Dean, College of Professional Studies

Northeastern University seeks a leader of vision, accomplishment, and intellectual breadth to bring an entrepreneurial and strategic orientation in serving as the new Dean of the College of Professional Studies. The Dean is responsible for sustaining the College’s academic direction and integrity, for directing its fiscal and operational activities, for overseeing the recruitment and development of faculty and staff employees, and for accelerating innovation in curriculum, pedagogy, and program delivery that will further the distinctiveness, reputation, and performance of the College. 

Northeastern University is a leader in worldwide experiential learning and interdisciplinary research, focused on global challenges in health, security, and sustainability. The College of Professional Studies (CPS) serves as an engine for educational innovation at Northeastern, provides continuing-education programs with degree and non-degree offerings across many fields, and works with philanthropic and industry partners to provide lifelong experiential learning opportunities.

Reporting to the Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs, the Dean leads and represents the College to all internal and external stakeholders and is responsible for its reputation, its brand, and all aspects of its operation. The Dean will have the opportunity to actively engage in shaping and planning the future of a full breadth of global offerings. This includes engagement with Regional Deans and CEOs of Northeastern’s network campuses in developing degree programs and offerings that can be accessed across the network. Additionally, the Dean will participate in mapping the future of the Graduate School of Education at Northeastern, commensurate with its ambitions as a research university and the College’s strategic vision of experiential learning.

The Dean also leads the faculty in articulating and refining the vision and mission for the College, setting goals and priorities, and exercising effective management of a diverse academic and administrative workforce. The Dean will maintain and improve CPS’s administrative infrastructure, ensure effective fiscal management, expand the breadth of academic offerings, maximize enrollment, promote diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the College, and develop new and exciting educational modalities. The new Dean will be encouraged to strengthen the College’s online learning capability, and in this area especially has the opportunity to provide leadership in innovation and experimentation that will benefit other Colleges of the University.

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will be creative, entrepreneurial, and interested in exploring the broad opportunities for the College of Professional Studies at Northeastern University. They will know how to realize a vision, and will bring experience envisioning, creating, supporting, and managing new, exciting, and inclusive programs within a dynamic and complex organization. Senior-level management and leadership experience is required, as is a terminal degree.

In addition, the Dean will demonstrate:

  • A can-do spirit combined with a strong team orientation, vision, and a grasp of market dynamics
  • The ability to set goals and priorities and to make and implement tough decisions
  • Excellent management and organizational skills
  • A proven record of accomplishment in academia or in the private sector, including a track record of achieving visibility for successful initiatives
  • An even-handed management style with strong delegation and team-building skills
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout their career, including in supporting and promoting a diverse faculty and/or staff
  • Strategic understanding of the collaborative opportunities that will strengthen the College of Professional Studies within the context of the entire University and an appreciation for the possibilities of leveraging relationships with other Colleges and faculty members within Northeastern
  • An understanding and grasp of budgeting and financial planning, including experience leveraging, developing, managing, and advocating for resources
  • Excellent judgment of the character and potential of people and a proven record of recruiting, mentoring, promoting, and retaining high-performing professionals
  • Appreciation for the breadth and range of disciplines and activities represented within CPS
  • A strong appreciation of the CPS’s mission and accomplishments as a global leader in adult education
  • Disposition and interest to engage in fundraising with alumni, current donors, and future donors and to manage a creative alumni program.

For a full position description, please click here.

TO APPLY

Northeastern University has engaged Opus Partners to assist this search. Craig Smith, Partner; Sarah Gaines, Associate Partner; and Sudeshna Chatterjee, Associate, are managing the search. To seek additional information, nominate qualified candidates, or to apply, please email Sudeshna Chatterjee at sudeshna.chatterjee@opuspartners.net.

Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.