University of Maine at Machias Dean and Campus Director

The Campus Director and Dean for the University of Maine at Machias is responsible for overseeing and providing leadership in academic affairs and administrative and operational matters on the campus on behalf of the President and Provost.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Leadership

  • Provides dynamic, innovative, and collaborative leadership committed to student equity and success, academic excellence, and resource development for Maine’s coastal university.
  • Enables a highly successful partnership and collaboration as a regional campus of the University of Maine (UMaine).
  • Assists in creating a vibrant intellectual climate while maintaining an atmosphere of mutual trust, enthusiasm, and collegiality within the University community.
  • Initiates and develops productive working relationships with UMaine colleagues in Academic Affairs, Student Life, Facilities, and other areas of responsibility.
  • Encourages the presence and advancement of diversity on campus and supports campus activities that promote the principles expressed in UMM’s Diversity Policy.
  • Fosters and encourages new and effective instructional approaches and academic collaborations, within the campus, with UMaine, and with other University of Maine System campuses to enhance the quality of teaching and learning.
  • Reviews and approves faculty assignments recommended by Division Chairs for all credit courses, consistent with the AFUM/PATFA collective bargaining agreements and the UMM Faculty Handbook.
  • Oversees the process of student evaluation of courses and faculty members according to the procedures outlined in the AFUM/PATFA agreements and the UMM Faculty Handbook.
  • Oversees and participates in evaluation of faculty performance and makes recommendations to the UMaine President and Provost on matters of faculty searches, appointments and reappointments, leaves, promotions, tenure, and salaries, consistent with procedures outlined in the AFUM/PATFA agreements and the UMM Faculty Handbook.
  • In collaboration with Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, develops and promotes a plan for faculty and professional staff development, including the development of leadership in management roles and an orientation program for new faculty.
  • Shares responsibility with UMaine and the University of Maine System for the planning, implementation, and assessment of NECHE and other accreditation-related activities.
  • In collaboration with Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, promotes planning and implementation of campus-wide academic assessment activities.
  • Serves as the Chief Administrative Officer on the campus on behalf of the President.
  • Supports UMM’s Board of Visitors (BOV) through facilitation of meetings, identifying BOV members and implementing recommendations.
  • Enriches partnerships and catalyzes development, crafting a successful vision and plan for institutional advancement in support of UMM’s mission and values.
  • Serves as an engaged member of the external community, leading UMM’s commitment to serve the needs of the citizens of the region and the state of Maine.

Academic Affairs

  • Collaborates with the associate dean for academic affairs, associate registrar, and faculty committees to review and recommend policy in all academic areas; enforce academic standards; recommend criteria for honors; and publish Dean’s List each semester.
  • Works with UMM faculty, the Director of Student Life, the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, and colleagues at UMaine to ensure an effective academic advising program and appropriate support in meeting the needs of students.
  • Works with Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Division Chairs, and academic committees to support the revision of curriculum and teaching methods, and to plan, implement, and assess programs.
  • Collaborates with UMaine colleagues to continue academic integration and coordination.
  • Collaborates with Enrollment Management at UMaine and with UMM’s Admissions Office to increase enrollment at UMM.
  • Facilitates dialogue between faculty and the offices of Student Life, Academic Support, and Admissions to ensure the effectiveness of new student recruitment, orientation and testing, student advising, and placement of students in academic programs.
  • In collaboration with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, enhances academic support and student, faculty, and staff retention coordination efforts.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Campus Operations

  • Meets regularly with all on-site direct and indirect reports to provide oversight and to coordinate campus functioning and operations.
  • Develops and meets regularly with UMM Leadership to coordinate and implement campus events and activities, short and long-range planning, strategic initiatives (in consultation with the President), use of space and long-term planning for campus space.
  • Develops and meets regularly with a UMM Emergency Management Committee to coordinate efforts, planning, protocols, and procedures with local law enforcement, fire department, ambulance services, and others to ensure campus safety.
  • Coordinates with the Director of Facilities to determine campus closures or late starts due to inclement weather or other related issues.

Planning and Budgets

  • Oversees the preparation and monitoring of annual budgets in all areas of responsibility.
  • Oversees the implementation and assessment of strategic planning in all areas of responsibility.
  • Initiates and coordinates short-and long-term academic planning, assessment, and budgeting in cooperation with UMaine leadership, the Division Chairs, and leaders in all other areas of responsibility.
  • Develops institutional priorities and coordinates budget requests with UMaine’s Chief Business Officer and the President.

UMM Representation at UMaine and UM System

  • Serves on UMaine leadership councils, including the President’s Cabinet, to represent UMM.
  • Works with other UMS campuses to establish system-wide course transfer policies, articulation agreements, and general academic standards.
  • Works with other UMS campuses to improve the educational offerings of the System and increase the cooperative efforts among the campuses.
  • Represents UMM to appropriate external groups and individuals, especially those with academic and/or faculty connections, including UMM’s alumni group.
  • Promotes the mission of the campus as one committed to excellence in undergraduate education and to service and contributions to regional, national, and world understanding and well-being.
  • Serves as UMM’s representative on the UMS Chief Academic Officers’ Council.
  • Engages in appropriate consultation and collaboration with UMM faculty when representing UMM to outside partners.

Supervisory Responsibility

The Dean/Director has direct supervisory responsibility for the division chairs, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, and an administrative assistant. They have indirect supervisory responsibility for the Director of Facilities, the Director of Student Life, the Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications, and (on occasion) externally funded, fixed-length staff positions.

Reporting Relationship

Reports directly to the Executive Vice President and Provost of the University of Maine, with dotted line to the University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias President.

About the University

The University of Maine at Machias, a member of the University of Maine System and a regional campus of the University of Maine, sits on the Gulf of Maine, surrounded by rivers, forests, fishing villages, and blueberry barrens. As a public University, UMM faculty and students approach the liberal arts with a focus on environmental and community issues. It includes the Downeast Institute, a marine science field station. This unspoiled portion of the Atlantic coast is known for its outdoor recreational opportunities and quality of life.The academic experience emphasizes learning both in the classroom and in experiential settings. UMM’s twelve undergraduate degree programs serve approximately 750 students with a student-faculty ratio of 14:1. For more information about the University visit Machias.edu.

Required qualifications

  • Master’s degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited institution.
  • At least five years of administrative experience, with progressively more responsibility, including experience supervising Ph.D.-level employees and managing budgets.
  • ​​Professional experience, credentials, and achievements consistent with appointment with tenure at the rank of professor.
  • Evidence of strong, effective communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Record of active commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Evidence of creative ideas for strengthening student, staff, and faculty equity and success,
    academic excellence, and resource development for Maine’s coastal university.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Ph.D. or terminal professional degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited institution.
  • Leadership experience at a small rural college or a rural regional campus.
  • Strong leadership skills that combine decisiveness and flexibility.
  • Creativity and resourcefulness, including the ability to adapt in an environment of rapid change.
  • Ability to work in teams and with varied constituencies to build consensus.
  • Demonstrated commitment to shared governance and to professional development of faculty and staff.
  • Up-to-date knowledge of academic practices, including assessment, pedagogy, educational technology, and experiential learning..
  • Quantitative skills consistent with effective financial management.
  • Familiarity with serving rural populations in higher education.
  • Ability to articulate and implement a strategic vision for growth and success as well as to conduct effective short-term planning.
  • Record of successful involvement in philanthropic fundraising and alumni relations.
  • Understanding of the operations of facilities management, student life, and marketing and communications in a higher education setting.

Other Information

Materials must be submitted via "Apply for Position" below. You will need to create a profile and application upload:

1.) a cover letter which describes your experience, interests, and suitability for the position

2.) a resume/curriculum vitae

3.) contact information for three professional references

You will also need to submit the affirmative action survey, the self-identification of disability form, and the self-identification of veteran status forms. Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.

Although applications will be welcomed until a new dean/director is selected, for best consideration candidates should submit materials by June 27, 2022, when the search committee will begin reviewing applications. Nominations and questions about the position may be directed to the co-chair of the search committee, Dr. Heather Ball,  Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, University of Maine at Machias, heather.ball@maine.edu or 207.255.1381.

Appropriate background checks are required.

The University of Maine is an EEO/AA employer, and does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran’s status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Amie Parker, Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 North Stevens Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME  04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).