Associate Dean for Administration

Associate Dean for Administration

Frank Batten School of Leadership & Public Policy

The Opportunity

The University of Virginia's Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy (Batten) seeks a strategic, forward-looking leader to serve as its next Associate Dean for Administration (Associate Dean). Reporting directly to the Dean and serving as a thought partner, the Associate Dean leads Batten's financial, operational, and administrative strategy, ensuring that resources are planned, organized, and deployed effectively to advance Batten’s mission.

This is an important moment for leadership and policy education, and Batten is more committed than ever to developing leaders and generating new knowledge to solve complex policy challenges. Reflecting this momentum, the School is expanding its footprint from the UVA Lawn to include a second headquarters building, opening in 2027, which will be shared with the Karsh Institute of Democracy.

The Role and Responsibilities

The Associate Dean serves as Batten’s chief administrative and financial officer, leading the school’s operational enterprise and ensuring the effective stewardship of resources in support of its teaching and research mission. Managing the schoolwide budget of approximately $35 million, the Associate Dean works closely with UVA’s Office of Financial Planning and Analysis and the Batten Foundation to develop and execute a robust multi-year financial strategy and to oversee the effective management of operating and capital budgets.

Additional priorities include:

Strategic Leadership

• Serve as a critical thought partner for the Dean, thinking continuously about opportunities to enhance the delivery of the mission.
• Partner with the Dean, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, senior faculty, and staff leaders to develop strategic plans and align financial and operational strategies with academic priorities.

Financial Stewardship

• Advise the Dean on all relevant financial matters with a bias toward proactive planning and analysis.
• Oversee financial management in partnership with the Director of Finance and Business Services, including budgeting, forecasting, risk management, reporting, and compliance.

Operational Excellence

• Lead and align key operational functions, including facilities, information technology, and other administrative units, to support Batten’s strategic priorities.

Talent & Culture Leadership

• Serve as Batten's senior administrative leader for staff affairs, partnering with UVA HR to advance talent, culture, and organizational effectiveness.

Ideal Experience and Characteristics

The successful candidate will be an accomplished financial and operational leader with the vision and capability to guide a complex organization, bringing a blend of strategic insight, fiscal acumen, and a proven record of managing diverse operational units. Strong candidates will also bring: Ten-plus (10+) years of progressive administrative leadership experience and the minimum of a master's degree in a relevant field. Significant senior leadership experience in financial and administrative roles within large, complex, or mission-driven organizations; higher education experience a plus.

To Apply or Nominate

UVA Executive Search Group (ESG) is assisting in the recruitment of the Associate Dean for Administration. Confidential inquiries and nominations should be directed to Nalini Turner, Managing Director, at nms3bt@virginia.edu, or Adam Seid, Senior Search Consultant, at seid@virginia.edu. To apply, submit a letter of interest and resume via Workday. The search will be carried out with full confidentiality.