The University of Connecticut (UConn), one of the nation’s leading public research universities, seeks a visionary and dynamic leader to serve as Dean of the School of Business. The successful candidate will be a collaborative and forward-thinking leader with the leadership, management, fundraising, and scholarly abilities necessary to succeed as the Dean of the School of Business.
Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. The University is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes seven campuses across the state: Avery Point, Hartford, Stamford, Storrs, and Waterbury, the Law School in Hartford, and UConn Health in Farmington. UConn has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including more than 24,000 undergraduates and nearly 8,000 graduate and professional students. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.
The School of Business, established in 1941, is a nationally recognized educational leader offering undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs across university campuses in Storrs, Stamford, and Waterbury, in addition to its dedicated Graduate Business Learning Center in Hartford, as well as online. With over 3,000 undergraduate and 1,400 graduate students, the School features academic departments in Accounting, Finance, Management and Entrepreneurship, Marketing, and Operations and Information Management, offering degrees and certificates in a wide range of fields. The School of Business is fully accredited by AACSB International - the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The School’s program in Accounting is also accredited by AACSB.
Reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs for all matters, the Dean is the chief academic and administrative officer of the School, responsible for providing strategic vision and operational leadership to all aspects of the academic and scholarly program. The successful candidate will be a nationally recognized, innovative leader prepared to advance the initiatives and priorities contained in the University’s strategic plan and able to inspire and engage the School of Business Community including faculty, students, staff, alumni, and supporters. The successful candidate will be expected to broaden participation among members of under-represented groups and advance the School’s national and international reputation as demonstrated through improved rankings, successful fundraising, community engagement, and faculty and student achievement. In addition, the ideal candidate will be dedicated to collaborative governance, will possess a leadership style that values excellence and differences in opinions and experiences, will be a skilled administrator capable of building strong working relationships, and will be able to imagine new possibilities for the School.
Minimum Qualifications
- Demonstrated visionary leadership with a proven track record of successful administrative leadership.
- Credentials that merit appointment for a tenure-track academic appointment at the rank of Professor or a current appointment at UConn at the rank of Professor in one of UConn’s schools and colleges, including a doctoral degree or other terminal degree in a field relevant to leadership in academic affairs and the school. Equivalent foreign degrees are acceptable.
- Progressively responsible leadership experience at a higher education institution, demonstrating knowledge of core management functions, straightforward experience with managing strategic priorities, and understanding and embracing University policies, guidance, best practices, and procedures.
- Success in building and executing a strategic and fiscally-sound academic budget.
- Solid track record in meeting a university mission with respect to enrollment, graduation, research, innovation, and fundraising.
Preferred Qualifications
- Background and experience pertinent to the unique programs and setting of the School, including a clear understanding of the academic vision of the university, the land grant mission of the University, and the School’s goals and opportunities to deliver quality undergraduate and graduate education.
- Proven business and political acumen commensurate with the leadership needs of the School of Business, including the ability to navigate the organizational, political, and fiscal realities unique to a major public research university; demonstrable experience applying sound judgment; and an ability to manage change, resolve conflict, and build consensus.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to develop, engage, and maintain constructive and professional relationships with senior administrators, faculty, staff, students, and other individuals and organizations.
- A collaborative and collegial approach toward fostering partnerships within the School of Business and academic units across the University.
- Demonstrated commitment to increasing a sense of belonging for all members of the school including assessing needs, developing initiatives, and applying best practices.
- Demonstrated understanding of the Dean’s role as chief fundraiser for the School of Business and the skillsets needed to form and maintain partnerships with donors and alumni.
- Varied and extensive success in securing extramural funding from state and federal agencies or foundations.
- Experience managing complex budgets and allocating resources across multiple entities.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze, understand, and interpret complex situations and problems, evaluate options, devise and propose solutions that align resources with goals, implement plans, and measure outcomes.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in a diverse organization. Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to effectively communicate needs, plans, and programs.
- Experience as an agent of innovation and change, achieving excellence across a complex organization.
- Demonstrated ability to work collegially and cooperatively on partnership initiatives with other schools and colleges, with the upper administration, and with external partners.
Additional information on this opportunity can be found at (Profile Link)
Application Information
The University of Connecticut has retained the services of the executive search firm Storbeck Search to conduct this important search. All inquiries, nominations/referrals, and applications will be held in the strictest confidence and should be submitted to [email protected].
A complete application will include:
- A cover letter, articulating interest and responding to the position challenges and objectives outlined above.
- Curriculum vitae
- Names and contact information for 3-4 professional references.
Applications will be welcomed until the time that a Dean is selected. For guaranteed consideration, candidates should submit materials through the Talent Profile by March 17, 2025.