Academic Dean

Lamwork; United States; On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Lamwork is seeking an Academic Dean to oversee curriculum development and ensure compliance with accreditation standards. This role is pivotal in bridging leadership and faculty, focusing on quality educational outcomes.

The ideal candidate will coach teachers, manage assessments, and lead professional development initiatives. A Master's degree in Education Leadership is required, along with certifications in educational administration.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Education Leadership, a foundational credential for academic administration roles.
• Principal or Mid-Management Certification required by state agencies.
• Certified Instructional Coach validates structured coaching methodology for adult learners.

Responsibilities

• Coach teachers through structured observation cycles for targeted instructional growth.
• Oversee the school-wide assessment calendar for accurate administration.
• Lead professional development tied to teacher practice gaps and student outcome data.
• Manage teacher performance evaluations, setting growth targets.
• Analyze student achievement results to adjust pacing guides.

Skills

Curriculum Mapping and Standards Alignment

Student Information Systems (PowerSchool, Infinite Campus)

Assessment Data Analysis (MAP/NWEA, Illuminate Education)

IEP and ENL Compliance management

Teacher evaluation frameworks

Education

Master's degree in Education Leadership (M.Ed.)

Principal or Mid-Management Certification

Certified Instructional Coach (CIC)

TESOL/ELL Certification

Special Education Administration endorsement

Job description

Academic Dean Overview

Academic Dean explores curriculum development, faculty management, and accreditation compliance - key job requirements and average salary.

An Academic Dean is the senior instructional authority responsible for the overall quality of an institution's academic programs, bridging the school or campus leadership above and the teaching faculty below. Day to day, the role involves observing classrooms, analyzing student achievement data, coordinating assessment schedules, and designing professional development that closes identified gaps in teaching practice. Employers depend on this position to translate institutional standards into measurable outcomes for every student, making it one of the most consequential leadership roles in an educational organization. Based on Lamwork's research across Academic Dean job data, the position appears consistently across K-12 charter and urban schools, career colleges, and community colleges - though the core instructional leadership function remains the same across settings.

Academic Dean Key Responsibilities

• Coach teachers through structured observation cycles, translating written feedback into targeted instructional growth plans tied to defined benchmarks.
• Oversee the school-wide assessment calendar, including interim exams and state-mandated testing, to ensure accurate administration and compliance with federal requirements.
• Lead professional development sessions grounded in identified gaps in teacher practice and student outcome data from each testing cycle.
• Manage teacher performance evaluations in collaboration with the principal or campus leader, setting annual growth targets and documenting mid-year and end-of-year reviews.
• Analyze student achievement results after each assessment window to set reteach priorities and adjust pacing guides across grade levels or program areas.

Academic Dean Required Skills

Lamwork's review of Academic Dean postings shows that employers consistently prioritize both technical instructional expertise and cross-functional leadership capability for this role.

• Hard Skills: Curriculum Mapping and Standards Alignment, Student Information Systems (PowerSchool, Infinite Campus), Assessment Data Analysis (MAP/NWEA, Illuminate Education), IEP and ENL Compliance management, teacher evaluation frameworks

Academic Dean Certifications

Master's degree in Education Leadership (M.Ed.) - foundational credential for academic administration roles

Principal or Mid-Management Certification - required by many state agencies for campus-level evaluation authority

Certified Instructional Coach (CIC) - validates structured coaching methodology for adult learners

TESOL/ELL Certification - strengthens qualifications in schools serving English Language Learner populations

Special Education Administration endorsement - supports compliance oversight of IEP and 504 programs