Associate Dean/Open rank (Associate or Full professor)

The Associate Dean serves as a senior academic and administrative leader within the Staley School of Leadership and partners closely with the Dean to advance the school's mission of developing bold, curious, and connected learners through leadership education, scholarship, applied learning, undergraduate research, and honors education.

522219 Manhattan Staley School of Leadership Academic / Faculty - 12 month Closing at: Oct 9 2026 - 23:55 CDT On-site

The Associate Dean serves as a senior academic and administrative leader within the Staley School of Leadership and partners closely with the Dean to advance the school's mission of developing bold, curious, and connected learners through leadership education, scholarship, applied learning, undergraduate research, and honors education.

The Staley School of Leadership provides university-wide programs and services that support students across all majors and campuses through academic and co-curricular experiences.

Primary Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Administration

• Partner with the Dean to develop and implement the school's strategic vision, priorities, and goals in alignment with those of the university
• Provide leadership for school-wide initiatives that enhance student learning, engagement, and success
• Represent the school on university committees, councils, and task forces; including K-State Committee on Academic Policy, General Education Council, Assessment and Institutional Research, and Associate Deans committee
• Drive departmental evaluation, promotion, and tenure guidelines and documents
• Liaise with K-State units such as Graduate School, Office of Sponsored Programs, and Vice President for Research Office
• Serve as acting dean in the absence of the Dean
• Lead special projects and initiatives that advance the school's mission and strategic objectives

Academic Program Leadership

• Provide oversight and support for academic programs, curricula, and instructional initiatives throughout the school
• Implement academic policies and procedures for the school
• Promote experiential and applied learning that happens inside and outside of the classroom
• Partner closely with the Director of Leadership Studies to support the development, implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement of academic programs and curricula
• Lead coordination of assessment initiatives across the school
• Monitor key performance indicators and student success metrics
• Communicate outcomes to stakeholders and recommend improvements based on evidence and best practices
• Collaborate with unit leads to advance instructional excellence, faculty success, enrollment growth, student achievement, and program innovation
• Support the expansion of interdisciplinary leadership education opportunities that serve students across colleges, majors, and campuses
• Provide strategic leadership for academic assessment and program review
• Foster alignment and collaboration among the school's academic, co-curricular, honors, undergraduate research, and applied learning initiatives

Teaching responsibilities may be assigned based on college needs, the individual’s expertise, and workload

Student Support and Success

• Use data-informed decision making to assess student outcomes and improve programming
• Foster a student-centered culture that supports recruitment, retention, persistence, and graduation
• Drive strategic enrollment management strategy for the school
• Support recruitment and prospective student visits
• Collaborate with campus partners to enhance undergraduate research, honors education, service learning, and community engagement programs
• Respond to student concerns, grievances, and disciplinary actions in partnership with respective faculty and/or unit lead
• Support university-wide leadership development opportunities and student engagement initiatives

Faculty and Staff Leadership

• Review and monitor key academic indicators, including enrollment, student success, faculty productivity, and program outcomes, in partnership with the unit leads
• Foster communication and alignment between Leadership Studies faculty and other Staley School units, advancing interdisciplinary collaboration and integrated student learning experiences
• Provide leadership for the performance and success of the Leadership Studies unit through ongoing partnership, goal setting, and evaluation of the Director of Leadership Studies
• Collaborate with the Director of Leadership Studies to identify emerging faculty, curriculum, and resource needs, and advocate for investments that support academic excellence and strategic growth
• Support succession planning, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness within the Leadership Studies unit to ensure long-term sustainability and excellence

External Relations and Partnerships

• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with academic colleges, campus units, community organizations, alumni, employers, and external partners
• Support civic engagement, service, and leadership initiatives that strengthen community impact
• Cultivate partnerships that enhance applied learning and student opportunities

Research and Sponsored Programs

• Serve on the Associate Deans for Research Council
• Faculty support in proposal creation and connect to K-State resources and processes
• Periodic tracking and support of engaged scholarly work in the school
• Liaison to the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects and approvals within research and sponsored programs platforms

About Us

The Mary Lynn and Warren Staley School of Leadership at Kansas State University is a values-centered learning community that provides academic, co-curricular, and applied learning experiences to students across the university with the purpose of developing bold, curious, and connected learners to address our world’s most complex challenges. A focus on incubating new initiatives, and building and strengthening partnerships has allowed the Staley School to evolve in new and diverse ways – launching new academic programs and becoming home to additional university-wide programs and initiatives, committed to enriching learning both in and out of the classroom.

Worksite Description

This position is On-site. All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

• Terminal degree in higher education, leadership studies, student affairs, education, or other field
• Record of 5+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience in higher education
• Credentials or experience for appointment as a tenured member of faculty
• Consideration for associate professor includes current rank of associate professor and 6+ years of related experience
• Consideration for professor includes current rank of professor and 10+ years of related experience
• The degree requirement is necessary for accreditation purposes and to ensure candidates possess the specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities that can only be attained through a formal educational program at this level.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams and complex organizational initiatives
• Evidence of successful collaboration with faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders
• Evidence of strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Experience with strategic planning, supervision, budgeting, assessment, and program evaluation
• Experience overseeing academic and/or co-curricular programs
• Experience with honors education, undergraduate research, leadership studies, experiential learning, student development, or related areas
• Demonstrated success securing external funding, grants, or philanthropic support
• Experience serving in a college- or major unit-level leadership role
• Record of scholarly or professional contributions related to leadership, student success, or higher education

Sponsorship eligibility:

• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents:

• A cover letter addressing your interest in the position and how your qualifications align with the responsibilities and requirements of the Associate Dean role.
• Curriculum vitae

Application Window

Applications close on: October 9th, 2026

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range Commensurate with experience

Why Join Us:

Kansas State University offers a supportive and inclusive community, dedicated to your professional growth. While specific benefits may vary by position, many roles come with comprehensive packages that support your well-being and work-life balance, including health and life insurance, retirement plans, and generous paid time off. To learn more about benefits that are available for various positions, visit our benefits overview page.

Work Authorization and Sponsorship:

Employees must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment. International candidates who require employer-sponsored work authorization are welcome to apply. Eligibility for visa sponsorship depends on several factors, including but not limited to, the job’s occupational requirements, specific duties, wage level, the candidate’s qualifications (such as degree field) and available departmental resources. As a result, not all positions or applicants will be eligible for sponsorship.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

Remote and Hybrid work options:

Some positions are eligible for remote or hybrid working arrangements. An employee who is working in a remote or hybrid capacity for K-State must reside within the United States in order to comply with all federal and state laws, filings, or tax requirements. Remote and hybrid work arrangements are not available for anyone who resides in the state of Idaho.

Relocation to Kansas:

Kansas participates in the MakeMyMove program, which connects eligible newcomers with participating communities offering financial incentives, housing support, and local perks to help make your move easier and more rewarding. If relocating from outside of Kansas you can visit the site to apply online for the program incentives.

Background Screening Statement:

Upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment, a candidate may be subject to a background check per K-State’s background check policy.

Interview Preferences:

Kansas State University honors interview preferences for qualified applicants who are veterans or individuals with disabilities. Eligible applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, submit all required application materials, and submit required preference documentation by the closing date on the job advertisement will be granted a first-level interview. The disability and veteran interview preferences do not apply to student employment positions, temporary positions, athletics positions, academic and administrative department heads*, positions that require licensure as a physician, and positions that require that the employee be admitted to practice law in Kansas. *Heads of Departments refers to any individual holding a primary leadership role responsible for the overall strategic direction, management and operational oversight of a recognized academic or administrative unit within the university. To learn more about interview preferences at K-State, please visit our interview preferences page.