additional resources to support the work of the faculty, and to seek a visionary and collaborative leader to serve as Dean of Faculty. This is a senior administrative position that reports directly to the Provost, playing a pivotal role in supporting, advocating for, and leading the faculty. The Dean of Faculty will contribute to supporting a vibrant academic culture and strengthening the institution’s commitment to excellence in teaching, scholarship, and community engagement.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities:

• Faculty Leadership and Advocacy:
  • Serve as the primary advocate for faculty needs, concerns, and development.
  • Promote a culture of collegiality, shared governance, and collaboration across academic departments.
  • Support faculty in their efforts to balance teaching, research, and service responsibilities.
• Academic Excellence and Curriculum Development:
  • Collaborate with department chairs and program directors to promote the highest standards of academic excellence in all academic programs.
  • Support the specialized accreditation efforts of those departments that require such accreditation.
  • Oversee faculty involvement in curriculum design, innovation, and assessment to align with institutional goals and student needs.
  • Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, pedagogical development, student-faculty interaction, and a culture of high expectations.
• Faculty Development and Evaluation:
  • Lead faculty recruitment, appointment, and retention efforts, focusing on mission-centered faculty hiring practices, and attracting faculty from all backgrounds and cultures who will contribute to the mission.
  • Support faculty development through mentoring, professional growth opportunities, and promotion of scholarly and pedagogical accomplishment.
  • Collaborate with the Provost and department chairs in the faculty review process, including tenure and promotion evaluations, performance assessments, and faculty recognition.
• Collaboration with Senior Leadership:
  • Work closely with the Provost and other senior administrators on institutional strategic planning, resource allocation, and policy development.
  • Contribute to initiatives that support the college’s mission, vision, and goals, particularly in areas of faculty development and academic innovation.
• Budget and Resource Management:
  • Manage budgets related to faculty development, academic resources, and faculty support services.
  • Support department chairs in departmental budget management. 
  • Collaborate with the Provost and other administrators in securing resources for faculty development and academic initiatives.

Qualifications:

• Education: A terminal degree in a relevant field (PhD or equivalent).
• Experience: At least 5-7 years of higher education experience, with a demonstrated track record of leadership and administration at the department chair or similar level.
• Strong commitment to the liberal arts and professional education.
• Understanding of the Catholic intellectual tradition and its relevance to contemporary higher education.
• Demonstrated understanding of issues related to faculty development, shared governance, and academic leadership.
• Experience with curriculum design and assessment, faculty evaluation, and budget management.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a liberal arts or small college setting.
• Experience in Catholic higher education
• Experience supporting interdisciplinary collaboration and program development
• Strong record of scholarly and professional achievements.

Application Instructions:

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, a statement outlining their understanding of the interaction between the Benedictine College mission and their vision of academic excellence, a CV, and a list of three professional references. Review of applications will begin on November 15 and continue until the position is filled. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical Abilities 

Stand O  

Walk O  

Sit O   

Handling / Fingering O  

Reach Outward O   

Reach Above Shoulder O 

Climb N 

Crawl N 

Squat or Kneel O 

Bend O 

Push / Pull

12 lbs or less O 

13-25 lbs O 

26-40 lbs N 

41-100 lbs N 

Lift /Carry 

10 lbs or less O 

11-20 lbs O 

21-50 lbs N

51-100 lbs N 

Over 100 lbs N

N (Not Applicable) Activity is not applicable to this occupation. 

O (Occasionally) Occupation requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0 - 2.5 hrs/day)

F (Frequently) Occupation requires this activity from 33% - 66% of the time (2.5 - 5.5 hrs/day)

C (Constantly) Occupation requires this activity more than 66% of the time (5.5 hrs/day)

EOE