Dean, Academic Affairs and Strategic Initiatives

South Orange County Community College District•Irvine, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Dean of Academic Affairs and Strategic Initiatives provides collegewide leadership in academic planning, curriculum development, enrollment management, accreditation, and institutional initiatives that strengthen student access, success, and completion. Reporting to the Vice President for Instruction, the Dean promotes integration across instructional and student services areas and ensures effective academic operations, high-quality programs, and alignment with district, college, and California Community Colleges strategic plans. The role leads strategic initiatives and supports curriculum coordination, scheduling, catalog production, faculty workload management, community education, and cross-college enrollment planning. The Dean works with academic divisions, support areas, and student services to create coherent educational experiences from entry through completion. The position also oversees assigned budgets and personnel, supports accreditation and institutional effectiveness, and participates in college and district governance and committees. The position requires a master’s degree in any discipline and at least four years of successful higher-education leadership and administrative experience, including two years managing initiatives, enrollment management, or institutional-effectiveness projects. An earned doctorate is desirable. The work is primarily in a standard office setting, with frequent contact with faculty, staff, students, and community partners, and attendance at campus, district, and community meetings. The Dean must be able to travel to off-campus sites and meetings. The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; evening and weekend hours may also be required based on operational needs.

Requirements

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in any discipline.
At least four years of demonstrable successful leadership and administrative experience in higher education.
At least two years managing initiatives, enrollment management, or institutional-effectiveness projects.
Commitment to equity and diversity, including demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff.
Ability to advocate for equitable access, inclusion, and student achievement across diverse populations.
Ability to analyze data and translate findings into actionable student-success strategies.
Ability to build consensus and maintain collegial relationships with faculty, classified professionals, students, and administrators.
Effective oral and written communication with diverse constituencies.
Leadership, management, supervision, and team-building skills.
Ability to develop and administer budgets and manage resources effectively.
Ability to interpret and ensure compliance with district policies and applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
Ability to lead and coordinate complex academic operations across departments and plan, implement, and evaluate strategic initiatives.
Ability to operate computer applications, including database, spreadsheet, word-processing, and learning-assistance-related software.
Ability to prepare reports and recommendations, resolve conflicts, and represent the college professionally.
Knowledge of the California Community College system, Title 5, Education Code, and ACCJC accreditation standards.
Knowledge of enrollment management systems, faculty workload processes, and scheduling methodologies.
Knowledge of higher education administration, curriculum development, assessment, strategic planning, institutional effectiveness, and data-informed decision-making.
Knowledge of supervision, training, performance evaluation, budget development, resource management, and grant processes.
Ability to sit or stand for extended periods, communicate effectively in person and electronically, operate office equipment, and travel to off-campus sites and meetings.

Nice To Haves

An earned doctorate.
At least three years of postsecondary teaching or academic service.
Demonstrated experience in data-informed decision-making, cross-functional collaboration, and strategic planning.
Administrative experience in curriculum development, class scheduling, enrollment management, and catalog production.
Demonstrated success developing, implementing, and assessing strategic or institutional initiatives that improve student outcomes.
Experience integrating academic affairs with student-success initiatives through Guided Pathways or related frameworks.
Familiarity with accreditation standards, Title 5 and Education Code regulations, and California Community College system policies.
Evidence of leadership in cross-college collaboration, data analytics, and innovation.
Strong understanding of technology-enhanced instruction, online learning quality standards, and digital tools for institutional effectiveness.
Excellent communication, facilitation, and consensus-building skills across constituent groups.
Capacity to manage multiple complex projects and deadlines with diplomacy, patience, and cultural competence.
Knowledge of Canvas and/or other learning management systems and instructional and student-services software.
Knowledge of innovative teaching and learning, digital education, and pathways that drive economic and social mobility.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership in academic affairs, including curriculum coordination, class schedule and catalog preparation, and faculty workload management.
Oversee enrollment management activities with instructional deans, chairs, and the enrollment management team; establish, monitor, and evaluate enrollment targets.
Ensure academic compliance with local, state, and federal policies, Title 5, Education Code, and accreditation standards.
Support development of annual academic calendars with faculty, classified professionals, and district departments.
Coordinate academic course offerings at off-campus sites, including high schools, community centers, and partnership locations.
Lead and assess collegewide strategic initiatives, including strategic planning, Guided Pathways, student success, equity, and access initiatives.
Collaborate with Institutional Research and other units to translate data and analysis into actionable insights.
Develop communication strategies for initiative updates, policy and procedure changes, and accomplishments.
Engage administrators, faculty, and classified professionals to keep initiatives on schedule and achieve intended outcomes.
Collaborate with the Vice President for Student Services to align instructional and student-success strategies supporting equitable outcomes.
Serve as administrative liaison to the Curriculum Committee and its technical subcommittees.
Support timely and accurate preparation of class schedules, faculty teaching assignments, and workload reports.
Support program review, curriculum compliance, and ACCJC accreditation planning and reporting.
Oversee preparation of the college catalog and maintain accurate, consistent, and current program information and academic policies.
Assess and coordinate use of classrooms, laboratories, and learning spaces to optimize enrollment capacity.
Participate in facilities user groups and provide input on capital projects affecting academic programs.
Prepare, administer, and monitor assigned budgets; ensure fiscal accountability and effective resource use.
Identify grant and external funding opportunities that advance academic and strategic priorities.
Train, supervise, and evaluate assigned faculty and staff; ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements and district policy.
Promote professional excellence through collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Serve on college and district committees, councils, and task forces and support participatory governance.
Maintain currency in higher education trends, data analytics, online learning, and education technology.
Perform other assigned duties supporting the position’s objectives and the District’s mission.
Report to work regularly and consistently as scheduled.