Executive Dean, Academic Operations

Under the direction of the Executive Vice President and Provost, the Executive Dean, Academic Operations serves as a strategic and innovative leader responsible for advancing the systems, processes, and technologies that support academic excellence across Milwaukee Area Technical College. This role presents a unique opportunity to partner with faculty, deans, and key academic leaders to modernize operations, leverage emerging technologies, and strengthen institutional effectiveness in an increasingly AI-driven educational environment.

As MATC continues to grow and evolve, the Executive Dean leads efforts to design, implement, and continuously improve academic systems that enhance student success, instructional quality, operational efficiency, and data-informed decision making. The position fosters collaboration across Academic Affairs and the institution to ensure that technology, assessment, curriculum, scheduling, faculty workload management, and academic support processes are aligned with the College's strategic priorities and the future of teaching and learning.

The Executive Dean champions innovation and continuous improvement by encouraging exploration of new technologies, including artificial intelligence, automation, predictive analytics, and digital workflow solutions that enhance the student, faculty, and staff experience. Working closely with academic leadership, the position supports the development of responsive academic programs and operational practices that meet evolving workforce needs while maintaining a strong focus on student achievement, retention, and completion.

The position provides strategic leadership and oversight for Instructional Course, Program, and Institutional Assessment; Curriculum Management; Course and Room Scheduling; Academic Operations, including faculty workload administration, program review, and program vitality; and Study Abroad initiatives. Through these functions, the Executive Dean ensures the College maintains efficient, scalable, and student-centered academic systems capable of supporting future growth and innovation.

As a key member of the President's Cabinet, the Executive Dean collaborates with district-wide leaders, faculty, staff, and external partners to shape institutional strategy, improve cross-functional effectiveness, and advance a culture of inquiry, innovation, and continuous learning. The position is responsible for ensuring that departmental goals are achieved within established timelines and budgets, while maintaining compliance with applicable regulations and delivering exceptional service to students, faculty, and the broader college community.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership: In collaboration with MATC leadership; leads, develops and implements a strategy and strategic initiatives to create a proactive culture of inclusiveness, positive student experiences, and student success that supports MATC's strategic plan. Proactively identifies and supports students at risk and works to increase student retention and student success.
Curriculum Development and Staff Management: Provides Pathway leadership in the areas of program and curriculum development in collaboration with Pathway faculty and Program Advisory Committees, program improvement, and faculty development. Ensures the effectiveness of the district's development of new and modified curriculum, planning, and implementation. Reviews programs, certificates and courses for the Pathway to optimize growth in high demand areas. Modifies or deletes out-of-date programs and courses in collaboration with Pathway faculty and Program Advisory Committees of the Pathway based on the Program Review process. Coordinates with the Enrollment & Scheduling Office to approve the schedule of classes to be taught each term that fits in the general scheduling policy of the college, including the staffing of those classes and approving class cancellation decisions for the Pathway.
Data Analysis and Reporting: Provide timely analysis and information for data driven decision making for enrollment management and retention and processes. Establishes, implements, and maintains ongoing evaluation to allow for effective measurement through comprehensive data-driven, research-based short and long-term plans designed to attract and support enrollment management from admission to student academic program completion.
Regulation Accountability: Provides analysis of legislation and regulations related to accreditation. To ensure that all policies, practices and curriculum remain up to date and compliant.
Communication, Publications, and Online Systems: Ensures quality, uniformity and compliance in all academic pathway materials, brochures, publications, catalogs, and websites.
Budgeting & Fiscal Responsibility: Works with the leaders of the departments lead to manage the Pathway budget, including developing budget proposals, justifying expenses and monitoring accounts. Responsible for oversight of all equipment assigned to the Pathway and supervision of the expenditure of funds (e.g., approve equipment, supplies), including ensuring the upkeep/upgrade of the technical infrastructure, computers and equipment in Pathway classrooms, labs, and offices.
Cross-Functional Relationships and Collaborative Teamwork: Establishes, maintains, and enhances positive work relationships with MATC staff, faculty, and administrators to further behaviors, attitudes, and policies that support positive student experiences and student success while building a welcoming and inclusive culture at MATC.
Leadership and Supervision: Develops and manages high performing team highly skilled and motivated staff focused on the delivery of quality and value-added services and allocates cross-functional responsibilities and work processes. Responsibilities include hiring, coaching/mentoring, performance management, and progressive discipline as needed.
Ethics and Confidentiality: Practices honesty by demonstrating a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles, values, truthfulness and accuracy in all actions. Addresses all student and employee behavior in a confidential and respectful manner.
Continuous Learning & Professional Development: Maintains current knowledge of best practices and standards related to inclusiveness, positive student experiences, and student success in higher education. Actively organizes and/or participates in applicable workgroups, trainings, workshops, seminars, committed and professional associations or conferences to promote continuous learning.
Other Duties: Performs other related duties within the scope of the position as required for the efficient operation of the division and to support institutional objectives.

Delegation of Work:

Regularly assigns work to subordinate(s).
Supervision Given: Supervises managerial, supervisory, and professional personnel. Provides recommendations on hiring new employees; on coaching and counseling; on training; and granting time off.

Qualifications:

Compliance with all state, federal, and accreditation standards/requirements, as well as all MATC policies and procedures.

Minimum Required Qualifications

Master's degree in a related field. At least five (5) years of professional level vocational experience in academic affairs in a diverse multi-campus environment; prior experience in post-secondary vocational/technical education
At least one year (2,000 hours) of paid non-educational work experience.
Three (3) years of management or supervisory experience of professional staff.

Preferred Education & Experience:

Ph.D. in a related field and more than eight (8) years direct experience performing the responsibilities described in the job description.

Supplemental Information:

Start Date: This position is available vacant and open to start immediately.

Hours: This position is full-time and works 40 hours (8am - 5:00pm) Monday - Friday. There may be the need to work additional hours per business needs. All work must be completed in the state of Wisconsin.

Salary: Salaries are listed up to the midpoint of the range and placement is determined based on years of experience, internal salary equity, and a review of the applicant's employment and educational background as listed on the job application.

Application Materials & Requirements: To be considered for this position, all applicants (both internal and external) must submit a thoroughly complete application.

Please follow these steps.

Complete the Employment Application in its Entirety

You must provide thorough and detailed information for all sections of the application form. An incomplete application will not be considered or reviewed.

Attach All Required Documents (At Time of Application)

Cover Letter
Resume

Interview: Note when interviews will be conducted) Virtual interviews will be scheduled within a few weeks of position closing date. Final candidates will be invited to participate in an onsite campus interview or forum (TBD). Travel expenses will be reimbursed by the college.

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