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College Dean Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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How much do college dean jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for college dean in the United States is $105,749.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,000.00 and $131,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are college deans?

College deans are senior administrators at colleges or universities who oversee specific academic units, such as a college within a university or a particular department. They are responsible for managing faculty, budgeting, academic programs, and student affairs within their domain. Deans also serve as a bridge between the institution’s leadership and faculty, ensuring policies and goals are implemented effectively. Their role is crucial in upholding academic standards and fostering a positive learning environment.

What are some of the primary challenges a College Dean faces in balancing administrative duties with academic leadership?

A College Dean often navigates the complex challenge of balancing administrative responsibilities—such as budgeting, compliance, and personnel management—with providing academic leadership and fostering a vibrant learning environment. Deans must allocate time and resources to support faculty, champion student success, and drive strategic initiatives, all while ensuring institutional policies and accreditation standards are met. Effective communication and delegation are essential, as Deans frequently collaborate with department chairs, faculty, and university leadership to align goals and address emerging issues. This dynamic role requires adaptability, strong organizational skills, and the ability to mediate diverse interests within the college.

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

To thrive as a College Dean, you need advanced academic credentials (typically a doctorate), leadership experience in higher education, and a deep understanding of academic policies and administration. Familiarity with student information systems, accreditation processes, budgeting software, and strategic planning tools is essential. Outstanding interpersonal skills, vision, and the ability to collaborate and communicate effectively make a Dean truly exceptional. These competencies are crucial for guiding institutional growth, ensuring academic excellence, and fostering a positive educational environment.

What is the difference between College Dean vs Department Chair?

AspectCollege DeanDepartment Chair
CredentialsTypically requires a doctoral degree and extensive academic experienceUsually requires a master's or doctoral degree in a relevant field
Work EnvironmentAdministrative leadership at the college or university levelLeadership within a specific academic department
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities and collegesUniversities and colleges
Primary ResponsibilitiesOverseeing multiple departments, strategic planning, budgeting, and policy developmentManaging faculty, curriculum, and departmental operations

The main difference between a College Dean and a Department Chair lies in their scope of responsibility. A College Dean oversees multiple departments and handles broader administrative and strategic tasks, while a Department Chair focuses on managing a specific academic department. Both roles require advanced degrees and are integral to higher education leadership.

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What are popular job titles related to College Dean jobs? For College Dean jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
ASSOCIATE DEAN/HEALTH PROFESSIONS

ASSOCIATE DEAN/HEALTH PROFESSIONS

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, MI • On-site

Full-time

Posted 21 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

457th of 536 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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