Associate Dean for Innovation and Outreach - College of Education

University of Northern Iowa Alumni and Foundation•Lexington, MA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Northern Iowa's College of Education seeks an innovative, entrepreneurial, and collaborative leader to serve as Associate Dean for Innovation and Outreach. Reporting directly to the Dean and serving as a member of the College Leadership Team, the Associate Dean provides leadership for strategic innovation, professional learning, outreach, workforce development, educational entrepreneurship, enrollment-responsive programming, and emerging initiatives that advance the College's mission and long-term sustainability. The Associate Dean serves as the primary leader of EdVantageUNI, the College of Education’s new outward-facing hub for professional learning, educational services, workforce development, continuing education, and innovative programming. Through EdVantageUNI and related initiatives, the Associate Dean develops and scales programs, services, credentials, pathways, and educational opportunities that expand the College’s reach and impact, respond to emerging educational and workforce needs, and generate sustainable resources to support the College’s mission. The Associate Dean collaborates closely with academic departments, Centers of Excellence, faculty, staff, students, and university partners to identify opportunities for growth and innovation while supporting the College's strategic priorities related to enrollment, outreach, educator preparation, professional learning, and financial sustainability. The successful candidate will build and expand a visible, mission-driven portfolio of educational programs, services, and strategic external partnerships; connect College and university expertise with emerging educational and workforce needs; grow the reach and impact of EdVantageUNI; establish sustainable models for emerging initiatives; and position the College as a responsive partner in professional learning, educational services, workforce development, and continuing education. This is a full-time, 12-month Academic Administrator appointment, starting on July 1, 2027.

Requirements

Earned doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution in education or related field required.
Qualifications consistent with appointment as a tenured associate professor or professor in any discipline within the COE
Significant and progressively responsible leadership experience in higher education, PK–12 education, workforce development, or a related setting
Demonstrated success developing and implementing strategic initiatives, innovative programs, professional learning, or outreach activities
Experience managing budgets, personnel, projects, and organizational change
Demonstrated ability to build partnerships and collaborate across organizational units and stakeholder groups
Experience securing or managing grants, contracts, or other externally funded initiatives
Strong communication, strategic planning, and organizational skills required.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing and scaling educational programs, services, or initiatives that demonstrate impact and financial sustainability
Experience leading professional learning (preferably in educator preparation), continuing education, credentialing, or educational outreach initiatives
Experience with charter school authorization, governance, accountability systems, or related educational policy
Experience with workforce development programs, registered apprenticeships, or Department of Labor initiatives
Experience supporting or leading centers of excellence, institutes, or specialized educational centers
Demonstrated success building strategic external partnerships that expand educational opportunities, enrollment, and organizational impact preferred.

Responsibilities

Leads strategic innovation and emerging initiatives across the College of Education, fostering an entrepreneurial approach to educational programming, outreach, and partnerships; oversees EdVantageUNI and the College's portfolio of professional learning, continuing education, credentials, endorsements, and educational services; develops, implements, and scales externally facing educational programs, services, and pathways that respond to emerging educational, workforce, and community needs; pursues and supports externally funded initiatives, including Department of Labor opportunities, workforce development programs, registered apprenticeships, grants, and contracts; establishes and grows mission-aligned educational programs and services that expand the College's impact, enrollment, and financial sustainability; coordinates initiatives across academic departments and supports the development, growth, and sustainability of the College's Centers of Excellence; builds strategic external partnerships with schools, employers, community organizations, and other stakeholders to expand educational opportunities and services; supports the development and implementation of the College's charter school authorizing responsibilities, including policy, procedures, accountability, and oversight infrastructure; and provides strategic leadership for special projects and initiatives assigned by the Dean.