Associate Dean, Engineering Research and Industry Engagement

About the role

The College of Engineering at Cal Poly Pomona invites applications for the full-time management position of Associate Dean, Engineering Research and Industry Engagement (MPP III).

Responsibilities

• Partner with faculty to shape, strengthen, and submit competitive research proposals that advance scholarly impact and external funding success.
• Serve as a strategic liaison between the College and key research partners, including the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, the Cal Poly Pomona Foundation, and the Office of Undergraduate Research.
• Cultivate collaborative, interdisciplinary grant activity within the College and across campus to expand undergraduate and graduate research opportunities.
• Proactively identify and promote internal and external funding opportunities aligned with faculty expertise, emerging research areas, and College priorities.
• Design and launch a Dean’s Research Seminar Series that showcases faculty scholarship, fosters connection, and elevates the College’s research profile.
• Collaborate closely with the College senior budget analyst to support responsible stewardship of grant funds and sustainable research growth.
• Build strong, forward-looking partnerships with government organizations, industry partners, and alumni, to deepen engagement.
• Expand sponsored research, cross-sector collaboration, and experiential learning opportunities in partnership with industry and government stakeholders.
• Serve as manager for approximately nine equipment technicians who support teaching and research laboratories.
• Maintain position descriptions; hire and evaluate technical staff; manage professional development; oversee absence management; and liaise with Human Resources on personnel matters.
• Ensure the safe operation, maintenance, and modernization of laboratory equipment and research infrastructure.
• Collaborate with Facilities, Information Technology, and campus partners to oversee the renovation, repurposing, and modernization of instructional and research spaces, including technology-enabled environments and high-performance computing infrastructure.
• Provide strategic direction on the allocation of physical and technology-supported space resources to departments, faculty researchers, and student groups.
• Work with department chairs and stakeholders to assess needs and recommend adjustments to ensure effective and equitable space utilization.
• Participate in the Dean’s Leadership Team, Dean's Council, and other campus and college committees.
• Represent the College in systemwide and external engineering research leadership groups.
• Engage regularly with Academic Affairs and Faculty Affairs leadership regarding research and faculty advancement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Earned Ph.D. in Engineering or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of two years of leadership experience (e.g., department chair, associate chair, center director, interim leadership positions, or major committee chair).
• Knowledge of government and industrial funding sources and a successful record of research funding.
• Demonstrated ability to lead strategic initiatives, build collaborative teams, and respond effectively to deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of and experience in fiscal management and compliance with federal regulations and oversight of grants and contracts.
• Knowledge and experience in managing intellectual property rights and entrepreneurial opportunities, including a record of entrepreneurial attainment.
• Experience in planning, implementing, and sustaining comprehensive research centers or programs.
• Research funding from major federal agencies such as NSF, DOE, and DOD.
• Experience in partnering with industry and business.
• Experience with faculty professional development and mentoring.
• A demonstrated commitment to the recruitment and retention of a culturally diverse and talented faculty and student body.
• Experience working with students from varied educational backgrounds, including first-generation college students.

Benefits

The salary range for this position is $173,520-$185,004 annually. More information about benefits is available through the California State University system.

Pay

This is a full-time, on-site MPP III position in the College of Engineering.

Schedule

Equal Employment Opportunity