Dean, College of Engineering

The University of Arizona • Tucson, AZ

13h • Onsite

About The Position

The University of Arizona invites applications and nominations for a visionary, strategic leader to serve as Dean of the College of Engineering. The Dean will guide the College into its next era of excellence and impact, serving as its public face and providing academic, financial, and organizational leadership. The role includes advancing excellence in education, research, and practice; recruiting and retaining faculty, staff, and students; promoting interdisciplinary collaboration; developing community relations and local and global partnerships; securing resources through fundraising; and enhancing the College’s reputation.

The Dean will lead a clear, actionable vision that differentiates the College locally, nationally, and internationally. The position oversees College academic programs, operations, and initiatives, and fosters organizational practices and a culture of continuous improvement. The Dean is expected to balance growth and innovation with responsible stewardship, support student persistence and timely graduation, promote ethical research and scholarship, and build relationships across the University and with external partners. The ideal candidate will embody the University’s land-grant mission and commitment to serving Arizona through research, service, and educational excellence.

Requirements

• A terminal degree in a relevant field.
• A distinguished record of academic accomplishment as a tenured professor, or a significant record of accomplishment in industry service.
• Significant experience in academic leadership and administration or industry leadership and administration.
• Significant experience building relationships with external partners, donors, industry leaders, boards, and community stakeholders, including nationally and internationally.
• Strong strategic planning skills and financial management expertise.
• Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills for working with faculty, staff, students, and other stakeholders.
• A forward-looking vision aligned with the College of Engineering’s vision and mission, and the ability to articulate it clearly.

Nice To Haves

• Significant experience in academic leadership and administration within a research university setting.
• Significant experience leading faculty in an interdisciplinary environment and building relationships with alumni.
• Experience running a research lab.

Responsibilities

• Lead a clear and actionable vision that differentiates the College of Engineering from local, national, and international competitors.
• Oversee the College’s academic programs, operations, and initiatives to ensure excellence in instruction and assessment, research, and service.
• Create and maintain organizational structures and practices that advance College goals and foster continuous improvement.
• Provide disciplined financial leadership, balancing growth and innovation with responsible stewardship of College resources.
• Strengthen initiatives that improve student persistence, academic progression, retention, and timely graduation, particularly for students facing academic or financial barriers.
• Promote and support faculty and student research and scholarly activities, ensuring ethical conduct and integrity.
• Build strong relationships with university leadership and colleagues to advance the College’s interests and secure resources and support.
• Serve as the College’s public face and provide innovative and visionary academic leadership.
• Champion recruitment and retention of faculty, staff, and students.
• Promote interdisciplinary collaborations.
• Cultivate community relations and expand local and global partnerships.
• Invest in resource development and fundraising.
• Enhance the reputation of the College of Engineering.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Disability programs
• Paid vacation
• Sick leave
• Paid holidays
• Tuition reduction at the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, and Northern Arizona University for the employee and qualified family members
• Retirement plans
• Access to University of Arizona recreation and cultural activities
• Innovative work-life programs
• Relocation services information is available

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree