Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Full Professor

University of Florida•Gainesville, FL

About The Position

The Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering (HWCOE) invites internal applications for the position of Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives. The Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives serves as a member of the Dean's leadership team and is the College's senior leader responsible for advancing long-range institutional strategy, transformational initiatives, and external partnerships that enhance the College's national and global reputation. Reporting directly to the Dean, this position provides executive leadership in identifying emerging opportunities, developing strategic collaborations, and positioning the College for sustained excellence in research, innovation, and societal impact. The successful candidate will be a visionary, collaborative, and forward-thinking academic leader with demonstrated success in strategic planning, interdisciplinary leadership, and building high-impact partnerships across higher education, industry, government, and national research organizations. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional strategic thinking, sound judgment, outstanding communication skills, organizational leadership, and the ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders while advancing complex institutional initiatives. Working closely with the Dean, department chairs, faculty, university leadership, industry executives, government agencies, and external partners, the Associate Dean will identify and develop transformational opportunities that expand the College's research enterprise, strengthen strategic partnerships, and increase the College's visibility and competitiveness on a national and international scale. This position works collaboratively with the Associate Dean for Research and Innovation to ensure that strategic initiatives are effectively transitioned into sustainable research programs and long-term institutional success. The Associate Dean reports directly to the Dean of the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Engineering or a closely related field
Appointment at the rank of Full Professor
Demonstrated record of scholarly achievement, research excellence, innovation, and academic leadership
Demonstrated interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with faculty, staff, students, university leadership, industry partners, and government agencies.

Nice To Haves

A distinguished record consistent with appointment as a tenured Full Professor.
Demonstrated success leading large multidisciplinary research initiatives and major center proposals.
Experience developing strategic partnerships with industry, federal agencies, and external organizations.
Outstanding leadership, consensus-building, and strategic planning abilities.
Experience leading transformational institutional initiatives that enhance research competitiveness and organizational growth.

Responsibilities

Identify emerging research opportunities and long-range institutional priorities that position the College for future growth and national leadership.
Identifies opportunities, recruits partners, provides executive strategy, positions the HWCOE nationally by leading the development, planning and coordination of major multidisciplinary research center proposals and other high-impact strategic funding opportunities.
Developing executive-level partnerships with industry, federal and state agencies, national laboratories, and other external organizations to advance the College’s strategic initiatives.
Leading the College’s participation in statewide initiatives in areas including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, energy, transportation, aerospace, healthcare technologies, and other emerging fields.
Providing strategic leadership for the College’s research and innovation initiatives at the Jacksonville campus through regional partnerships and long-term planning.
Building interdisciplinary collaborations across the University that address complex societal and technological challenges.
Expanding the College's international visibility by cultivating strategic global partnerships with leading universities, research institutes, government organizations, and industry.
Strengthening innovation ecosystems that support technology translation, workforce development, entrepreneurship, public-private partnerships, and regional economic development.
Help grow the research enterprise to improve college ranking.
Collaborating closely with the Associate Dean for Research and Innovation to align strategic opportunities with operational execution and long-term research growth.