Associate Dean, Liberal Arts, Education & General Studies

Northcentral Technical College • Wausau, WI

13d • Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Dean of the School of Liberal Arts Transfer, Education, & General Studies provides academic and operational leadership in partnership with the Dean. The role advances instructional excellence, faculty development, student success, and continuous improvement. As a member of the School’s leadership team, the Associate Dean supervises assigned faculty and oversees academic programs, curriculum, scheduling, resource management, and daily operations across General Education, University Transfer (Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees), Adult Education, English Language Learning, Alternative High School, and Education programs.

This position collaborates with leaders, faculty, and staff throughout the College to support General Education, instructional quality, and student success. It also partners with the Dean, Transfer Coordinator, and faculty to strengthen transfer pathways, university partnerships, and faculty engagement in transfer initiatives. The Associate Dean uses collaborative, data-informed leadership to advance School and College priorities in alignment with NTC’s mission.

This is an in-person position located on campus in Wausau, Wisconsin. Salary is commensurate with occupational experience and qualifications.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in education, higher education administration, educational leadership, a General Education discipline, or a related field.
• At least 4 years of experience.
• Teaching experience in higher education, preferably at a community or technical college.
• Experience in academic leadership, including faculty supervision, performance management, curriculum development, or program administration.
• Experience with General Education, University Transfer, Adult Education, English Language Learning, Alternative High School, or Education programs.
• Experience with cross-functional collaboration, budgeting, grant development and administration, resource management, and data-informed decision-making to support academic operations and student success.
• Valid Wisconsin driver’s license and ability to meet NTC’s insurance carrier standards.
• Ability to read, write, analyze, and interpret complex documents and present topics to internal and external individuals at all levels.
• Ability to perform complex calculations, make comparisons, and interpret and explain results logically.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw conclusions, and develop resolutions; interpret mathematical or diagrammatic instructions involving abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to perform complex operations in job-specific systems, use advanced functions, manage or customize systems, and create data calculations.
• Ability to understand complex concerns, formulate solutions, and communicate professionally with varied audiences.

Nice To Haves

• Doctoral degree in education, educational leadership, a General Education discipline, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for assigned academic programs and General Education disciplines, supporting high-quality instruction, academic rigor, and alignment with College standards and student needs.
• Lead curriculum development, review, and improvement in alignment with learning outcomes, academic standards, and applicable transfer requirements.
• Evaluate program and course performance using student success data, enrollment trends, assessment results, and other measures to guide continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with faculty and College stakeholders to identify instructional innovation and program improvement opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with Wisconsin Technical College System, Higher Learning Commission, accreditation, and College requirements.
• Support the development, implementation, and evaluation of courses, certificates, programs, and instructional initiatives.
• Supervise, lead, and support assigned full-time and adjunct faculty and staff, setting expectations and fostering accountability and a collaborative, student-centered team environment.
• Lead recruitment, selection, onboarding, evaluation, and performance management processes in collaboration with Human Resources and College leadership.
• Coach, mentor, and support faculty and staff in professional growth, instructional effectiveness, and continuous improvement.
• Work with the Dean to promote consistent expectations, equitable practices, and coordinated leadership across the School.
• Promote faculty engagement, shared decision-making, and participation in School and College initiatives, committees, and improvement efforts.
• Foster an inclusive work environment that values communication, innovation, professional responsibility, and student success.
• Oversee daily academic operations across assigned programs and disciplines and promote efficient processes and effective resource use.
• Lead course scheduling, faculty assignments, and instructional workload planning with faculty and other College departments.
• Manage assigned budgets, monitor expenditures, and make data-informed recommendations about staffing, equipment, instructional resources, and operational needs.
• Coordinate instructional offerings and resource use with academic leaders and College departments across programs and locations.
• Monitor enrollment trends, course capacities, instructional costs, and other operational measures to guide scheduling, staffing, and resource allocation.
• Ensure compliance with College policies, procedures, contractual obligations, and regulatory requirements related to academic operations.
• Identify and implement operational improvements that enhance efficiency, responsiveness, and service to students and faculty.
• Oversee assigned grants, including budget management, compliance, reporting, and grant deliverables; collaborate with College leaders and stakeholders on funding opportunities and grant proposal development.
• Collaborate with academic leaders, Student Services, and other departments to support student access, retention, progression, completion, and academic success.
• Work with faculty and College stakeholders to identify and address barriers to student success and promote inclusive, student-centered learning environments.
• Lead resolution of student concerns and academic issues in a timely, consistent manner and in accordance with College policies and procedures.
• Strengthen collaboration between General Education faculty and occupational program areas so instructional offerings align with program requirements, student needs, and academic pathways.
• Support student recruitment, enrollment, and retention initiatives with Student Services, faculty, and other departments.
• Participate in cross-functional teams, committees, and College initiatives to improve the student experience, institutional effectiveness, and shared outcomes.
• Collaborate with the Dean, Transfer Coordinator, Student Services, and faculty to advance University Transfer and Articulation initiatives and strengthen academic pathways.
• Facilitate faculty engagement in developing, reviewing, and implementing transfer agreements, academic pathways, and related initiatives.
• Build and maintain relationships with university partners, K-12 districts, WTCS colleagues, community organizations, and other educational stakeholders.
• Translate School and College strategic priorities into actionable initiatives and operational improvements.
• Lead assigned projects and initiatives, coordinating faculty, staff, resources, and cross-functional teams to achieve goals and outcomes.
• Represent the School and College on internal and external committees, workgroups, and professional organizations, as appropriate.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries
• Excellent benefits
• Generous paid time off
• Two paid closures for the winter holiday (Christmas–New Year) and summer (week of July 4th), for most full-time positions
• Total Rewards package

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager