Academic Dean

Position: Dean of Academics FLSA Classification: ExemptSalary: Paid per contract termsReports to: Head of SchoolDate: 1/29/2026SummaryWayland is an independent, coed college preparatory school for boarding and day students (grades 9-post-graduate), founded in 1855. The school’s rich, rigorous academic program features exceptionally small classes, capstone projects at every grade, active STEAM, media studies, environmental science, and student success programs, and an array of AP offerings. The diverse and welcoming school community brings together students from across the United States and more than 25 other countries in an intimate learning environment, with a student-faculty ratio of 6:1. Wayland’s historic campus is located in the heart of the Midwest in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin—just 40 miles from Madison and 60 miles from Milwaukee. Essential FunctionsWayland Academy’s Wayland’s Dean of Academics (Dean) serves as the school’s “Chief Academic Officer,” as a key member of the administrative leadership team reporting to the Head of School. The Dean ensures that Wayland Academy continues to lead through a rigorous academic program preparing students for college and beyond. The Dean works closely with the Head of School to lead all academic initiatives with an emphasis on delivering 21st Century skills through the mission to develop knowledge and character. The Dean implements strategic initiatives, with a particular focus on continuous improvements in teaching and learning methods, creative and innovative classrooms, curriculum alignment, effective use of new and emerging technologies, and an atmosphere of growth and professional development for faculty. Like many educational institutions Wayland is immersed in innovation and change. The Dean will oversee the next phase of Wayland’s “Student Success Program,” with a key role in envisioning, implementing, and tracking Wayland’s efforts to support the full range of mission – appropriate learners and profiles within an integrated model. Responsibilities essential to these functions include:Serve as a critical thought partner to the Head of School and participate as a collaborative and engaged member of the Administrative Leadership Team.Serve as the Academic leader on campus through strategic planning, and operational oversight.Envision, implement, manage, and measure the next iteration of Wayland’s “Student Success Program.” Supervise the Chairs of the Academic Departments and work closely with Academic Affairs Committee. Coordinate the faculty recruitment and hiring process in close partnership with school leadership and key operational partners. Plan and oversee the New Faculty and Staff Orientation and the Faculty Mentoring Program.Work with Department Chairs to support and challenge the faculty and oversee the annual faculty evaluation process; observe all faculty annually and facilitate faculty professional development.Serve as a thought leader at Wayland and beyond, sharing expertise and best practices.Oversee all academic policies, procedures, and activities.Work closely with the Administrative Leadership Team to establish the academic calendar and master schedule.Wayland Academy expects all administrators to be fully engaged in the school's life and mission, in and out of the classroom. To that end, the Director is expected to take meals in the dining hall, participate in Wayland Academy community events and to be a positive role model for students. CompetenciesThrives in a fast-paced close-knit, diverse community.Experience with, expertise in, and passion for supporting students with a range of learning profiles.Motivated, flexible, and collaborative with strong leadership and team-building skills.Highly organized, passionate, and able to motivate others.Excellent writing, editing, and public speaking skills.Exercises an understanding of and supports the mission and vision of Wayland Academy.Displays enthusiasm and dedication to contributing to our healthy learning community, energetically supporting colleagues, sharing ideas and resources, and being there for others.Maintains an accepting and supportive attitude that encourages diverse perspectives and productive risk-taking to challenge students to think and explore opportunities that allow them to become their best.Authentically conveys compassion for students and colleagues, with a high level of cultural competency. Supervisory ResponsibilitiesThe Director is the primary supervisor for all faculty and academic support personnel. The Director shall collaborate with the secondary supervisors for faculty and academic support personnel for duty assignment, performance evaluation, grievances, and discipline. The Director routinely supervises students in the classroom, dormitories, extracurricular activities, dining hall and other campus community related activities. Work EnvironmentThe work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Unless otherwise explicitly agreed upon by the Head of School, Director is expected to reside on campus in faculty housing to provide a safe and community-like residential experience for boarding students and serving as administrator on duty as scheduled. Faculty housing policies and expectations are clearly defined in the employee handbook. Physical DemandsThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, stand, sit, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Regular and timely physical attendance at all scheduled teaching, coaching, mentoring, and supervising events or duties is a necessity for this job. Travel RequiredTraveling with and for students for academic, extracurricular, and residential life functions is a regular duty of the faculty. Occasional overnight and out-of-state or foreign travel for school related business may be assigned. Unless otherwise explicitly agreed upon by the Head of School, the Director must have a valid driver’s license, three years of US driving experience upon hire, and maintain the motor vehicle records standards as set forth by the employee handbook. Required Education and ExperienceBachelor’s degree Demonstrated educational leadership capacityPreferred Education and Experience Master's Degree or other advanced degreeExperienced educator and leader with deep knowledge of current and innovative curricular trends and practices Work AuthorizationEmployee must be authorized to work in the United States of America.Employee must provide identification documentation, provide a list of all states/countries of residence over the past seven years, and pass a comprehensive consumer background check (criminal, department of motor vehicle, credit, and others as needed) prior to employment. Affirmative Action/EEO statement Wayland Academy is committed to a workplace free of discrimination. Wayland Academy cannot and will not tolerate discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sex stereotyping, gender identity, gender expression or transgender status), national origin, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, age protected genetic information, status as a parent, marital status, political affiliation, or retaliation. In addition, Wayland Academy will not tolerate any type of harassment, either sexual or nonsexual, of any employee or applicant for employment.Other DutiesDirector may have reasonable duties and responsibilities assigned to him/her by the Head of School that the Head of School deems in his/her sole discretion to be desirable to the smooth functioning of the Wayland Academy programs.

Salary : $58,000 - $62,500