Associate Dean - Operations, Innovation, and Leadership

University of Maryland Global Campus•Adelphi, MD

52d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Dean for Portfolio Planning & Evaluation provides strategic, data-informed leadership for the planning, evaluation, and continuous improvement of academic programs within an assigned portfolio. Reporting to the Senior Associate Dean, this role serves as the portfolio's chief architect of programmatic relevance, quality assurance, and long-term sustainability, guiding the lifecycle of academic programs. The Associate Dean ensures academic offerings are aligned with institutional strategy, workforce demand, and learner success metrics through the oversight of strategic planning, program review, resource allocation, and performance evaluation. The role also provides direction and supervision to Assistant Deans, Portfolio Directors, Portfolio Managers, and Teaching & Learning Faculty to ensure forward-looking, high-functioning operations and consistent academic standards. Success in this position is measured by the ability to drive programmatic excellence, lead effective planning cycles, cultivate high-performing teams and ensure the ongoing relevance and quality of learning experiences across the portfolio, while remaining responsive to an evolving educational and workforce landscape.

Requirements

Education: Doctorate in Business, Business Administration, or Management from a Business School or College at an accredited institution; in a portfolio-related discipline is highly preferred.
Experience: Demonstrated ability to get things done. Minimum of 5 years of academic leadership experience in higher education, including program management and faculty leadership.

Nice To Haves

Education: Same as required
Experience: Demonstrated experience collaborating with external partners such as industry, professional associations, or community organizations.

Responsibilities

Lead the strategic planning and evaluation of assigned academic programs, in the Marketing, Management, and Health Care Administration department, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and evolving market needs. Use data, labor market intelligence, and institutional strategy to identify growth opportunities and enhancements for long-term impact.
Direct the academic program review process, use data and stakeholder input to conduct evidence-based assessment of program viability, identify improvement opportunities, and ensure compliance with accreditation and learner success standards.
Make informed recommendations on program lifecycle decisions (e.g., launch, revision, suspension, or sunset) to the Senior Associate Dean based on strategic fit and performance metrics.
Oversee the implementation of quality assurance processes, including curriculum reviews, faculty evaluations, and learner experience assessments. Collaborate with the Senior Associate Dean to elevate quality standards and inform operational priorities.
Allocate full-time faculty and staff resources strategically across the portfolio to meet academic needs, balance workloads, and support institutional growth.
Supervise and mentor Assistant Deans, Portfolio Directors, Teaching & Learning Faculty, and Portfolio Managers to ensure coordinated execution and continuous leadership development in the design and delivery of programs.
Interpret and act upon student success data (e.g., persistence, retention, graduation rates) to implement academic interventions and drive improvements in learner outcomes.
Collaborate with curriculum and academic operations units to guide program design, course development, and delivery innovations that enhance teaching and learning. Advocate for innovations that improve engagement and learner outcomes.
Support accreditation, compliance, and institutional effectiveness initiatives by ensuring data integrity and adherence to internal and external standards.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Senior Associate Dean, including supporting the Senior Associate Dean on cross-portfolio initiatives and special academic projects that strengthen program performance or stakeholder engagement.

Benefits

Generous Time Off: Enjoy 22 days of paid vacation, 15 days of sick leave, 3 personal days, and 15 paid holidays (16 during general election years). For part-time employees, time off rates will be prorated based on the number of hours worked.
Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access to health care, medical with vision, dental, and prescription plans for both individuals and families, effective from the 1st of the month following your hire date.
Insurance Options: Term Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, and Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance. Part-time employees working less than 0.5 FTE are not eligible for LTD.
Flexible Spending Accounts: Available for medical and dependent care expenses.
Retirement Plans: Choose between the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) or the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System (MSRPS).
Supplemental Retirement Plans: include 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), and various Roth options. The university does not provide matching funds.
Tuition Remission: Immediate availability for Regular Exempt Staff. Spouses and dependent children are eligible for undergraduate tuition remission after two years of service. NOTE: For part-time employees (at least 50 percent of the time), tuition remission benefits are prorated.

Stand Out From the Crowd

Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.

Upload and Match Resume