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Associate Dean Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Associate Dean information

See California salary details

$38.5K

$93.5K

$157.9K

How much do associate dean jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate dean in California is $93,528.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,500.00 and $106,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Do Associate Deans Do?

An associate dean works with the faculty members of an academic institution. They are often assigned to a specific school or college. For example, the associate dean of arts is required to direct operations, such as teaching schedules and students’ admissions, in the college of arts. People in this job report to the dean and must promote the values of the academic institution. Qualifications for this career requires an advanced degree and ample experience in academia. Associate deans must have good collaboration and decision-making skills.

What are Associate Deans?

Associate Deans are senior academic administrators in colleges or universities who support the Dean in managing academic affairs, programs, and faculty within a specific division or department. Their responsibilities often include curriculum development, faculty recruitment, student affairs, and policy implementation. Associate Deans may also represent the Dean at meetings, oversee budgets, and help resolve academic issues. They play a key role in maintaining academic standards and supporting the institution's mission. The exact duties can vary depending on the institution and the academic area they oversee.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Associate Dean, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Dean, you need advanced academic credentials (often a doctorate), leadership experience in higher education, and a deep understanding of academic policy and program development. Familiarity with learning management systems, institutional reporting tools, and accreditation standards is typically required. Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and team-building skills help foster collaboration and drive institutional goals. These qualifications ensure effective academic leadership, program innovation, and alignment with organizational objectives.

What are some common challenges faced by an Associate Dean, and how are they typically addressed?

Associate Deans often juggle multiple responsibilities, such as overseeing academic programs, managing faculty concerns, and supporting student success initiatives. A frequent challenge is balancing administrative duties with the need to foster collaboration among diverse departments. To address these challenges, Associate Deans prioritize effective communication, delegate tasks appropriately, and stay proactive in conflict resolution. Building strong relationships with faculty, staff, and students also helps them create an inclusive and productive academic environment.

What is the difference between Associate Dean vs Department Chair?

AspectAssociate DeanDepartment Chair
CredentialsTypically requires advanced degrees (e.g., Master's or Doctorate) and experience in academia or administrationUsually holds a faculty position with a terminal degree in their field, often with administrative experience
Work EnvironmentWorks across multiple departments or schools within an institution, focusing on strategic planning and policyManages a specific academic department, overseeing faculty, curriculum, and departmental operations
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly found in universities and colleges, especially in administrative or leadership rolesFound in higher education institutions, primarily in academic departments

While both roles are leadership positions within educational institutions, the Associate Dean oversees broader administrative functions across multiple departments or schools, whereas the Department Chair focuses on managing a specific academic department. The Associate Dean often handles strategic planning and institutional policies, while the Department Chair concentrates on faculty management and curriculum within their department.

What are the most commonly searched types of Dean jobs in California? The most popular types of Dean jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Associate Dean jobs? Cities in California with the most Associate Dean job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Associate Dean jobs in CA? For Associate Dean jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Associate Dean job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, and 4% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $93,528 per year, or $45 per hour.

Associate Dean, University Library

California State University

Los Angeles, CA

Other

Re-posted 5 days ago


California State University rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 45 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

254th of 614 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Associate Dean, University Library

Apply now Job no: 554732
Work type: Management (MPP)
Location: Los Angeles
Categories: MPP, Administrative, At-Will, Full Time, Library
Position Description

As part of our equity and diversity commitment and continuing effort to offer career ladder opportunities to our employees, the following position is being offered as a promotional recruitment effort. Only current staff/faculty on-campus may apply.

Job No: 554732; 01/27/2026

**ON-CAMPUS ONLY**
ASSOCIATE DEAN, UNIVERSITY LIBRARY


California State University, Los Angeles, invites applications for the above Administrator III position.

The University: California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) is one of 22 campuses within the California State University system.  The University is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. We offer nationally recognized programs, and our faculty have a strong commitment to scholarship, research, creative pursuits, and service.

As a federally recognized Hispanic-serving (HSI) and Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-serving institution (AANAPISI), Cal State LA recognizes the transformative power of education and embraces its duty to identify and serve the needs of all its students. The University is committed to creating a community in which a diverse population of students, faculty, and staff can thrive.

The Position: The Associate Dean of the University Library reports to the Dean and serves as the Dean's primary administrative partner, assuming leadership of the Library in the Dean's absence. As a member of the University Library's senior management team, the Associate Dean provides operational leadership, coordination, and support for library services, planning processes, and assessment initiatives. Working collaboratively with library faculty, staff, and campus partners, the Associate Dean helps advance the library's mission to foster student and faculty success, research, teaching excellence, and creative activity at Cal State LA. Under direction of the Dean, the Associate Dean supports the administrative oversight of the Library's Collections, Discovery, and Content Management (CDCM); Operations and User Experience/Services (OUX); Learning, Research, and Engagement Services (LRES); Special Collections and Archives (SCA); and Technology and Digital Strategies (TDS) departments and directly supervises staff in the Library Administrative Office (LAO). The Associate Dean coordinates operations across these areas to promote high-quality library services, operational efficiency, and innovation. The Associate Dean supports library faculty in their professional responsibilities, scholarship, and professional service, and supports the professional development of staff, fostering a collegial environment that values creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement. The position leads and coordinates initiatives that strengthen organizational effectiveness, professional development, assessment practices, and operational resource planning, contributing to a collaborative and adaptive library culture committed to user-centered service and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications & Experience: Master's degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program (or equivalent advanced degree in information or library science). Current rank of Associate Librarian or higher. Experience building effective partnerships across diverse campus and community groups, with excellent written and oral communication skills. Experience fostering a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible environment for students, faculty, and staff.  Record of significant and successful involvement and leadership in college and university organizational units. Incumbent must demonstrate an interest or ability in working in a multicultural/multiethnic environment. A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who may apply for the position.

California State University, Los Angeles, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California. As of January 1, 2022 the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

Desired Qualifications: Experience developing and implementing strategic plans, library assessment, and managing resources to support institutional priorities. Experience fostering an inclusive and collaborative work environment when leading cross-departmental projects, services, or initiatives. Experience engaging in development, external relations, or advocacy initiatives that elevate the role of the library in academic success. Experience working collaboratively with academic advising, academic affairs, or other campus areas to embed librarian instruction and library resources into the curriculum. Record of supporting and demonstrated experience working in shared governance. Demonstrated success recruiting and supporting the growth of library personnel. Broad understanding of core library functions such as collections, including special collections and archives, access services, scholarly communication, teaching, learning, and research support, digital strategies, and assessment. Knowledge of emerging trends in academic libraries. Familiarity with collective bargaining environments and collaborative decision-making in higher education.

Compensation: Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Salary range is $6,891 - $22,119/monthly. (Budgeted hiring salary range $11,500 - $13,000/monthly). A comprehensive benefits package is provided.

Appointment: The Administrator III appointment will be made under the guidelines for management and supervisory employees of the California State University.  All rights and benefits associated with this appointment are governed by the Management Personnel Plan.

This position is a "designated position" in the California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. The successful candidate accepting this position is required to file Conflict of Interest forms subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.

Closing Date: Review of applications will begin on February 9, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled; however, the position may close when an adequate number of qualified applications are received. A completed online Cal State LA employment application is required. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

The person holding this position is considered a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 revised July 21, 2017, as a condition of employment.
In addition to meeting fully its obligations under federal and state law, California State University, Los Angeles is committed to creating a community in which a diverse population can live and work in an atmosphere of tolerance, civility and respect for the rights and sensibilities of each individual. To that end, all qualified individuals will receive equal consideration without regard to economic status, race, ethnicity, color, religion, disability, national origin or cultural background, political views, sex or sexual orientation, gender, or other personal characteristics or beliefs.
Candidates must demonstrate ability and/or interest in working in a multicultural/multiethnic environment. Certain positions require fingerprinting. The University actively encourages qualified minorities, women and persons with a disability to apply.  Upon request, reasonable accommodation will be provided to individuals with protected disabilities to (a) complete the employment process and (b) perform essential job functions when this does not cause an undue hardship. We are an Equal Opportunity/Title IX Employer.
To obtain employment information for the impaired call:
TDD Line (323) 343-3670
24-hour Dial-A-Job Line (323) 343-3678

Advertised: Jan 27 2026 Pacific Standard Time
Applications close:

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About California State University

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

California State University, Fresno is one of 23 campuses in the California State University System. The University's mission is to boldly educate and empower students for success through our values of Discovery, Diversity and Distinction. The current student population is more than 25,000, including a large percentage of students with diverse and culturally rich backgrounds. The University serves the San Joaquin Valley while maintaining deep involvement with the state, nation, and across the globe.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Long Beach, CA, US