Job Description
Senior Associate Dean
The Woods College of Advancing Studies at Boston College seeks a Senior Associate Dean, Faculty & Academic Affairs to provide strategic leadership and oversight of the College's academic enterprise, including undergraduate and graduate programs. Reporting to the Dean, this senior leadership role is responsible for advancing academic quality, program innovation, faculty engagement, and operational excellence across a diverse portfolio of programs serving adult and non-traditional learners.
The Senior Associate Dean leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of academic programs and curricula; oversees faculty recruitment, development, and evaluation; and ensures the effective delivery of academic programs across multiple instructional modalities, including online and hybrid formats. The role also provides leadership in academic planning, program assessment, and policy implementation, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, market demand, and the mission of Boston College.
A key responsibility of the position is overseeing the evaluation and performance of academic programs, including analysis of student outcomes, retention and graduation trends, and program effectiveness. The Senior Associate Dean ensures alignment with accreditation standards set by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and works closely with governance bodies such as the Academic Oversight Committee (AOC) and the Educational Planning Committee (EPC) to support program review, curricular innovation, and academic quality.
The Senior Associate Dean supervises Program Directors, Professors of Practice, and Directors of Undergraduate and Graduate Programs and Student Affairs, providing strategic direction and coordination of academic operations, faculty affairs, and student academic support. The role collaborates closely with College leadership, enrollment management, and administrative partners to support strategic enrollment planning, resource allocation, and program growth.
The ideal candidate will bring significant experience in higher education academic leadership, including curriculum development, program assessment, faculty management, and academic administration. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong strategic thinking, organizational leadership, and the ability to work effectively across a complex, matrixed academic environment.
Full-Time Equivalent Hiring Range: $176,300 to $220,400; salary commensurate with relevant experience.
Requirements
Required Qualifications:
- Doctoral or terminal degree
- Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education administration
- Demonstrated experience in curriculum development, program assessment, and academic program administration
- Experience working with faculty and leading faculty development and evaluation processes
- Knowledge of accreditation standards and academic governance processes (e.g., NECHE, AOC, EPC)
- Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills
- Ability to manage complex academic operations and lead cross-functional initiatives
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working with adult and non-traditional learners
- Experience in continuing, professional, and/or online education environments
- Experience with strategic academic planning, including aligning programs with enrollment trends, market demand, and financial sustainability
- Experience leading academic program innovation and growth initiatives
