Main Campus - Boston, MA
R08781
Located in Boston's historic Fenway area, Simmons has a strong tradition of empowering women and challenging traditional gender roles. Simmons University was one of the first higher education institutions to prepare women to become leaders and has evolved to become a university offering a women's undergraduate program and graduate programs open to all. You're joining our community at an especially exciting time as one of our strategic goals is to become the most inclusive campus in New England. You'll find that people who work here are truly committed to our mission of preparing students to become champions of social justice and leaders in their professions and their communities. This commitment and pride make for a dynamic workplace. Simmons University is committed to inclusive excellence in all aspects of an individual's community experience.
The Natural and Behavioral Sciences faculty and staff in the College of Natural, Behavioral, and Health Sciences (CNBHS) are passionate learners, educators, and researchers dedicated to providing the theoretical knowledge and interactive, hands-on learning to empower our students to become research-empowered global citizens, with the skills and experience to thrive in their careers and in our complex world. Our location in Boston's renowned medical area and proximity to its expanding biomedical industry provides unparalleled student experience and extracurricular learning for our campus-based students. We are guided by values of social justice, teamwork, compassion and excellence, and we embrace Simmons' tradition of science and practice for the social good. We are a University community that embraces working collaboratively and across disciplines to solve problems and advance learning and research. For more information, please go to our College of Natural, Behavioral, and Health Sciences webpage .
As a University committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Simmons encourages applications from all under-represented groups. Simmons is committed to creating, developing, promoting, and enhancing inclusive hiring practices-at all levels, for all positions-ensuring diverse talent pools and the delivery of a consistent positive candidate experience. Simmons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to continuing to develop a more diverse faculty, staff, student body, and curriculum.
Job Summary
The Associate Dean (AD) is responsible for the coordination and oversight of the Natural and Behavioral Sciences (NBS) within the College. The AD provides leadership in the planning, organizing, and managing services for academic and student support. The AD works in tandem with the Dean of the College to ensure seamless integration of academic and operational systems and serves as a representative of NBS with external constituents.
The AD position is a 12-month, Boston-based administrative role that will hold faculty rank. Anticipated start date is July 1, 2023.
Curriculum Management Responsibilities
Oversee NBS academic programs in collaboration with Dean, Department Chairs, Program Directors, and coordinators
Devise, monitor and maintain academic policies with the NBS
Provide leadership in NBS curriculum matters
Guide faculty leaders in the development of new programs
Review, evaluate, and manage course offerings and course size
Promote development of interdisciplinary curricula and research
Advocate and support faculty and students in research and scholarship activities
Coordinate and lead faculty mentoring and faculty development programs
Oversee adherence to professional standards and best practices, in consultation with Department Chairs, Program Directors, and coordinators
In consultation with Department Chairs, assure that requirements for NBS accreditation are being met
Lead and coordinate NBS accreditation and/or board approval activities
Oversee the development and implementation of program evaluation plans in each academic unit
Administrative Responsibilities
Ensure welfare of NBS through managing and planning budget in coordination with Operations Director and Dean for academic departments
Monitor faculty workload to ensure compliance with University policies and College needs
Provide leadership in creating conditions conducive to the improvement of the overall infrastructure of the NBS through the development of effective systems and processes within the College
Coordinate and facilitate NBS meetings
Maintain active, responsive, and positive communication with faculty, staff, Chairs, Directors and other University members
Provide leadership in supporting the PLAN curriculum initiatives within the NBS, College, and University
Assist the Dean with the development of a culture of quality, trust, and accountability
Work with academic departments, Director of Operations, and Dean to strengthen, coordinate, integrate, and implement strategic goals established by the College
Advocate for equitable allocation of capital resources required to support faculty scholarship and student learning objectives consistent with professional standards and best practices (laboratory facilities, instrument facilities, software, professional development, etc.)
College Management Responsibilities, Including Student-Facing
Serve as a resource to liaise with Student Affairs, Accessibility Services, Office of Advising, Career Education Center, the Associate Provost and Dean of the Undergraduate Program, and other key University offices
Assist faculty leaders with complex student issues
Working with Undergraduate programs to coordinate student success initiatives as appropriate for the NBS and College
Advocate for and facilitate a systematic equitable undergraduate research program for students and faculty across departments and programs in collaboration with Department Chairs and Program Directors
Collaborate with the Operations team in providing leadership for programming, special events and ceremonies, graduation celebrations
Collaborate with the Dean and faculty leaders in College wide strategic planning as well as that of individual departments and programs within the NBS
Collaborate with the Dean, Operations Director, Associate Deans and faculty leaders in the College to streamline operations management
Participate in the development of strong campus and community partnerships
Provide visionary leadership for the NBS and grant funded educational initiatives and partnerships
Participate (with Dean and faculty leaders) in recruitment and enrollment management of students
Promote innovative, interdisciplinary research and courses that support new programs and disciplines
Faculty Management Role
Oversee the NBS faculty hiring processes (in collaboration with Operations Director, Dean, HR, and the Provost's Office), working with Department Chairs and Program Directors to promote consistency and policy compliance, strong candidate pools, and success in the hiring of tenure and non-tenure stream, clinical, and adjunct faculty
In concert with the Dean, manages and coordinates the NBS faculty review processes, including annual, mid-point, tenure, promotion, voucher, and post tenure reviews.
Work with academic leadership in relation to sensitive faculty dismissal processes when necessary
Provide leadership and promotes professional development within the faculty of the College
Other Responsibilities
Serve as a formal communication link between the NBS, College, University, and external constituents including but not limited to employers, alumni, donors, clinical partners, and professional associations
Support initiatives to promote Women-Centered Science at Simmons University at national and international levels
Advance the role and presence of women and minorities in STEM
Act as Dean's representative internally and externally in the Dean's absence
Assume other duties as assigned by Dean
Qualifications/Skills
Graduate degree in a natural and/or behavioral sciences discipline required
Doctorate Degree required in one of the areas of responsibility or related field
5-10 years of experience as faculty in one of the areas of responsibility or related field
3-5 years of experience leading and coordinating the work of faculty and academic departments
Previous experience building and managing a budget required
Creative problem solver
Strong and effective communicator
Ability to motivate and build consensus among faculty
Committed team player and collaborates with other Associate Deans of the College, Director of Operations, and Dean
Required Application Materials: Interested candidates should submit the following materials electronically: (1) a cover letter including key qualifications for the position and relevant interests, (2) a current CV, (3) a diversity statement that reflects your views and positions on aspects of diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education and relevant administrative insights, (4) contact information for at least three professional references (references will not be contacted until later in the search process and only upon notification and request).
Applications will be reviewed by the Committee upon receipt, and the deadline for consideration is October 15, 2022. Contact Search Committee Chair, Dr. Paul R. Geisler, EdD, ATC at geislerp@simmons.edu for further information.
Salary Grade
S11
Instructions to Applicants : Please upload all applicable application materials (e.g. resume/cv, cover letter, writing sample, teaching philosophy, etc.) in the Application Materials box on page 2 ("My Experience") of this application. Documents can be uploaded individually or as a combined document (e.g. PDF).
Simmons University is committed to inclusive excellence in all aspects of an individual's community experience. As a university committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Simmons encourages applications from all under-represented groups. Simmons is committed to creating, developing, promoting, and enhancing inclusive hiring practices-at all levels, for all positions-ensuring diverse talent pools and the delivery of a consistent positive candidate experience. Simmons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to continuing to develop a more diverse faculty, staff, student body, and curriculum.
To apply, visit https://simmons.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Simmons-Careers/job/Main-Campus---Boston-MA/Associate-Dean-of-Natural-and-Behavioral-Sciences--College-of-Natural--Behavioral--and-Health-Sciences_R08781
Located in Bostons historic Fenway area, Simmons College is a small, private, non-sectarian College which has educated students for enriching careers and purposeful lives since 1899. Working at Simmons means joining a collaborative, diverse and mission-driven community of educators and professionals.
We prepare students to be leaders for themselves, their communities and the world. Our faculty and staff members lead by example - sharing a commitment to excellence and putting the students first.