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Academic Dean Jobs in Alabama (NOW HIRING)

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Academic Dean information

See Alabama salary details

$22.2K

$83.3K

$147.3K

How much do academic dean jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for academic dean in Alabama is $83,278.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,600.00 and $99,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an academic dean do?

Academic deans oversee student activities, curriculum, and faculty at colleges and many high schools. They are among the senior administrators at the school, and they monitor faculty hires, staff development, curriculum programs, student activities, and other areas that directly affect students. Many academic deans come from a teaching background, so their primary responsibility is to ensure the faculty are meeting the needs of students, as well as provide support for teachers who need additional assistance with particular students or who have general teaching issues. In this role, you may also manage your staff budget, develop educational programs, coordinate student activities, provide counseling to students and staff, and help resolve discipline problems.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an academic dean?

To thrive as an Academic Dean, you need advanced academic credentials (often a doctoral degree), leadership experience in higher education, and expertise in curriculum development and academic policy. Familiarity with institutional management systems, accreditation processes, and data analysis tools is typically required. Exceptional communication, strategic vision, and conflict resolution abilities set outstanding deans apart. These skills are crucial for ensuring academic quality, supporting faculty and student success, and guiding institutional growth.

How does an academic dean typically collaborate with faculty and department heads to achieve academic goals?

An Academic Dean works closely with faculty and department heads to set academic priorities, develop new programs, and ensure curriculum quality. Regular meetings, strategic planning sessions, and open communication channels are essential for aligning departmental goals with the institution's mission. Deans often mediate resource allocation, support faculty development, and facilitate interdisciplinary initiatives. This collaborative environment helps foster innovation and maintains high academic standards.

What is the difference between Academic Dean vs Department Chair?

AspectAcademic DeanDepartment Chair
CredentialsMaster's or Doctorate in Education or related fieldMaster's or Doctorate in specific academic discipline
Work EnvironmentAdministrative leadership in colleges or universities overseeing multiple departmentsAcademic leadership within a specific department or program
Employer & IndustryUniversities, colleges, higher education institutionsUniversities, colleges, academic departments
Primary FocusInstitution-wide academic policies, faculty oversight, strategic planningCurriculum development, faculty management, departmental operations

The main difference between an Academic Dean and a Department Chair lies in their scope of responsibilities. An Academic Dean oversees multiple departments and focuses on institutional policies and strategic planning, while a Department Chair manages a specific department's curriculum and faculty. Both roles require advanced degrees and are integral to higher education leadership, but their levels of oversight and focus areas differ.

What job categories do people searching Academic Dean jobs in Alabama look for?

The top searched job categories for Academic Dean jobs in Alabama are:

What cities in Alabama are hiring for Academic Dean jobs?

Cities in Alabama with the most Academic Dean job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Academic Dean jobs in AL?

For Academic Dean jobs in AL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Academic Dean job openings in Alabama as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 60% Full Time, 33% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 74% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 25% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $83,278 per year, or $40 per hour.

Dean, Harold Loyd Murphy Graduate School

Montgomery, AL โ€ข On-site

Alabama State University
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schoolsย โ€ขย 1 - 5K employees

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago


Job description

Salary: Negotiable
Location : Montgomery, AL
Job Type: Full-time Staff
Job Number: STF-26-0165
Department: Academic Affairs
Division: School of Graduate Studies
Opening Date: 08/10/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Job Description
Alabama State University, Academic Affairs, invites applications to the the Dean, Harold Loyd Murphy Graduate School position. The Dean of the Harold Loyd Murphy Graduate School serves as the chief academic officer of the Graduate School and reports to the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Dean provides strategic vision, leadership, and advocacy for graduate education, graduate faculty, staff, and students while ensuring the quality and integrity of all graduate programs offered by the University's colleges. The Dean is responsible for providing leadership and oversight for all graduate education functions at Alabama State University.
Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Provide strategic leadership for the Harold Loyd Murphy Graduate School.
  • Ensure the quality, effectiveness, and continuous improvement of graduate education programs.
  • Supervise the Graduate School staff.
  • Collaborate with academic deans, associate deans for graduate programs, faculty, and the Graduate Council to develop and implement graduate academic policies and procedures.
  • Maintain and oversee the Graduate Catalog.
  • Approve faculty committees for all doctoral degree candidates.
  • Schedule final oral examinations for doctoral candidates.
  • Review and approve master's theses and doctoral dissertations.
  • Certify candidates for master's and doctoral degree graduation.
  • Promote excellence in graduate education through effective policies, academic standards, and student support services.
  • Share responsibility for the overall welfare and success of graduate students.
  • Support the recruitment, mentoring, training, and professional development of graduate teaching assistants and graduate research assistants.
  • Foster collaboration among academic colleges to strengthen graduate programs.
  • Ensure compliance with University policies, accreditation requirements, and graduate academic standards.

Minimum Qualifications
An earned doctorate from an accredited college or university, a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible academic leadership experience, demonstrated leadership in graduate education and academic administration, experience supervising faculty, professional staff, and academic programs, knowledge of higher education governance, accreditation standards, and educational compliance requirements, must have strong communication, organizational, and collaborative leadership skills, and experience working successfully in a diverse academic environment.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Successful record of scholarship, teaching, and service.
  • Experience with graduate program development and assessment.
  • Experience with graduate student recruitment, retention, and success initiatives.
  • Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships across academic colleges and administrative units.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with learning management systems enterprise resource planning systems, and graduate recruitment systems.

Supplemental Information
EEOC STATEMENT:
It is the policy of Alabama State University to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.
Federal law requires identity and employment eligibility verification on Form I-9 within three (3) business days of employment.
All positions require the passing of a background check and some the passing of a drug screen.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama Group Health and Dental
MetLife Group Life Insurance
Guardian Life Inusrance Group Long-Term Disability Insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Sick Leave
Annual Leave
Paid Holidays
State Retirement Program
Flexible Spending Account
Tuition Assistance
Click to visit the Alabama State University website for full benefit descriptions.