Academic Dean

Pierce Mortuary Colleges•Dallas, TX

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Academic Dean serves as the leader and public face of their respective college, acting as a liaison between students, faculty, staff, top-level leadership, and external stakeholders. The Dean is responsible for developing and nurturing the mission and vision of the department, overseeing academic, budgetary, and administrative functions, and ensuring alignment with the overall mission of the College. The Academic Dean plays a crucial role in maintaining the academic integrity and operational excellence of the College, ensuring that both faculty and students thrive in a supportive and compliant academic environment.

Requirements

Strong understanding of academic planning, budget management, and administrative processes.
Exceptional leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate faculty and staff.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Collaborative and efficient decision-making abilities.
High emotional intelligence, adaptability, and professionalism.
Open-mindedness and a willingness to consider new ideas.
Financial competence and the ability to manage budgets effectively.
Previous experience as a department chair or similar leadership role.
Demonstrated success in developing and implementing academic and student affairs initiatives.
Experience in engaging with external stakeholders and building professional networks.
Strong understanding of the American Board of Funeral Service Education system and standards.
Bachelor’s degree in education or relevant field and currently enrolled in Master’s program; Master’s degree preferred.
Extensive experience in academic administration, with a proven record of leadership in higher education.
Licensed funeral director in the college’s state or the ability to become licensed within 90 days of hire.

Responsibilities

Represent the department to the rest of the college and to external stakeholders, including alumni and professional organizations.
Advocate for the colleges resource requirements to the Campus President and other senior leadership.
Establish and enforce policies, procedures, and standards for faculty, staff, and students.
Ensure compliance with college regulations and accreditation standards.
Lead the planning and development of curricula in collaboration with faculty members.
Oversee the department’s scholarly, and educational activities.
Conduct periodic program reviews and assessment to maintain and enhance academic quality.
Administer instructional programs in compliance with state and accreditation regulations.
Assist with the implementation and oversight of institutional policies and procedures.
Work closely with the college registrar in establishing course schedules for students and faculty.
Develop and manage the departmental budget, ensuring the appropriate allocation of financial resources.
Provide competitive salaries and resources to attract and retain top faculty and staff.
Create and implement hiring plans and oversee the recruitment and hiring of new faculty members and staff.
Foster a positive workplace culture that promotes professional development and collaboration.
Ensure faculty files are created and maintained according to accreditation (institutional, state, and programmatic) and company policies/procedures.
Assign faculty to courses and ensure all faculty follow prescribed curriculum including course objectives, content, timely grading, and hands-on experiences.
Perform annual faculty evaluations.
Develop initiatives to enhance student diversity and support student success.
Nurture a positive learning environment that meets the needs of a diverse student body.
Achieve program goals in attendance, retention, placement, and national board exam pass rates by monitoring program execution and reviewing curricula against market requirements.
Conduct student retention meetings to address academic struggles, attendance, and attitude/skills concerns.
Participate in and coordinate New Student Orientation to ensure students receive necessary information.
Ensure student Satisfactory Academic Progress is documented, maintained, and monitored.
Engage with external stakeholders to enhance the department’s professional image and build strategic partnerships.
Liaise with counterparts at other institutions to share best practices and collaborate on initiatives.
Oversee the preparation and submission of comprehensive programmatic reports to PMC and the institution’s accrediting body (ABFSE).
Ensure that all documentation meets established guidelines, reflects program outcomes, and aligns with accreditation standards.
Collaborate with faculty and staff to gather, analyze, and present data that supports continuous improvement and compliance efforts.