DEAN OF THE JEFFERSON COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND SCIENCES, THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY

Jefferson Health Plans•Philadelphia, PA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Thomas Jefferson University (TJU) seeks an innovative, collaborative, and visionary leader to serve as Dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences. The Dean will provide strategic and academic leadership for one of the nation’s most respected institutions. This individual will champion the College's commitment to excellence in the liberal arts, psychology, mathematics, the sciences, and research while cultivating a collaborative culture that promotes innovation and engagement across the University. The College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS) at Thomas Jefferson University focuses on human social interactions and relationships and is committed to making change in the world by combining evidence-based analysis with passionate engagement. It offers both major programs and the Hallmarks Program for General Education. Programs include Psychology, Law & Society, Communication & Media Studies, Biopsychology, and Interdisciplinary Studies. The Hallmarks Program recently received the 2026 Exemplary Program Award by the Association of General & Liberal Studies. Founded in 1824, TJU is a nationally ranked research doctoral university, celebrating two centuries of excellence in higher education, healthcare, and commitment to our community. Nationally recognized for its transdisciplinary collaboration and interprofessional approach to educating its 8,300 students, the University is comprised of 11 colleges and 1 school. As a professions-focused university, TJU prepares students with a forward-thinking and experiential approach to education that blends collaborative real-world learning, industry engagement, and innovation. Reporting to the Provost and Chief Academic Officer for the University, the next Dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences will foster community, continuous learning, and a growth mindset for a diverse faculty. The Dean will be an advocate for education and research and will enhance the visibility of the College, both internally and externally.

Requirements

Doctoral degree required; terminal degree strongly preferred.
Proven record of senior leadership in higher education, preferably in liberal arts, psychology, math, or related fields with an outstanding record of academic accomplishment in teaching and scholarship.
Extensive executive and operational experience within complex academic organizations, including financial and budget management, strategic and operational planning, resource allocation, personnel management, and faculty recruitment. Experience in a senior academic leadership role such as Dean, Associate Dean, Department Chair, or Center Director is strongly preferred.
Demonstrated success in leading transformational organizational change, operationalizing strategic plans, and achieving academic, business, and financial objectives, including building effective and responsive leadership and operational teams.
Demonstrated success in teaching, research, and fundraising, with experience or demonstrated potential in philanthropic cultivation and alumni engagement and stewardship.
Experience fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, interprofessional education and practice, and cross-college partnerships that advance institutional priorities and student success.
A successful track record of leadership in complex, collaborative environments, with the ability to build and sustain high-impact partnerships with faculty, students, alumni, and donors.
Strategic and visionary thinker with the ability to lead through influence, inspiration, and consensus-building.
Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders and represent the College effectively to internal and external audiences.
Deep commitment to student-centered education, inclusive excellence, and academic environments that welcome individuals of diverse backgrounds and perspectives while promoting their full development.

Nice To Haves

Terminal degree strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic direction and oversight for all academic programs within the College, ensuring excellence in teaching, research, and student outcomes.
Support disciplinary, multi-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary research by both faculty and students.
Create a culture that encourages innovative pedagogy and values the scholarship of teaching within or across the disciplines.
Sustain community-oriented research and pedagogy that applies the habits of mind and skills embedded in the liberal arts and sciences to address real-world problems and advocate for social and environmental justice.
Educate students for global citizenship and professional leadership who are prepared for both the challenges and opportunities of global twenty-first century professions.
Maintain an engaged, connected, and supportive academic environment. Communicate direction clearly, generate support during times of change, and provide regular feedback to faculty and staff, including recognition, coaching, and counseling.
Promote faculty wellness initiatives in collaboration with TJU’s Office of Faculty Affairs.
Foster a cohesive and collaborative leadership culture that supports integrity and inclusive excellence. Conduct annual performance reviews, establish and communicate expectations and goals, and nurture leadership development aligned with a formal succession plan to prepare the next generation of academic leaders.
Recruit, mentor, and support a diverse, accomplished, and forward-thinking faculty engaged in teaching excellence and scholarship.
In consultation with program directors and associate deans, facilitate faculty mentorship and development programs that support academic achievement, career advancement, promotion, and tenure, recognizing excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, and service.
Serve as the primary point of contact with TJU’s Office of Faculty Affairs regarding faculty appointments and promotions, in consultation with the Committee on Faculty Affairs.
Champion faculty research, scholarship, and creative activity, including interdisciplinary and applied research initiatives that position the College as a leader. Promote visibility of research outcomes, publications, presentations, and external funding success.
Promote a student-centered, inclusive, and dynamic learning environment that supports student engagement, creativity, professional preparation, and lifelong learning.
Work alongside program directors to ensure academic programs are current. Lead continuous evaluation of program effectiveness, and student learning outcomes in collaboration with the Committee on Academic Outcomes and Assessment.
Champion innovative curriculum design and delivery by integrating experiential learning and applied research to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and adaptability needed to thrive in the future.
Ensure enrollment management strategies align with the College’s mission and student success goals, supporting recruitment, retention, persistence, and timely degree completion.
Advance a culture of interdisciplinary and applied research, fostering collaboration across departments, colleges, and research centers within Thomas Jefferson University.
Partner with other colleges and academic units to develop interdisciplinary programs, shared research initiatives, and collaborative educational experiences that advance institutional priorities and strengthen the University’s academic profile.
Support innovation in research that enhances the College’s regional, national, and global reputation.
Identify the College’s strategic and operational imperatives in consultation with the Provost and Senior Vice President of Finance, and lead the development, implementation, and assessment of a comprehensive strategic and operational plan.
Oversee budgets, accreditation, assessment, and resource allocation, ensuring responsible financial stewardship and alignment with TJU’s mission-based budgeting framework.
Lead the annual budget process, assess financial performance of academic programs, and ensure allowable expenditures are appropriately allocated. Maintain strong management discipline and accountability for performance, including enrollment efficiency, retention, application pipelines, and financial sustainability.
Ensure the College remains financially self-supported through responsible oversight of revenue-generating programs and initiatives.
Lead fundraising and external relations efforts to enhance academic programs, facilities, research, and student opportunities.
Collaborate with TJU’s Office of Institutional Advancement to develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising and development strategy. Cultivate and steward relationships with alumni, donors, corporate partners, foundations, and industry leaders.
Develop and direct alumni engagement initiatives that strengthen lifelong connections to the College and support philanthropy and mentorship.
Serve as an advocate and thought leader for professional and academic education at the local, state, and national levels.
Carry out administrative policies and procedures in accordance with the Bylaws of Thomas Jefferson University.
Represent the College on the Provost’s Council of Deans, Shared Governance Committee, and other University-level committees as requested by the Provost, President, or Board of Trustees.
Contribute actively to University-wide strategic initiatives, institutional collaboration, and mission advancement.

Benefits

medical (including prescription)
supplemental insurance
dental
vision
life and AD&D insurance
short- and long-term disability
flexible spending accounts
retirement plans
tuition assistance
voluntary benefits
tuition discounts at Thomas Jefferson University after one year of full time service or two years of part time service