Dean of Faculty - Benedictine College : Job Details

Department: Senior 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, education, 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. The Dean of Faculty will be a senior academic leader who will serve as a key communication channel between the faculty and the rest of the college. In that capacity, the Dean will represent and advocate for the faculty and will work with the rest of the senior administration to craft responses to faculty concerns consonant with institutional constraints and consistent with the college's mission. Reporting to the Provost, and a member of the President's Extended Cabinet, the Dean will play a central role in faculty evaluation and development, academic planning, and institutional effectiveness. This is a highly collaborative position, working closely with department chairs, faculty committees, and broader college leadership on matters including general education, faculty hiring, course scheduling, and academic policy. The Dean will also chair the Dean's Council, contribute to Rank and Tenure deliberations, co-lead new faculty orientation, and help shape the future of academic programs-especially in the context of institutional growth and strategic initiatives, such as the launch of a new medical school and the review of the general education curriculum . 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.
  • The Dean of Faculty will teach one course each semester to maintain connection with the academic life of the college.
• 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), with a strong record of scholarly and professional achievements.
• 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, and evidence of institutional impact (such as through significant committee service, program development, or other collaborative innovation)
• Strong commitment to the liberal arts and professional education.
• Understanding of the Catholic intellectual tradition and its relevance to contemporary higher education.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a liberal arts or small college setting.
• Experience in Catholic higher education
• Experience with curriculum design and assessment, faculty evaluation, and budget management.
• Experience supporting interdisciplinary collaboration and program development
• Experience with accreditation processes

Application Instructions: Interested candidates should submit a cover letter outlining the way in which their experience has prepared them for this job, 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 should be uploaded. Review of applications will begin on September 1st and continue until the position is filled. PHYSICAL DEMANDSPhysical 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