Dean of Academic Affairs

About the Role

Excelon Associates is conducting a search for an experienced Dean of Academic Affairs on behalf of a growing higher education institution in Tampa, Florida. The institution is seeking an accomplished academic leader who is passionate about student success, faculty development, and academic excellence. The Dean of Academic Affairs will provide the leadership necessary to support the institution's mission, objectives, strategic plans, and academic goals. This individual will oversee all aspects of the campus Education Department, including planning, organization, staffing, training, coordination, supervision, faculty development, student retention, and academic quality.

Minimum Requirements

• Master's degree in Education required. All degrees must be earned from institutions accredited by regional or national accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Minimum of five years of supervisory experience within a college-level educational environment.
• Minimum of three years of successful teaching experience at the college level.
• Demonstrated ability to lead with patience, empathy, adaptability, and a solutions-oriented mindset.
• Ability to effectively navigate new and rapidly changing situations.
• Ability to work extended hours when necessary, including evenings and Saturdays, in support of institutional objectives.

For best consideration, candidates should submit applicable academic credentials along with their resume. Candidates should redact sensitive personal information, including dates of birth and Social Security numbers, from submitted documentation.

Essential Responsibilities

• Meeting or exceeding monthly and annual student retention goals.
• Supporting achievement of the institution's daily student attendance goal of 85%.
• Developing and maintaining the master academic schedule for all programs and courses.
• Ensuring appropriate instructional coverage for all classes, including instructors, teaching assistants, and other academic personnel.
• Ensuring instructors complete contractual teaching obligations through applicable module end dates.
• Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, onboarding, and training qualified faculty, staff, and teaching assistants.
• Conducting quarterly formal classroom observations of instructors.
• Developing and delivering appropriate orientation and training programs for new academic hires.
• Ensuring instructors fulfill required administrative responsibilities, including grading, attendance tracking, and academic recordkeeping.
• Administering student satisfaction surveys for instructors at the conclusion of each grading period.
• Reviewing and summarizing student feedback and working with faculty to reinforce strengths and improve instructional quality.
• Scheduling and facilitating faculty development, in-service training, and professional growth activities consistent with accreditation requirements.
• Partnering with instructors to develop individual annual faculty professional development plans and monitoring progress on a quarterly basis.
• Completing timely annual performance evaluations for faculty and academic staff.
• Providing direct supervision and leadership to Registrar, Student Services, and Library/Resource Center personnel.
• Overseeing related academic reports, departmental functions, compliance responsibilities, and campus operations.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Lead and participate in faculty and staff meetings.
• Support the performance appraisal process.
• Provide ongoing coaching, mentoring, and professional development to faculty and staff.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, student-focused academic culture.

Benefits

The institution offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

• Medical insurance, including HSA and FSA options for dependent and healthcare expenses.
• Dental and vision insurance.
• 12 paid holidays.
• Paid time off.
• Paid volunteer day.
• 401(k) plan with a 50% employer match.
• Short-term disability coverage.
• Life insurance.
• Supplemental life insurance options.
• Professional growth opportunities.
• Education assistance.
• Professional development benefits.

Employer-Paid Benefits

• Group life insurance.
• Long-term disability coverage.
• Employee referral program.
• Discounted entertainment and travel benefits through TicketsatWork.
• Paid birthday day off for eligible full-time employees after two years of service.