Associate Dean, Academic Affairs

University of New England Career•Portland, ME

About The Position

The Associate Dean, Academic Affairs leads pre-clerkship curriculum and educational strategy, assessment and student success, accreditation compliance, faculty leadership and development, and academic operations. The role advances an integrated, competency-based pre-clerkship curriculum grounded in osteopathic philosophy and works with clinical education leadership to ensure integration across the undergraduate medical education continuum. The Associate Dean also serves on the college leadership team and supports governance, policy development, institutional initiatives, inclusion, collaboration, and mission-driven excellence. The position oversees academic affairs personnel, course directors, and faculty leaders; course scheduling and faculty deployment; academic affairs resources, including budget, facilities, and educational technologies; and partnerships that support curriculum delivery and early clinical learning. Other related duties may be assigned by the Dean.

Requirements

DO or MD degree.
At least five years of leadership experience in undergraduate medical education.
Demonstrated expertise in curriculum design, assessment, and accreditation.
Experience with competency-based medical education and innovative teaching approaches.
Proven leadership in faculty development, student success initiatives, and academic administration.
Demonstrated experience managing others.
Excellent communication, organizational, and strategic planning skills.
Experience managing budgets, personnel, and complex academic operations.

Nice To Haves

COCA accreditation experience preferred.
Experience in osteopathic undergraduate medical education preferred.
National or regional professional leadership experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of an integrated, competency-based pre-clerkship curriculum grounded in osteopathic philosophy.
Ensure vertical and horizontal integration across the undergraduate medical education continuum in collaboration with clinical education leadership.
Advance innovative educational strategies, including interdisciplinary learning and early clinical experiences, and monitor national medical education trends to guide curricular reform.
Oversee program evaluation, student assessment, and continuous quality improvement processes.
Develop and implement strategies to optimize student performance on COMLEX and USMLE licensure examinations.
Align assessment systems with competency-based education and progression standards.
Oversee policies and processes related to student progression, remediation, and academic performance.
Collaborate with student affairs and clinical education to support student well-being, professionalism, and readiness for clinical training.
Lead pre-clerkship education accreditation efforts, including COCA standards compliance and reporting.
Partner with department chairs and senior leadership to recruit, retain, and develop faculty.
Lead faculty development initiatives that promote teaching excellence, educational innovation, and engagement in the academic mission.
Oversee day-to-day academic operations for pre-clerkship education and consistent, high-quality program delivery.
Supervise academic affairs personnel, course directors, and faculty leaders responsible for curriculum implementation.
Manage course scheduling, faculty deployment, and adjunct faculty recruitment.
Collaborate with institutional partners, including the Registrar, CETL, CPC, and CAIPE, to support curriculum delivery and infrastructure.
Manage academic affairs resources, including budget, facilities, and educational technologies.
Contribute to new programs, partnerships, and early clinical learning opportunities.
Serve as a key member of the college leadership team, supporting governance, policy development, and institutional initiatives.
Promote interprofessional education and external partnerships.
Advance a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and mission-driven excellence.
Perform other related duties as assigned by the Dean.