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Associate Dean Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

APSU, Inc.

Dean, Honors College

Clarksville, TN · On-site

Support and guide the work of the Associate Dean in Honors course scheduling, Honors course development, assessment, student success outcomes, internship placement, and retention and graduation ...

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Associate Dean information

See Tennessee salary details

$35.4K

$86K

$145.2K

How much do associate dean jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate dean in Tennessee is $86,014.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,700.00 and $97,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate dean?

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 does an associate dean 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 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.

More about Associate Dean jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Dean jobs in Tennessee?

The most popular types of Dean jobs in Tennessee are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Associate Dean jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Associate Dean job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Associate Dean jobs in TN?

For Associate Dean jobs in TN, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Associate Dean jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Dean job openings in Tennessee as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,014 per year, or $41.4 per hour.

Associate Dean for Clinical Education

Nashville, TN • On-site

Vanderbilt University
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 5 - 10K employees
Learn more about Vanderbilt Universityexternal

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago

Vanderbilt University rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 42 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Description
Vanderbilt Law School seeks applicants for the position of Associate Dean for Clinical Education. The Associate Dean is a high-level law school administrator and full-time clinical professor of law, without tenure. The Associate Dean directs the legal clinic and runs a legal clinic of their own. The legal clinic is presently comprised of seven individual legal clinics, which are run by full-time, non-tenure-track, clinical faculty, including the Associate Dean; two full-time legal assistants; and one full-time administrative manager.
The Associate Dean supervises the operation of the legal clinic, mentors junior clinical faculty, and manages the renewal and promotion process for clinical faculty. The Associate Dean collaborates with the Vice Dean, the Assistant Dean for Externships, and the Assistant Dean for Public Interest to develop and promote experiential legal education at the Law School, serving both students and clients as well as elevating the law school's rankings and national reputation.
The Associate Dean will carry a 12-month appointment and an initial five-year term.
Qualifications
The position requires a JD and extensive experience in clinical education. The final candidate for this position must successfully complete a background check.
Application Instructions
Please apply only through this link: https://apply.interfolio.com/190842. We cannot accept applications not submitted using this link.
Please contact Professor Dan Sharfstein with questions (daniel.sharfstein@vanderbilt.edu).

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