Dean, School of Engineering

Position Overview

Salary range: $450,000-550,000
Review timeline: Open recruitment from May to July. For best consideration, apply by August 1, 2026.

Position Description

The Dean of the Henry Samueli School of Engineering serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of the School, providing strategic vision, leadership, and oversight for its four departments and affiliated research centers. The Dean is responsible for advancing excellence in teaching, research, and service; supporting faculty recruitment, retention, and development; and ensuring a dynamic and inclusive learning environment for students. In collaboration with campus leadership, the Dean will foster interdisciplinary partnerships, champion inclusive excellence, and strengthen connections with industry, alumni, and philanthropic partners. The Dean also oversees budgetary and operational management, guiding the School toward sustainable growth and national leadership in discovery and innovation.

Required Qualifications

• A PhD (or international equivalent) and hold the rank of associate or full professor, or equivalent rank in industry;
• A record of and commitment to advancing world-class research;
• A desire to support a culture of excellence and integrity;
• The ability to identify and cultivate critical relationships and external resources;
• A commitment to creating an inclusive environment for the student body, faculty, and staff;
• A proven, demonstrated commitment to shared governance, and an openness to collaborative relationships with campus units;
• Excellent financial strategy and financial management skills, and demonstrated experience working with complex budgeting models;
• An ability to think and build frameworks in an interdisciplinary way and experience facilitating collaboration across disciplines;
• The ability to communicate effectively with staff, faculty, students, and others, and to build cohesiveness and community among constituents;
• A commitment to transparent communication that builds trust across the school;
• Support of entrepreneurship and close relationships with industry;
• An articulate vision for the future of engineering schools;
• Demonstrated ability to understand and react to current complexities, including the political, financial, technological, and global challenges that public universities face today;
• An ability to inspire.

Compensation And Benefits

UC Irvine is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including, but not limited to, experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The full annual salary range for the Dean of the Henry Samueli School of Engineering is $450,000 to $550,000. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers will be commensurate with a final candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Contact

The Isaacson, Miller search team is David Bellshaw, Rafa Escobedo, and Salem Adisu. This team is supporting the recruiting efforts of the Search Advisory Committee and the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor.

Screening Of Complete Applications

Will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, suggestions, and referrals can be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website. All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential. All applications must be submitted through UCI's AP Recruit website and should include, as separate documents, a CV and a letter of interest addressing the themes in this position profile. For best consideration, apply by August 1, 2026. Electronic submission of materials is required.

Qualifications

• Basic qualifications (required at time of application): A PhD (or international equivalent) and hold the rank of associate or full professor, or equivalent rank in industry.

Application Requirements

• Document requirements: Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V., Cover Letter
• Reference requirements: Once campus visit finalists are selected, the search firm asks for 5 references, has phone calls with the references, and shares the reference check report with the Provost (hiring manager) after campus visits.

About UC Irvine

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC anti-discrimination policy.

Additional Information

• Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
• Job location: Irvine, CA