Dean of the Business School

Position Details
University of Colorado | Denver
Official Title: Dean
Working Title: Dean of the Business School
FTE: Full-time
Salary Range: $260,000 - $320,000
Position # 00350380 - Requisition #41199

About the University of Colorado Denver
Millions of moments start at CU Denver, a place where innovation, research, and learning meet in the heart of a global city. We're the state's premier public urban research university with more than 100 in-demand, top-ranked bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs. We partner with diverse learners-at any stage of their life and career-for transformative educational experiences. Across seven schools and colleges, our leading faculty inspires and works alongside students to solve complex challenges and produce impactful creative work. As part of the state's largest university system, CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy, with 2,000 employees and an annual economic impact of $665 million. To learn more about how CU Denver helps learners meet their moment, visit ucdenver.edu.

Job Description
* Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at Summit Search Solutions- Dean of the Business School - University of Colorado Denver (Denver, CO) *
The Dean of the Business School, reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, is responsible for serving as the chief academic officer of the school with full responsibility for its academic programs and curricula, the school's budget, outreach and engagement with the business community, and development activities. In collaboration with the faculty, the Dean will provide intellectual leadership and a strong commitment to the School's undergraduate and graduate programs. The Dean is expected to increase the school's resource base by leading fundraising activities for the school, in partnership with an advancement officer. The Dean will also: strengthen engagement of and collaborations with industry and business partners; increase the amount and visibility of scholarship (research/creative work) activity of the faculty; work to promote transformation, innovation and entrepreneurial activities that will prepare the school well for the future; lead the development of strategies to increase enrollments, improve retention and enhance the student experience including internships and other experiential learning activities; foster a climate that demonstrates a commitment to diversity and inclusion; develop a strong alumni network in conjunction with an enhanced focus on job placement; and demonstrate a strong commitment to the university's urban location while exploring opportunities to engage across Colorado and around the globe.

Dean of Business School
What you will do:
Reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the Dean serves as the chief academic, administrative, and financial officer of the Business School. The Dean provides visionary, collaborative, and entrepreneurial leadership that advances the School's mission and aligns with the university's strategic plan. Working closely with faculty, staff, students, alumni, industry partners, and university leadership, the Dean will strengthen academic excellence, expand the School's impact, foster innovation and entrepreneurship, support research production, and enhance student success and workforce outcomes.

Strategic Leadership and Vision
Provide bold, collaborative leadership to advance the Business School and position it for long-term success.
* Develop and implement a strategic vision for the Business School that aligns with the university's refreshed strategic plan and reflects the opportunities of a leading urban research university.
* Foster a culture of innovation, adaptability, and continuous improvement in response to emerging trends in business, technology, workforce development, and higher education.
* Partner with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community stakeholders to identify priorities and achieve measurable outcomes.
* Collaborate with the Provost, Deans, and campus leaders to advance institution-wide goals and initiatives.
* Serve as the chief advocate and ambassador for the Business School locally, statewide, nationally, and globally.

Academic Excellence, Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship
Advance excellence in teaching, scholarship, innovation, and entrepreneurial thinking across all programs.
* Provide intellectual leadership for undergraduate, graduate, executive, and professional education programs.
* Support faculty excellence in teaching, research, creative work, and community-engaged scholarship.
* Increase the visibility, impact, and external funding of faculty scholarship and research.
* Promote interdisciplinary collaboration and partnerships that address complex business and societal challenges.
* Strengthen innovation, entrepreneurship, and experiential learning throughout the curriculum and co-curricular experience.
* Ensure successful maintenance and continuous improvement of AACSB accreditation and academic quality standards.
* Position the School as a leader in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, digital transformation, sustainability, and entrepreneurial innovation.

Student Success and Career Outcomes
Champion a student-centered culture that promotes access, success, belonging, and career readiness.
* Lead strategies that increase enrollment, persistence, retention, graduation, and post-graduation success.
* Enhance the student experience through high-impact practices, experiential learning, internships, applied projects, and global learning opportunities.
* Strengthen pathways that support student achievement and social mobility.
* Expand partnerships that create employment opportunities, career preparation, and professional mentorship.
* Foster an inclusive learning environment where all students can thrive and achieve their educational goals.
* Utilize data-informed decisionsto support enrollment management, student success, and program effectiveness.

Partnerships, Advancement, and External Engagement
Cultivate relationships that advance the School's reputation, impact, and resource base.
* Build and strengthen strategic partnerships with business, industry, government, nonprofit, and community organizations.
* Expand collaborations that support internships, workforce development, sponsored research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
* Lead fundraising efforts in partnership with University Advancement to secure philanthropic support and strategic investments.
* Engage alumni as ambassadors, mentors, advisors, employers, and donors.
* Enhance the visibility and reputation of the Business School through thought leadership and engagement with external stakeholders.
* Leverage the university's urban location to create meaningful regional, statewide, national, and global partnerships.

Organizational, Financial, and People Leadership
Lead with transparency, collaboration, accountability, and a commitment to shared governance.
* Oversee the School's budget, personnel, facilities, and resources to ensure long-term fiscal sustainability.
* Recruit, retain, develop, and support outstanding faculty and staff.
* Support department chairs and program directors in achieving academic and strategic goals.
* Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, trust, shared governance, and mutual respect.
* Promote excellence through clear expectations, assessment, and continuous improvement.
* Advance a welcoming and inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds.
* Meet established goals and performance expectations while ensuring responsible stewardship of university resources.

Qualifications you already possess (Minimum Qualifications)
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.
* Earned terminal degree in a discipline relevant to the Business School's academic programs.
* Record of transformative leadership demonstrating the ability to develop and execute strategic priorities, lead organizational change, and achieve measurable results.
* Evidence of success building partnerships with industry, government, nonprofit, and community organizations.
* Demonstrated ability to secure resources through fundraising, external partnerships, sponsored programs, or other revenue-generating activities.
* Proven ability to lead collaboratively and effectively in complex organizations.

Preferred Qualification to possess (Preferred Qualifications)
* Successful senior leadership experience at a research university, business school, or comparable complex organization.
* Demonstrated record of advancing innovation, entrepreneurship, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
* Experience leading initiatives that improve student success, enrollment growth, retention, and career outcomes.
* Record of advancing inclusive excellence and fostering environments where diverse communities thrive.
* Understanding of the evolving landscape of business education, including technology-enabled learning, AI, workforce partnerships, and emerging business disciplines.
* Experience with strategic planning, accreditation, and organizational transformation.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
* A strong record of thought leadership and influence in business; credibility with business and government leaders as an innovator in business practice and education; and strong mentorship;
* Exceptional visionary and strategic thinking and leadership skills;
* A record of successful engagement with the business community;
* Excellence in leading, evaluating, recruiting and analyzing;
* Demonstrated management and administrative ability;
* Effectiveness as a fundraiser, networker and strategic alliance-builder;
* A commitment to diversity and inclusion;
* Successful experience and/or strong potential for success building and/or enhancing strong programs of corporate sponsorships, funded research, and other mission-aligned revenue generation;
* Success in establishing mutually beneficial relationships with external constituents such as, but not limited to, alumni, government, and accrediting bodies;
* Excellent oral and written communication skills;
* The ability to build and work with teams up and across the organization;
* Demonstrable accomplishments in working with business-related constituencies that will bridge to a university setting;
* A strong record demonstrating a broad working knowledge of innovation and accomplishment, entrepreneurship and technology application in business at the local, state, national and international levels;
* Experience with CRM systems and data driven decision making that will translate to enrollment and marketing;
* Ability to lead the development of strategies to increase enrollments, improve retention and enhance the student experience including internships and experiential learning activities.

Conditions of Employment
* Occasional work during the evening and/or weekends may be required.
* This position follows a hybrid work structure where employees can work remotely or from the office, as needed, based on demands of specific tasks or personal work preferences. Working from the office is encouraged when working on tasks that require a high degree of collaboration.
* This position is for a three-year appointment. A review will be conducted during the third year to determine reappointment.

Mental, Physical, and/or Environmental Requirements
* The ability to sit for extended periods, stand and walk occasionally, reach with hands and arms, use hands to manipulate a keyboard and mouse, and have good near vision for computer work;often requiring minimal lifting, but may involve bending or reaching to retrieve items from shelves or drawers.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at workplaceengagement@ucdenver.edu .

Employment Sponsorship
Please be advised that this position is not eligible now or in the future for visa sponsorship.

Compensation and Benefits
The salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established at $260,000 - $320,000. For candidates considering a move, relocation assistance may be available.
The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.
The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
This position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado Denver provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.
Benefits: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits
Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

Application Deadline
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Preference will be given to complete applications received by October 10, 2026. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Required Application Materials:
To apply, please visit: Summit Search Solutions- Dean of the Business School - University of Colorado Denver (Denver, CO) and attach:
* A cover letter which specifically addresses the job requirements and outlines qualifications
* A current CV/resume
* List of three references (we will notify you prior to contacting both on and off-list references)

Questions should be directed to Lyndi Hewitt, lhewitt@summitsearchsolutions.com

Background Check Policy
The University of Colorado Denver strives to maintain a safe and productive educational, clinical, research and employment environment. All prospective employees and current employees must, therefore, consent to and pass background checks prior to any final appointment/employment.