Dean of College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences

University of Maine System•Orono, ME

6d•$250,000 - $275,000

About The Position

The University of Maine seeks a Dean to serve as chief executive officer of the College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences (ELH), reporting to the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. The dean will build on the college’s strengths in research, public engagement, and student success and help address challenges including environmental sustainability, climate resilience, public health, food systems, and natural resource stewardship. The college serves more than 2,700 students, has more than 160 faculty members, offers 24 undergraduate, 24 master’s, and 16 doctoral programs, and supports more than $25 million in annual research activity. The successful candidate will be a visible, collaborative, and transparent leader who can bring together diverse disciplines and constituencies around a shared direction. The dean will champion excellence in research, teaching, and service; advocate for the college within the university and with external partners; strengthen organizational capacity and long-term sustainability; support employee well-being and succession planning; and ensure faculty and staff have resources to advance the college’s mission and strategic priorities. The role offers an opportunity to advance UMaine’s Strategic Re-Envisioning goals and reinforce the university’s role as Maine’s premier public research institution. Depending on the successful candidate’s qualifications, the President may also appoint the dean as director of the Maine Agriculture and Forest Experiment Station. Appointment of the director is completed in consultation with the Maine Board of Agriculture, as required by state law. The anticipated salary range is $250,000 to $275,000, with final compensation commensurate with experience, qualifications, and leadership accomplishments.

Requirements

Doctorate related to the disciplines represented in the college, with credentials and experience to qualify for the rank of professor with tenure in a discipline within the college.
Ability to work effectively with academic, business, health care, biomedical, agricultural, environmental science, natural resource, and tourism constituencies.
Experience with interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research and programming.
Record of effective administrative leadership, including personnel and budget management.
Demonstrated commitment to staff and student support.
Demonstrated effectiveness in acquiring public and private resources to develop and expand strong programs.
Experience with federal agencies such as NSF, NIH, USDA, USEPA, USGS, NOAA, and NASA.

Nice To Haves

Major accomplishments in teaching, research, professional service, and public service.
Knowledge of the mission and responsibilities of a land, sea, and space grant institution.
Documented ability to work effectively with state and federal congressional delegations.
Experience marketing academic programs and recruiting students.

Responsibilities

Oversee the college’s administrative and physical portfolio, including schools, departments, research centers, and facilities, fostering excellence in teaching, research, and service.
Manage the college’s financial and human resources to align with UMaine’s strategic initiatives and strengthen financial sustainability.
Foster a supportive working culture for faculty, staff, and students.
Ensure sustainable, relevant, and impactful academic programs for undergraduate and graduate students.
Ensure sustainable, relevant, and impactful research programs that include undergraduate and graduate students.
Partner with other UMaine units to increase programmatic impact, particularly in state priority areas.
Represent the college within UMaine and to governmental and non-governmental external stakeholders.
Leverage fundraising and engagement opportunities to strengthen the college’s value and catalyze stakeholder partnerships.
Strengthen organizational capacity, support employee well-being and succession planning, and ensure faculty and staff have the resources to advance the college’s mission and priorities.
Build trust, strengthen the college’s long-term sustainability, and unite the community around a shared vision.