Dean of the Business School

Academic Leadership

Continue the growth trajectory of enrollment.

Oversee curriculum development, academic program review, and the accreditation process.

Recruit, evaluate, and support faculty in teaching, research, outreach, and professional development.

Promote scholarly excellence by leveraging interdisciplinary collaboration within and beyond WPI.

Foster a culture of student professionalism, innovation, and success.

Provide leadership and oversight for faculty development, resource allocation, and program quality.

Champion recruitment, retention, advancement, and well-being to foster a strong, inclusive academic community.

Strengthen and expand the school’s research enterprise.

Administrative Management

Provide strategic and operational oversight of the school, including substantial budgetary responsibility, resource planning, and external representation.

Develop and manage the budget, resources, and staffing for the Business School.

The Dean will manage a budget of over $7M and provide leadership for the Dean’s Office, comprising four direct reports:

• Department Head
• Assistant Dean, Business Programs
• Assistant to the Dean
• Operations Manager

Lead strategic planning initiatives aligned with institutional goals.

Ensure compliance with university policies and relevant external regulations.

Ensure decision-making processes reflect fairness, transparency, and ethical stewardship of resources.

Student Success & Engagement

Support student recruitment, retention, advising, and graduation initiatives.

Foster supportive learning environments and co-curricular programming.

Address student concerns and uphold academic integrity standards while modeling the professionalism expected of a polytechnic business school.

Advance interdisciplinary teaching and scholarship that prepares graduates to address complex global challenges, particularly at the intersection of business, technology, analytics, and societal impact.

Champion academic program innovation by working collaboratively with faculty to develop new and responsive programs.

Advance the school’s role in WPI’s distinctive project-based learning model.

External Relations & Advancement

Build and sustain strategic partnerships with industry leaders, international institutions, alumni, and community organizations to enhance research opportunities, enrich student experiences, and elevate the school’s national and global profile.

Lead fundraising efforts and secure external grants and sponsorships.

Represent the school in university-wide committees and public forums.

University-Wide Leadership

Serve as an engaged member of the Provost’s Council and the President’s leadership team, contributing to university-wide initiatives while advocating for the school’s mission and strategic priorities.

Qualifications

• A doctoral degree from an accredited institution in a relevant field, with a record of scholarship and academic leadership appropriate for appointment as a tenured professor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
• A minimum of five years of leadership and administrative experience, including experience in higher education.
• Proven experience in strategic planning, change management, team building, and budget management, including oversight of complex financial and human resources.
• Effective leadership and team building across various constituent groups, with the ability to inspire and motivate faculty, staff, and students toward shared goals.
• Demonstrated success in teaching, research, and service, or equivalent experience in a complex organization.
• An understanding of and commitment to the evolving nature of a new R1 university.
• A track record of successful donor stewardship and fundraising.
• The ability to attract and retain talented faculty, staff, students, donors, and partners.
• Demonstrated financial acumen and experience managing large budgets and resource allocation.
• Demonstrated commitment to the highest standards of integrity, ethical conduct, and professional responsibility in all leadership, academic, and administrative activities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse internal and external communities, and a professional presence appropriate for senior institutional leadership.
• A willingness to engage with all members of the WPI community, including maintaining a strong presence on campus for school and university-wide programs and events.
• An innovation-oriented mindset, with the ability to take thoughtful, calculated risks, coupled with an unwavering commitment to the highest standards of personal and professional integrity.
• Data-informed decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to navigate complex organizational structures and drive institutional change.
• Ability to build partnerships across academic, industry, and community sectors.
• A record of promoting ethical decision-making and professional conduct within complex academic or organizational environments.
• Ability to take practical insight into contemporary market dynamics, organizational challenges, and workforce needs.