What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Dean of Nursing position at Merrimack College?
Position Description
The Department of Nursing seeks to hire a collaborative, dynamic and highly professional nurse leader to serve as the Associate Dean of Nursing in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences. This is a 12-month position in the Department of Nursing. The Associate Dean supports the Dean in advancing the mission, vision, and strategic goals of the nursing program, ensuring academic excellence, regulatory compliance, and student success. The ideal candidate should be highly experienced and skilled in nursing academia. The Associate Dean will report to the Dean and is responsible for the oversight and development of the nursing faculty, set course schedules, participate in department and College governance, contribute to curriculum and policy review and revision, teach in courses or conduct research (tenured candidates) based upon expertise, assist in ensuring the programs are meeting state regulatory and national accreditation standards. Merrimack College seeks candidates with a demonstrated ability to work with colleagues and students across a broad range of social and personal identities and perspectives.
The Department of Nursing is housed in the state-of-the-art Nursing Center at Merrimack College. This space includes 7 simulation labs, a classroom; 2 debrief rooms, faculty offices and large student collaborative spaces.
Key Duties/Responsibilities
Statement on Our Mission
Merrimack College is a Catholic Augustinian institution of higher education committed to building an accepting and respectful community. Our mission is to enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives and is inspired by our Catholic faith and the Augustinian tradition of seeking truth through inquiry and dialogue.
Merrimack College seeks candidates who understand, respect, and can contribute to Merrimack’s Catholic and Augustinian mission. All candidates should describe in their application how they will foster a culture that supports our mission.
About Merrimack College
The only Catholic, Augustinian institution of higher education in New England, Merrimack College is a private, independent, coeducational institution with more than 4,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students from 46 states and 45 countries. The College features more than 160 career-focused academic programs in science, engineering, business, nursing, health sciences, education, social sciences and humanities across undergraduate, professional and graduate programs, all taught by exceptional faculty who are passionate about their subject and student success. The College has six schools: arts and sciences, engineering and computational sciences, nursing and health sciences, education and social policy, the Girard school of business, and the Graduate School of counseling and social work. The College’s suburban 220-acre campus is just north of Boston in North Andover, Massachusetts. Merrimack is a Professions-focused, Undergraduate/Graduate-Master’s Large/Medium institution in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Merrimack is one of the fastest-growing educational institutions in the country and has steadily climbed up in the U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of Best Colleges, ranking 37th in the Regional Universities North category in 2025. Merrimack is a NCAA Division I athletic institution.
Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The Department of Nursing seeks to hire a collaborative, dynamic and highly professional nurse leader to serve as the Associate Dean of Nursing in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences. This is a 12-month position in the Department of Nursing. The Associate Dean supports the Dean in advancing the mission, vision, and strategic goals of the nursing program, ensuring academic excellence, regulatory compliance, and student success. The ideal candidate should be highly experienced and skilled in nursing academia. The Associate Dean will report to the Dean and is responsible for the oversight and development of the nursing faculty, set course schedules, participate in department and College governance, contribute to curriculum and policy review and revision, teach in courses or conduct research (tenured candidates) based upon expertise, assist in ensuring the programs are meeting state regulatory and national accreditation standards. Merrimack College seeks candidates with a demonstrated ability to work with colleagues and students across a broad range of social and personal identities and perspectives.
The Department of Nursing is housed in the state-of-the-art Nursing Center at Merrimack College. This space includes 7 simulation labs, a classroom; 2 debrief rooms, faculty offices and large student collaborative spaces.
Key Duties/Responsibilities
- Academic Leadership
- Work in Collaboration with the Dean advancing the mission and vision of the Department, School and College.
- Support faculty in implementing evidence-based teaching practices and integrating technology into instruction.
- Work in Collaboration with Program Directors and faculty assessing student learning outcomes and promoting strategies to enhance retention, progression, and graduation rates.
- Faculty Development & Supervision
- Recruit, mentor, and evaluate nursing faculty.
- Facilitate professional development opportunities, including scholarly activities, continuing education, and leadership training.
- Administration & Operations
- Assist in budget preparation, resource allocation, and strategic planning.
- Collaborate with academic and administrative departments to ensure effective program delivery.
- Accreditation & Compliance
- Work with nursing leadership and faculty to ensure compliance with regulatory agencies, licensing bodies, and accreditation requirements.
- Assist in the preparation of reports, self-studies, and documentation for program review and accreditation visits.
- Other duties as assigned by the Dean
- Doctoral degree is required, PhD or research doctorate required for tenured candidates.
- Current/unencumbered Massachusetts state RN license.
- Qualify for minimum Academic appointment of Associate Professor (tenured) or Full Clinical Professor (non-tenure track)
- Outstanding record of professional service commensurate with career stage.
- A curriculum vitae.
- Contact information for three references.
Statement on Our Mission
Merrimack College is a Catholic Augustinian institution of higher education committed to building an accepting and respectful community. Our mission is to enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives and is inspired by our Catholic faith and the Augustinian tradition of seeking truth through inquiry and dialogue.
Merrimack College seeks candidates who understand, respect, and can contribute to Merrimack’s Catholic and Augustinian mission. All candidates should describe in their application how they will foster a culture that supports our mission.
About Merrimack College
The only Catholic, Augustinian institution of higher education in New England, Merrimack College is a private, independent, coeducational institution with more than 4,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students from 46 states and 45 countries. The College features more than 160 career-focused academic programs in science, engineering, business, nursing, health sciences, education, social sciences and humanities across undergraduate, professional and graduate programs, all taught by exceptional faculty who are passionate about their subject and student success. The College has six schools: arts and sciences, engineering and computational sciences, nursing and health sciences, education and social policy, the Girard school of business, and the Graduate School of counseling and social work. The College’s suburban 220-acre campus is just north of Boston in North Andover, Massachusetts. Merrimack is a Professions-focused, Undergraduate/Graduate-Master’s Large/Medium institution in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Merrimack is one of the fastest-growing educational institutions in the country and has steadily climbed up in the U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of Best Colleges, ranking 37th in the Regional Universities North category in 2025. Merrimack is a NCAA Division I athletic institution.
Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
