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Associate Dean Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

The Associate Dean of Nursing will join a college on a growth trajectory and play a key role in shaping the future of nursing education in the region. Supported by a dedicated capital budget, Bay ...

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Associate Dean information

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$34K

$82.6K

$139.5K

How much do associate dean jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate dean in Michigan is $82,600.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $64,100.00 and $93,700.00 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 Michigan? The most popular types of Dean jobs in Michigan are:
What cities in Michigan are hiring for Associate Dean jobs? Cities in Michigan with the most Associate Dean job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Associate Dean jobs in MI? For Associate Dean jobs in MI, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Associate Dean job openings in Michigan as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,600 per year, or $39.7 per hour.
ASSOCIATE DEAN/HEALTH PROFESSIONS

ASSOCIATE DEAN/HEALTH PROFESSIONS

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, MI • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago


Central Michigan University rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 22 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

470th of 553 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Position Information
Position Information
Posting Number
S-3880
Position Number
69670
Type of Recruitment
External
Position Title
ASSOCIATE DEAN/HEALTH PROFESSIONS
Position Summary
The Associate Dean reports to the College Dean and works with Department/School Chairpersons, Program Directors, and other members of the College Leadership Team. The Associate Dean deals directly with individual members of the College, including faculty, staff, and students, as the occasion warrants. The Associate Dean serves as a Senior Officer of Central Michigan University and as the chief academic officer of the College in the absence of the Dean.
The Associate Dean provides support to the Dean in areas such as, but not necessarily limited to: curriculum; faculty workload and workflow approvals; faculty evaluations; budgeting; planning; program development; program review, accreditation and compliance; space allocation and remodeling; faculty reappointment, tenure, and promotion actions; faculty development; recruiting of new faculty and staff; enrollment management; facilitating of research and grant writing; student success; and supervision of college staff. The Associate Dean will be assigned leadership responsibility in these areas, as determined by the College Dean.
Required Qualifications
Terminal degree with academic credentials sufficient to be tenured at the level of associate or full professor in a department/school within the College.
Administrative leadership experience including academic chair, director, assistant dean or similarly situated position.Experience with academic budgeting and planning.
Experience in curriculum development and program evaluation/assessment.
Demonstrated record of high-quality teaching, scholarly or creative activity, and service.
Ability and willingness to represent the interests of the College to all constituencies.
Demonstrated commitment to ensuring that members of the university community can thrive.
Demonstrated commitment to collaborative leadership through active engagement with college and university stakeholders, while fostering strong partnerships with community organizations and external partners.
Effective communication skills across a variety of formats, including successful interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated leadership skills and commitment to shared governance.
Preferred Qualifications
Strong record of peer-reviewed scholarly publications and a demonstrated ability to secure external funding.
Knowledge in creating and implementing Interprofessional Education opportunities.
Demonstrated experience in recruiting students through outreach, engagement, and program promotion.
Experience in accreditation and affiliation agreements.
Experience in mediation and conflict resolution.
Knowledge of collective bargaining principles, particularly in higher education.
Experience with successful implementation/application of information technology to the academic enterprise.
Experience with external fundraising.
Experience in basic and/or applied scientific research.
Duties & Responsibilities
Supports the Dean in the academic, administrative, and strategic leadership of the College.
Assists with academic program management, faculty support, student success, policy implementation, and strategic planning.
Collaborates with faculty, staff, and university leadership to maintain academic excellence and ensure the effective operation of all programs and services within the College. Provides assistance to Departments/Schools which may include course scheduling and enrollment management.
Provides support to the Dean in areas such as, but not limited to: curriculum; faculty workload and workflow approvals, faculty evaluations, budgeting; planning; program development; program review, accreditation and compliance: space allocation and remodeling; faculty reappointment, tenure, and promotion actions; faculty development; recruiting of new faculty and staff; enrollment management; facilitating of research and grant writing; student success; and supervision of college staff.
Provides leadership in areas such as, but not limited to: curriculum; budgeting; planning; program development; space allocation and remodeling; faculty reappointment, tenure, and promotion actions; faculty development; recruiting of new faculty and staff; enrollment management; facilitating of research and grant writing; and supervision of college staff, as determined by the College Dean.
The Associate Dean may be assigned other duties, reasonably related to the operation of the College, at the discretion of the College Dean.
Supervision Exercised
Supervisors are expected to support the Leadership Standards of Central Michigan University and foster a culture that inspires excellence. The Leadership Standards define how we lead and treat others on our team. As leaders, it is our responsibility to seek input from our teams to continuously improve our leadership abilities and our demonstration of the standards. Additionally, it is our responsibility to encourage and support the growth and development of those whom we lead. At CMU, we encourage employees to grow both personally and professionally, and thus advance CMU's culture of excellence.
Message to Applicants
Central Michigan University is dedicated to fostering an environment that is reflective of the communities we serve. We are especially interested in highly qualified candidates who will advance and promote CMU's mission, vision, and leadership standards.
You must submit an on-line application in order to be considered as an applicant for this position.
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by June 28, 2026; however, the search will remain open until the position is filled.
Cover letters may be addressed to the Hiring Committee.
Employee Group
Senior Officer
Staff Pay Level
Pay Range
Division
Academic Affairs
Department
The College of Health Professions
Position Status
Regular
Position End Date
Employment Status
Full-Time
FTE
1.0
Position Type
12 month
Weekly Work Schedule
Typically Mon-Fri 8-5; evenings and weekends as needed
Location
Mount Pleasant, MI
About the Department
About CMU
Central Michigan University has a more than 125-year legacy of preparing students to become leaders and changemakers in their communities and in their personal and professional lives.
We serve nearly 15,500 students on our Mount Pleasant campus, in satellite locations around the state and throughout the country, and through flexible online programs. Many of our approximately 300 undergraduate, master's, specialist and doctoral programs in the arts, media, business, education, human services, health professions, liberal arts, social sciences, medicine, science and engineering are nationally ranked for excellence.
CMU leads the nation in leadership development programming through our Sarah R. Opperman Leadership Institute, and we are proud to be among only 5% of U.S. universities in the top two Carnegie research classifications. Our faculty work with graduate and undergraduate students in areas such as Great Lakes research, medical innovation, engineering technology and more.
Central is home to 17 men's and women's Division 1 sports including football, basketball, gymnastics, baseball, wrestling and more. Our student-athletes achieve great success in competition and in the classroom, capturing Mid-American Conference championships and maintaining an average cumulative GPA of 3.17.
CMU is located in Mount Pleasant, a community that blends the best of small-town living with big-city amenities. It's part of the culturally varied and vibrant Great Lakes Bay Region that also includes Saginaw, Bay City, Midland and the state's largest Native American community, centered on the Saginaw Chippewa Isabella Reservation in Mount Pleasant.
Area residents enjoy the mix of outdoor activities, cultural events, shopping and dining options, and family attractions. Other major Michigan destinations and attractions - Lansing, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Traverse City, wineries, beaches, golf and ski resorts, and many more - are within easy reach of the city's central location in Michigan's Lower Peninsula.
CMU employees enjoy access to a nationally recognized wellness program along with health care and benefits that exceed regional, state and national norms.
CMU Leadership Standards
Central Michigan University is a place where we value students and work for their success, where we act as family, and where employees are engaged, appreciated and have extraordinary opportunities to make a difference.
We intentionally maintain and strengthen the hallmark CMU culture that sets us apart from our peers by expecting CMU leaders and employees to model the following Leadership Standards and develop them within their teams.
Please review the Leadership Standards before applying for this position.
EEO Statement
CMU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and institution. CMU does not discriminate against persons based on age, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, race, religion, sex, sex-based stereotypes, sexual orientation, transgender status, veteran status, or weight.
If you wish to see "Know Your Rights " posters, please click here.
CMU does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, including admission and employment, and is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 not to discriminate in such a matter.
Inquiries about the application of Title IX can be made to CMU's Title IX Coordinator, the US Department of Education's Assistant Secretary, or both.
CMU's Title IX Coordinator can be reached at:
Phone: 989-774-3253
Office: 103 E. Preston St.
Bovee University Center, suite 306
Mount Pleasant, MI 48858
Email: titleix@cmich.edu
Posting Ends
Open Until Filled
Yes

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