Associate Dean, School of Business and Professional Studies
UMass Global (University of Massachusetts Global)Please Note: Internal Employees, please access the Jobs Hub in Workday to apply for the position.
ABOUT US
University of Massachusetts Global is a private, nonprofit affiliate of the University of Massachusetts, created to help working adults change their lives through flexible, high-quality education built for real life. Regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and recognized by U.S. News & World Report among the Best Online Programs for 13 consecutive years (2013–2025), the university has a long track record of online innovation. Students across 49 states and internationally can upskill, reskill, and move forward without putting life on hold through technology-enabled, real-world learning. With 55+fully online, career-focused programs designed around the realities of work, family, and constant change, we remain ever-focused on developing future-ready learners who can thrive in a rapidly shifting world.
This position is open to candidates who currently reside in one of the following approved states from which the role may be performed remotely: Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin.
Employees must be available for collaboration during core hours from 10am to 3pm (PST).
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Associate Dean of the School of Business and Professional Studies supports the Dean in advancing the vision, mission, and strategic plan of the institution. The Associate Dean plays a pivotal role in the operational leadership and administration of the school, assisting in the management of academic programs, accreditation readiness, faculty management, student engagement, and other operational activities. Working collaboratively with the Dean and other members of the leadership team, the Associate Dean promotes a culture of excellence, continuous improvement, and innovation. This position serves as a key representative of the School of Business and Professional Studies within the institution and contributes to its engagement with external partners at the local, state, and national levels.
TYPE OF SUPERVISION:
Receive general direction from the Dean of Business.
General Direction — indicates that the incumbent receives guidance in terms of broad goals and overall objectives and is responsible for establishing the methods to attain them. Generally, the incumbent is in charge of an area of work and typically formulates policy for this area but does not necessarily have final authority for approving policy.
POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Curriculum Oversight
- Implement curriculum revisions approved through university governance by coordinating with program directors and faculty to launch, modify or phase out programs and courses
- Coordinate faculty contributions to course content and incorporate feedback from students and external partners (employers, community organizations, professional practitioners) to update and improve the curriculum
- Review, approve, and maintain catalog content for School programs and courses to ensure accuracy, clarity, and alignment with approved curricula
- Support program and accreditation review activities by monitoring compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards, coordinating assessment of programs and courses, and documenting findings for continuous improvement
- Oversee ongoing review of program and course portfolios by managing review cycles, monitoring alignment with learning outcomes, incorporating elements that advance program development (such as certifications, experiential learning, and microcredentials), and recommending course revisions or inactivations as needed
- Advance academic quality by promoting consistent instruction and evaluation practices
Faculty and Staff Oversight
- Support faculty staffing plans by recruiting and onboarding new faculty and addressing upcoming staffing changes, evaluating faculty performance, and making recommendations for promotions and reappointments
- Manage faculty workload plans and in‑year adjustments to ensure adequate program and course coverage within School
- Supervise faculty directors, faculty and/or support staff, overseeing teaching quality, performance, and peer‑mentoring structures
- Promote faculty growth by coordinating relevant professional development opportunities and fostering faculty engagement and a strong sense of academic community
- Foster an inclusive, student‑centered learning environment by ensuring faculty comply with accessibility and policies impacting learner needs
Academic Administration
- Maintain open communication and coordinate the flow of key academic and operational information across schools, faculty, staff, and support units
- Coordinate academic program operations by managing course scheduling and program documents, monitoring program performance, and collaborating with academic leaders to ensure aligned, high‑quality curricula
- Ensure consistent implementation of academic policies and manage complex student issues, including escalations, appeals, and concerns, in collaboration with relevant university partners
- Represent the School on internal committees and at relevant professional associations, regulatory bodies, and accrediting agencies, as requested by the Dean
- Use data analytics to monitor key program and student success metrics, and apply findings to guide strategic improvements and reporting
- Use technology, including university approved AI tools, to enhance teaching, learning, and academic operations
Fiscal Management
- Assist the Dean in managing School's fiscal affairs, including approval of faculty and staff expenses such as travel and professional development funds
- Provide input on budget planning, forecasting, and resource allocation
Outreach
- Develop and maintain external partnerships and representations that promote the School’s programs and support its strategic goals
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to align outreach, communications, and program materials with the School’s strategic goals
Other
- Perform other duties, as assigned by Dean
POSITION SPECIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATION AND/OR LICENSES:
- Requires a master’s degree from an accredited university in a discipline related to business, leadership, or organizational management.
- An earned Ed.D. or other doctoral degree in a leadership-related discipline is desirable.
- A minimum of five years of exemplary online teaching experience in higher education
- A minimum of three years of experience in online program and course development
- A minimum of three years of experience in the administration of online higher education programs. Demonstrated experience that combines knowledge of global or international education systems, competency-based education (CBE), and traditional online learning models.
- Experience working effectively with non-traditional and adult learners
ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to guide teams, drive execution, and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Strong strategic and operational capabilities in designing, implementing, and evaluating online academic initiatives across the academic life cycle (e.g., curriculum, faculty, students, assessment, accreditation, and quality).
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across distributed academic, operational, and enterprise stakeholders.
- Knowledge of online and hybrid learning modalities, learning technologies. and emerging trends that enhance teaching, learning, and student engagement.
- Proficiency with data-informed decision-making, including interpreting academic and operational metrics to diagnose issues, identify trends, and improve outcomes.
- Understanding of accreditation, assessment, and academic policy frameworks relevant to programs, with the ability to ensure compliance and alignment.
- Commitment to fostering equitable, inclusive, student-centered learning environments that value diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.
- Professional disposition characterized by emotional intelligence, discretion, resilience, and a growth mindset.
Machines, Tools, Equipment, Electronic Devices and Software: Microsoft Office Suite, video conferencing platforms (such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams), Learning Management Systems (such as Brightspace, Blackboard) and other typical enterprise-type software used in educational organizations (such as Banner, Workday).
Contact with Students: Frequent
Contact with Faculty and/or Staff: Frequent
Contact with Community and Vendors: Occasional
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Position may be required to work flexible hours particularly given the need to support students’ or stakeholders’ extended hours of operation and may require occasional weekend and/or evening work. Applicants for this position are subject to a background check and a criminal history review.
The hiring range for this position is $115,000 - $135,000 annually. Offers are determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to geographical location, knowledge, skills, years & depth of experience, and equity with internal team members.
BENEFITS AND PERKS
At the University of Massachusetts Global, we support your total well-being with flexible and meaningful benefits:
- Health: Medical, dental, and vision coverage with spending account options.
- Work-Life Balance: Remote options, flexible schedules, 1/2 day Fridays (biweekly), generous time off, including paid holidays and a paid winter break.
- Financial Security: Life, disability, accident, legal, identity protection, and student debt support.
- Retirement: 403(b) plan with a Roth option. 3% non-elective contribution and up to 6% match for a 9% total employer contribution!
- Education: Tuition discounts for employees and family and Tuition Exchange program with other universities. PSLF eligible employer.
- Wellness: Counseling services, Free Calm Health subscription and year-round wellness programs.
Equal Employment Opportunity – UMass Global is committed to providing an educational and work environment free of unlawful discrimination and harassment in any form. UMass Global prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment on the basis of age, race (including hairstyle/texture, protective hairstyles, braids, locks, and twists), color, religion (including religious observance, belief, practice dress and grooming practices), citizenship, pregnancy (including temporary physical or mental limitations related to, affected by, or arising out of pregnancy, childbirth, or any related medical conditions), sex, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, national origin, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, legally-protected medical condition, military (past, present or prospective) status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, sexual and reproductive health, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by local, State or Federal law.
Reasonable Accommodation – UMass Global provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the recruitment department at recruiting@umassglobal.edu.