Executive Dean

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  • Full Time
  • Miami, FL

Executive Dean – Miami, FL 

This is a rare opportunity to serve as the founding academic and operational leader of a new international higher education hub being established in the United States by a globally recognized university headquartered in London.
The hub is part of a broader global expansion strategy focused on careers-first education, employer engagement, applied research, and transnational academic delivery. Designed as an integrated campus model, the operation brings together recruitment, academic programs, enterprise activity, philanthropy, and research partnerships under a single leadership structure.

The Executive Dean will be responsible for launching, scaling, and leading this hub, serving as the senior academic executive on the ground while working closely with executive leadership in London and across international markets. This role combines academic credibility with entrepreneurial leadership and operational accountability.

Position Summary
The Executive Dean is a senior academic and executive leader responsible for shaping and delivering the strategic vision, academic quality, and operational performance of the Hub. As a member of the University Executive Board, the Executive Dean works collaboratively across the institution to advance a comprehensive agenda spanning teaching, research, enterprise, and student success.

This role requires an inspirational, influential, and highly collaborative leader capable of aligning diverse academic, professional, and external stakeholders behind a shared mission. The successful candidate will bring a strong understanding of higher education policy at the national and state level relevant to the Hub’s location, alongside experience operating within complex international and cross-border environments.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Vision

  • Set and execute the strategic direction for the Hub, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and long-term global strategy
  • Lead multi-year planning across academic development, research growth, workforce strategy, and portfolio expansion
  • Build a culture of innovation, inclusion, accountability, and continuous improvement

Academic Portfolio, Teaching & Student Success

  • Lead curriculum development and enhancement, with a focus on future-ready, employer-aligned academic programs
  • Ensure excellence in teaching quality, assessment practices, and student support services
  • Drive measurable improvements in student satisfaction, retention, progression, and graduate employability
  • Champion academic integrity, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance

Research, Enterprise & Knowledge Exchange

  • Strengthen applied and inclusive research activity, performance, and international reputation
  • Promote interdisciplinary research, external funding, and high-impact outputs
  • Lead enterprise activity including consultancy, executive education, CPD, commercial partnerships, and knowledge exchange

External Engagement & Partnerships

  • Build and maintain strategic partnerships with employers, industry bodies, professional associations, and academic networks
  • Represent the University at regional, national, and international levels
  • Engage with government, policy, and sector stakeholders to enhance visibility, influence, and innovation

Operational & Financial Leadership

  • Lead annual planning, budgeting, forecasting, and performance management for the Hub
  • Ensure financial sustainability through enrollment growth, diversified revenue streams, research funding, and enterprise activity
  • Oversee resource allocation, staffing models, facilities development, and digital innovation

Leadership of People & Culture

  • Lead, mentor, and develop academic and professional staff
  • Foster a high-performance culture grounded in transparency, accountability, well-being, and professional growth
  • Champion equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racist commitments

Institutional Contribution

  • Serve as an active member of the University Executive Board
  • Collaborate with fellow Executive Deans, Vice-Chancellors, and senior leaders to ensure integrated delivery across the institution
  • Lead or sponsor institutional transformation initiatives as assigned by the Vice-Chancellor & President

Additional Responsibilities

  • Provide senior representation at conferences, public engagements, and external events
  • Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory, statutory, and institutional requirements
  • Undertake additional responsibilities as directed by the Vice-Chancellor & President

Candidate Profile
Required Qualifications

  • Doctorate (PhD or Professional Doctorate) or equivalent professional standing appropriate for senior academic leadership
  • Evidence of significant academic achievement, research profile, and/or professional recognition

Preferred Qualifications

  • Senior or Principal Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy or equivalent
  • Executive leadership development or advanced management training

Required Experience & Expertise

  • Extensive senior leadership experience within a large, complex academic organization
  • Demonstrated success delivering measurable improvements in academic quality, research performance, employability outcomes, or institutional transformation
  • Strong understanding of higher education policy, regulatory frameworks, and quality assurance
  • Experience leading large-scale change initiatives and cultural transformation
  • Proven track record in research leadership, enterprise activity, external funding, or partnership development
  • Deep understanding of local higher education systems and regulatory environments
  • Ability to balance academic credibility with strong strategic, operational, and financial leadership
  • Demonstrated success leading multicultural teams across local, regional, and international contexts
  • Experience operating within hybrid environments involving public institutions and private-sector partners

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Excelon does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, marital or veteran status, disability, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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