Senior Associate Dean Strategic Initiatives, Innovation, and College Affairs

Senior Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives, Innovation, and College Affairs

Department: College of Science

Classification: Administrative Faculty

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Location: Fairfax, VA

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Job :

Opening Date: November 5, 2025

Closing Date for Application: December 5, 2025

Position Open Until Filled: Yes

About the Department:

The Office of Strategic Initiatives, Innovation, and College Affairs within the College of Science will advance the college's mission through visionary leadership, strategic planning, and cross‑functional collaboration. The unit identifies and implements transformative initiatives that enhance academic excellence, student and faculty success, and community engagement. It catalyzes interdisciplinary collaboration, aligns the institution with emerging trends in science education, and supports continuous improvement.

About the Position:

The Senior Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives, Innovation, and College Affairs is a vital member of the Mason Science executive leadership team. The role plans, executes, and maintains strategies for innovation and excellence in academic, student, and faculty affairs, strategic enrollment management, and community engagement. Acting as the college's deputy, the Senior Associate Dean serves as the Dean’s representative when the Dean is unavailable.

College Affairs Leadership and Operations

• Oversees the college affairs functions and offices within the portfolio
• Aligns continually with the college's mission and strategic plan, monitoring progress and evaluating performance
• Guides the college's strategy for development, implementation, and evaluation of academic programs and student support
• Directs enrollment management strategy, setting new and continuing student targets, recruitment, marketing, admissions, student support, and retention
• Manages faculty recruitment, hiring, development, and performance evaluation processes
• Manages direct reports to ensure collaboration and continuity among them and their associated teams
• Serves as liaison between the Dean's Office and academic departments to ensure alignment and effective implementation of initiatives
• Attends meetings and directs the college on the Dean's behalf when requested

Strategic Initiatives and Innovation

• Leads implementation and assesses progress of strategic initiatives identified in the college's strategic plan and others directed by the Dean
• Promotes a culture of innovation and collaborates with stakeholders to identify emerging strategic opportunities
• Monitors progression toward goals, including data analysis and tracking of key performance indicators
• Supports the development of interdisciplinary programs, new academic offerings, and cross‑unit collaborations

Internal and External Relations

• Collaborates with research, business operations, advancement, and communications teams to support and promote the college's initiatives and achievements
• Represents the college in university‑wide committees and task forces
• Fosters collaborative and transparent communication, both internal and external to the college
• Oversees special projects and performs other related duties as assigned by the Dean

• Terminal degree in a related field
• Substantive leadership experience in higher education or a similarly complex organization (typically five or more years)
• Demonstrable experience formulating and executing high‑level strategic initiatives that impact stakeholders
• Experience as associate professor or higher with ability to meet tenure requirements
• Experience effectively managing large teams
• Experience using data to glean insights about plans or operations
• Significant record of timely, clear, and professional communication and collaboration skills

Proven ability to:

• Lead strategic, high‑level initiatives with demonstrable positive outcomes
• Manage complex projects across multiple groups or units
• Foster professional…