Dean, School of Business and Management

Servant•Azusa, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Azusa Pacific University (APU) is a comprehensive evangelical Christian university committed to developing disciples and scholars who impact the world for Christ. Founded in 1899, APU integrates rigorous academics with a deep and enduring faith commitment. APU is recognized by U.S. News & World Report and is consistently ranked among America's Best Colleges. The university offers over 100 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. APU seeks employees who desire to contribute to its thriving culture by cultivating community, demonstrating lifelong learning, and modeling Christ-like character. The School of Business and Management (SBM) Dean serves as the chief academic and administrative leader, reporting to the Provost. The Dean provides leadership for faculty development, academic programs, curriculum innovation, accreditation, strategic planning, budget stewardship, and student success, all while advancing the University's Christ-centered mission. The Dean will collaborate with dean peers, identify cross-disciplinary curricular engagement opportunities, and work with external partners. The Dean will also work closely with campus partners like Enrollment Management, Marketing, and Advancement to support enrollment growth, expand industry engagement, and enhance the School's reputation. This role is an opportunity for a visionary, faith-driven leader to shape the School's future and prepare students for leadership with excellence, integrity, and servant-heartedness. Graduates will develop professional competence, ethical leadership, humility, wisdom, and the ability to lead organizations with purpose and integrity, grounded in APU's Christian mission.

Requirements

An earned doctorate in business, management, technology, or a closely related discipline is preferred. Candidates should possess scholarly accomplishments consistent with appointment as a full professor.
Candidates holding a master's degree with exceptional executive leadership experience, significant professional accomplishments, and demonstrated success leading complex organizations may also be considered.
Demonstrated success leading academic programs, faculty, curriculum development, assessment, accreditation, strategic planning, and organizational improvement.
A demonstrated commitment to Christian higher education and the integration of faith into leadership, teaching, scholarship, and community life.
A transparent, approachable leadership style with the ability to build trust, lead through shared governance, and collaborate effectively across diverse stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Experience building relationships with industry partners and employers.
Experience collaborating with advancement, fundraising, or philanthropic initiatives.
Experience supporting enrollment growth strategies.
Executive leadership experience outside traditional higher education environments.
Understanding of emerging trends shaping business education, technology, and workforce needs.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership for the academic direction of the School of Business and Management.
Ensure academic programs maintain excellence through effective curriculum development, assessment, accreditation, continuous improvement, and alignment with workforce needs.
Lead efforts to prepare students for the future of business by incorporating emerging technologies, data-informed decision-making, innovation, entrepreneurship, and ethical leadership.
Champion the thoughtful integration of Christian faith throughout the student experience by ensuring curricular and co-curricular programs reflect biblical principles, ethical leadership, stewardship, and Christ-centered decision-making.
Foster an academic culture where faith informs scholarship, leadership, and professional practice.
Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain exceptional faculty committed to excellence in teaching, scholarship, and faith integration.
Create a collaborative academic culture that supports faculty success, interdisciplinary and external partnerships, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Advance student success through high-impact learning experiences that connect classroom learning with professional practice.
Expand opportunities including: Internships, Consulting projects, Simulations, Competitions, Employer engagement opportunities.
Continue strengthening signature initiatives including: ZuVenturez, Transformative Talks, Student Investment Club, Meet the Firms, Study Abroad and Study Away Programs.
Ensure graduates are prepared to lead successful careers and lives of faithful impact.
Develop and execute a strategic vision for the School of Business and Management that advances academic excellence, innovation, enrollment sustainability, and long-term institutional impact.
Assess opportunities for growth while responding to evolving workforce needs, changing business models, and emerging trends in business education.
Provide sound fiscal stewardship and operational leadership through effective budgeting, resource management of University and donor funds, personnel leadership, and continuous improvement.
Ensure the School operates effectively while responsibly stewarding university resources.
Partner with Admissions, Marketing, and university leadership to strengthen enrollment strategies, recruitment pipelines, and awareness of APU's distinctive Christ-centered business education.
Support outreach efforts with prospective students, high schools, churches, Christian organizations, and community partners.
Represent the School with alumni, employers, professional organizations, and faith-based communities.
Collaborate with the Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships and University Advancement to cultivate relationships that support: Employer partnerships, Experiential learning opportunities, Alumni engagement, Philanthropic initiatives, Industry connections.
Encourage faculty scholarship and thought leadership that advances business education, ethical leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, and emerging business practices.
Support opportunities for faculty and students to contribute meaningful research and industry impact.
Cultivate a learning environment that values diverse perspectives, backgrounds, experiences, and ideas while fostering an academic culture rooted in Christian hospitality, respect, opportunity, and excellence.