Dean College of Natural Sciences

Grand Canyon University • Phoenix, AZ

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Grand Canyon University! One of Arizona’s leading institutions of higher learning. Located in the Valley of the Sun in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona, GCU is a regionally accredited, private, nondenominational Christian University. The Dean of the College of Natural Sciences provides strategic, academic, and operational leadership for all programs, faculty, and initiatives within the College. This role advances academic excellence, fosters a Christ-centered learning community, and drives innovation and growth aligned with the mission and vision of Grand Canyon University. GCU is a missional, Christ-centered university with an innovative and adaptive spirit that addresses the world’s deep needs by cultivating compassionate Christian community, empowering free and virtuous action and serving others in ways that promote human flourishing. Through academic excellence, the university equips students with knowledge of the Christian worldview, instilling in them a sense of purpose and vocational calling that enables them to be innovative thinkers, effective communicators, global contributors and transformative leaders who change their communities by placing the interests of others before their own. The Dean operates at a strategic leadership level, ensuring that academic, operational, and student success systems are effectively led through a distributed, centralized, shared-services model. The Dean sets vision, direction, ensures accountability, and removes barriers to execution while empowering leaders across curriculum, operations, and faculty performance. The Dean is expected to lead sustainable enrollment growth across ground and online modalities through strategic program development, market alignment, and effective collaboration with university partners. Location: Main Campus, 33rd and Camelback What you will do:

Requirements

• Doctoral degree in a relevant discipline
• Significant leadership experience in higher education
• Demonstrated success in academic program development, assessment, and faculty leadership
• Experience working within complex organizational structures or partnerships
• Strong strategic, organizational, and leadership skills
• Must be able to pass pre-employment background check
• Provide a positive example to students by supporting the University’s Doctrinal Statement, Ethical Position Statement and Mission of Grand Canyon University.

Nice To Haves

• Experience leading large, multi-program academic units
• Experience with online and hybrid program delivery
• Background in healthcare or science program development
• Experience collaborating with external service providers or OPM partners
• Evidence of scholarly or professional contributions

Responsibilities

• Christ-Centered Leadership & Community Promote and model a Christ-centered worldview in all aspects of leadership, decision-making, and faculty engagement
• Foster a strong sense of community and shared purpose among faculty, staff, and students
• Support the development and integration of Christian character and professional virtue education, associated with healthcare and science professions
• Encourage integration of faith and learning across curriculum, instruction, and student engagement Strategic Leadership, Innovation & Growth
• Lead program innovation and expansion, including online, general education and pre-requisites (ABSN), bridges, AI integration, free enterprise integration, and other emerging program opportunities
• Support the University’s commitment to growth with quality programs, ensuring scalability without compromising academic standards Academic Excellence & Accreditation
• Ensure the integrity, rigor, and consistency of all academic programs
• Provide executive oversight of curriculum, instruction, and assessment within the greater university systems
• Ensure programs meet/maintain accreditation and regulatory standards
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement; assessments lead to measurable actions resulting in improved learning outcomes and increased retention
• Support scholarly activity, student-focused research, program recognition, and opportunities for institutional visibility and impact Leadership & Organizational Effectiveness
• Establish clear ownership, accountability, and performance expectations
• Ensure alignment between curriculum, faculty execution, operations, and student outcomes
• Build shared-services systems with other colleges and university departments that promote efficiency, transparency, and reliability at scale Faculty Leadership & Development
• Ensure effective faculty oversight through Assistant Deans, including performance, engagement, and accountability
• Promote instructional excellence, pedagogical development, and innovation in teaching
• Support faculty in integrating faith, learning, and professional preparation
• Foster a culture of continuous growth, mentorship, and academic professionalism Operational Stewardship & Resource Management
• Provide oversight of college budget, resource allocation, and financial performance within university expectations
• Ensure responsible stewardship of resources aligned with institutional priorities Student Success & Outcomes
• Use university systems to track and analyze student retention, performance, progression, engagement, and graduation
• Support a coordinated, data-informed approach to student success and intervention strategies External Relations & Institutional Alignment
• Serve as the primary representative of the College to university leadership, accrediting bodies, and external partners
• Support enrollment, marketing, and outreach initiatives in collaboration with internal departments and service partners leveraging the centralized, shared-services model

Benefits

• Exceptional workplace benefits include medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, a 401K savings plan
• Generous time off plan and 11 paid holidays
• Paid time off to volunteer in the community or at GCU sponsored events
• Free covered parking
• We also offer full-time employees, their spouses, and dependent children an Education Tuition Discount Program
• Free on-site gyms on campus

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees