University Associate Dean of Online Education / Chief Online Learning Officer

POSITION DETAILS

CUNY Online, part of The City University of New York, serves as the University’s in-house online education and digital learning solution. It enables CUNY colleges to expand and enhance online program portfolios, support services for online students, and strengthen faculty expertise in online teaching and learning. As an educational service unit within the Office of Academic Affairs (OAA), CUNY Online provides feasibility studies, instructional design, development, marketing, training, and support for online courses, degrees, and certificates across the CUNY system.

The Office of Academic Affairs seeks an Associate Dean of Online Education/Chief Online Learning Officer to develop and lead a coordinated, university-wide strategy for CUNY’s online education enterprise, advancing innovation and quality across all CUNY colleges and schools. The Associate Dean of Online Education/Chief Online Learning Officer will integrate academic and technological solutions to advance online education and digital learning initiatives, ensuring flexible course offerings, high-quality instruction, and rigorous academic standards.

Reporting to the Senior University Dean for Academic Innovation, the Associate Dean of Online Education/Chief Online Learning Officer provides strategic leadership for online education across the University, working in close collaboration with provosts, deans, and campus-based online learning leaders. The Associate Dean of Online Education/Chief Online Learning Officer will also lead efforts to design an exceptional online student experience that provides a seamless educational journey, clear pathways, and integrated technological support. The Associate Dean of Online Education/Chief Online Learning Officer will support and collaborate with CUNY colleges to align online education initiatives with the University’s strategic goals for academic innovation, access, student success, and workforce development.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Coordinate and align University-wide online education policies, practices, and initiatives across CUNY colleges to ensure consistency, quality, and equity in digital learning experiences.
• Oversee feasibility studies for online programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, and manage program development across multiple campuses.
• Promote engaging, inclusive, and pedagogically sound online learning experiences using adaptive learning and multiple instructional formats.
• Oversee the assessment and continuous improvement of online programs and learning experiences using data analytics, quality standards, and evidence-based practices.
• Identify opportunities to enhance the online student experience, including 24/7 academic and nonacademic support and a strong online community.
• Support CUNY colleges in meeting University, state, and federal standards for accessibility, student privacy, and academic quality in online education.
• Participate in RFPs and initiatives that expand CUNY’s online education capacity and inform academic strategy.
• Develop and manage project budgets and ensure achievement of academic and operational goals.
• Manage cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with the University goals and optimal return on investment.
• Lead assessments of existing online partnerships and serve as relationship manager for external vendors.

NOTE:

Until further notice, this position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum:

This position is in CUNY's Executive Compensation Plan. All executive positions require a minimum of a bachelor's degree and eight years' related experience.

Preferred:

• Advanced degree in a field related to online education and at least ten (10) years of leadership experience in building, implementing, or managing online, virtual, mobile, or digital education programs.
• Expertise in online education and digitally enhanced pedagogy, including best practices for online, hybrid, and blended environments.
• Thorough knowledge of instructional design, learning management systems, multimedia tools, and web accessibility/universal design.
• Strong technical acumen and ability to deploy innovative learning technologies.
• Understanding of the online program management marketplace and its connection to enrollment strategies; demonstrated success translating market research into viable programs.
• Experience in faculty development and assessment of online teaching quality.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of online education.
• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to build relationships and influence across colleges and with external partners.
• Strong organizational, communication, and project management skills.
• Experience with budget management and strategic partnership development.
• Proficiency in administrative, academic, and financial systems, Microsoft Office, and virtual collaboration tools.

CUNY TITLE

University Associate Dean

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary range is $165,000 to $175,000, commensurate with credentials, education, and experience.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.