[Hiring] Assistant Dean, Nursing @Capella University

Role Description

The Assistant Dean is a senior academic leader who serves as administrator for an academic department within the School of Nursing & Health Sciences. In collaboration with the Dean, this highly cross-functional role is accountable for academic quality, strategic portfolio management, faculty excellence, and learner success. The Assistant Dean also participates in university governance and contributes to initiatives that extend across the institution.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Academic Quality
  • In collaboration with Deans, program and faculty directors, monitor measures of academic quality; identify opportunities for improvement.
  • Provide oversight of the school’s assessment and continuous quality improvement plan, including quarterly action analytics, developing action plans based on data, implementation of plans, and systematic review of improvements following implementation.
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and accreditation/external standards.
  • Engage in teaching or mentoring on a quarterly basis.
• Strategic Portfolio Management
  • Partner with the dean, program directors, and Portfolio Strategy team to ensure programs align with overall university strategy, professional trends, and accreditation/external standards.
  • Develop and implement a strategic and operational plan that meets organizational goals, market demand, instructional cost targets, and outcome success measures.
  • Oversee accreditation and external approval efforts, including resource allocation, report generation, and site visit management.
  • Serve as a representative of the school to external partners, employers, professional organizations, and academic audiences at the direction of the dean.
• Operational Management
  • Develop the school’s annual operating plan (AOP) in alignment with key financial targets.
  • Provide oversight of resource allocation to ensure effective cost management, equity, and compliance.
  • Provide leadership for school governance and operations, ensuring processes that allow for faculty governance as required by accreditors/external standards.
  • Manage and provide direction to the curriculum definition and course development processes.
  • Engage in regular collaboration with key internal stakeholders to support effectiveness and efficiency in school operations.
  • Provide oversight to operational processes supporting the school’s optimal functioning; identify and implement efficiencies whenever possible.
• Talent Management
  • Create and implement a faculty staffing plan that supports academic quality, resource/financial goals, and accreditation/external standards.
  • Recruit, lead, manage, and develop program leaders, including program directors and faculty serving in leadership roles.
  • Ensure program leaders are held accountable for engaging and empowering their teams.
  • Set performance standards and goals for program directors, review performance results, and provide feedback and coaching.
  • Promote professional development across the school, creating opportunities for leaders to grow and develop.
  • Identify leadership potential across the school; create opportunities for leadership development.
  • Contribute to employee engagement initiatives.
  • Demonstrate superior leadership practices that create community and promote organizational effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Relevant experience as a scholar-practitioner in a discipline within the school.
• Experience leading remote teams in a highly matrixed environment.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years teaching in higher education, preferably in an institution that primarily provides instruction online.
• Evidence of successful, progressive leadership experience, including academic administration in a college or university setting.
• Experience with nursing accreditation (CCNE, ACEN) processes, regulatory compliance, and continuous quality improvement.
• Experience supporting, developing, and administering academic nursing programs in higher education.
• Record of scholarly contributions, including presentations, publications, and/or professional service preferred.
• Familiarity with Competency-Based education and direct assessment preferred.
• Ability to travel as required/needed.

Education

• Doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, DNP, or related terminal degree) from an accredited institution required.
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from an accredited institution required.
• All degrees must be conferred by an institution accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Certificates, licenses and registrations

• Active, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license required.
• Ability and willingness to obtain and maintain RN licensure in Minnesota and other states in which the institution operates.
• Multi-state licensure privilege through the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) preferred.

Other

• Must be able to travel up to 10% of the time.
• Must be able to work more than 40 hours per week when business needs warrant.
• Access information using a computer.
• Effectively and professionally communicate, verbally and written.
• Effectively cope with stressful situations.
• Strong mental acuity.
• Regular, dependable attendance and punctuality are essential functions of this job.

Benefits

• $117,000.00 - $120,000.00 is the expected starting pay for this position.
• Comprehensive package of benefits for employees scheduled 30 hours or more per week, including:
  • Medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans.
  • Well-being incentives, parental leave, paid time off, certain paid holidays.
  • Tax saving accounts (FSA, HSA), 401(k) retirement benefit, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, tuition assistance.
  • Entertainment and retail discounts.
• Non-exempt employees are eligible for overtime pay, if applicable.