Academic Dean, Languages, Arts and Social Sciences

Virginia's Community College System; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 153,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia's Community College System seeks an Academic Dean for Languages, Arts and Social Sciences to lead faculty and programs across divisions. The role focuses on program development, student success, and collaboration with other colleges and offices.

The position oversees scheduling, budgeting and policy compliance, while advancing accreditation standards and strategic priorities within a 12-month role at NOVA campuses.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of effective supervision, personnel management and employee development principles.
• Knowledge of budget planning and fiscal management practices.
• Knowledge of academic program evaluation, curriculum development and continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of leadership and strategic planning principles.
• Knowledge of higher education policies and accreditation processes.
• Ability to use data to inform decisions and improve outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership for academic disciplines, programs and pathways and guides curriculum changes.
• Leads program reviews and collaborates to implement curriculum and program improvements.
• Manages faculty development, advising plans and staffing decisions.
• Oversees scheduling, enrollment trends and workload verification.
• Partners with external stakeholders to support NOVA programs.
• Manages division budget and resources and ensures compliance with policies.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Data-driven decisions

Communication skills

Policy knowledge

Supervising faculty

Education

Master’s degree in a discipline represented within the Languages, Arts and Social Sciences division

Full-time faculty teaching experience at a postsecondary institution

Administrative experience at a postsecondary institution

Job description

Working Title Academic Dean, Languages, Arts and Social Sciences Role Title 12 month - Administrative - In Role Code 01123-FP FLSA Exempt Pay Band 00 Position Number 280FA500 Agency Northern VA Community College Agency/Division NV280-Provost Woodbridge Work Location Prince William - 153 Hiring Range Hiring range is $130,000 to $153,000. Starting salary is commensurate based on experience, education, and other qualifications appropriately related to the position and will be within the specified hiring range Emergency/Essential Personnel No EEO Category 1-Officials and Administrators Full Time or Part Time Full Time Does this position have telework options? -Telework options are subject to change based on business needs- No Does this position have a bilingual or multilingual skill requirement or preference? Job Open Date 09/02/2026 Job Close Date 09/30/2026

Work Schedule

Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. May require some evening and weekends.

General Description

Sensitive Position No Job Description

Description Of Duties And Tasks

• Provides leadership for assigned academic disciplines, programs and pathways, including the development, implementation, evaluation and continuous improvement of courses and programs that support transfer, workforce and student success goals
• Engages faculty and other stakeholders in using data to evaluate program effectiveness, enrollment, student outcomes and opportunities for program development and improvement.
• Leads program and discipline reviews and works with faculty and Academic Affairs to implement appropriate curriculum and program changes.
• Promotes innovation and academic growth aligned with the college’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Leads and participates in discipline and pathway meetings and works with faculty leaders to assess progress on academic goals, initiatives and student outcomes.
• Provides leadership for the development, implementation and evaluation of faculty advising plans.
• Collaborates with academic affairs, student affairs, other academic deans, provosts and faculty to improve student success outcomes across disciplines and pathways.
• Supports faculty participation in grants, research and other college initiatives.
• Partners with educational institutions, community organizations, employers and other external stakeholders to support and promote NOVA programs.

Faculty and Staff Leadership

• Leads the recruitment, selection, onboarding, supervision, mentoring, development and evaluation of faculty and staff in accordance with NOVA and VCCS policies and practices.
• Supervises and evaluates assigned associate deans, department chairs, faculty and staff, as applicable.
• Provides regular performance feedback and supports professional development that strengthens individual and organizational effectiveness.
• Creates an environment that promotes excellence, collaboration, accountability, innovation and employee engagement.
• Addresses faculty and staff performance or behavioral concerns appropriately and in a timely manner, in consultation with the campus provost and human resources.
• Communicates and consistently applies college and VCCS policies, procedures and expectations.
• Ensures that faculty fulfill instructional and administrative responsibilities, including attendance, workload, advising and other applicable requirements.

Enrollment, Scheduling, and Faculty Workload

• Provides leadership for the development of efficient, responsive and student-centered class schedules using enrollment and other institutional data.
• Collaborates with Academic Affairs, other academic deans, enrollment coordinators/ schedulers, and provosts to support coordinated collegewide scheduling and pathway completion.
• Reviews enrollment trends and identifies opportunities to improve enrollment, program viability, efficiency and collegewide coverage.
• Verifies and approves full-time faculty workloads in accordance with college and VCCS policies.
• Coordinates requests for reassigned time, supplemental assignments and other faculty workload activities, as appropriate.
• Promotes efficient utilization of classrooms, laboratories and other academic spaces and resources.

Student Success and Academic Support

• Provides leadership for initiatives designed to improve student learning, retention, progression and completion.
• Works collaboratively with students, faculty, Academic Affairs and Student Affairs to address academic concerns, appeals, grievances and complaints in accordance with college policies and procedures.
• Ensures appropriate documentation of student interactions and decisions in college systems.
• Supports instructional program marketing, academic support activities, advising and targeted student success initiatives.
• Oversees or supports academic processes associated with course substitutions, prerequisite waivers, Credit for Prior Learning, curriculum updates and other academic matters within assigned areas.
• Collaborates with Dual Enrollment and other college offices to support academic quality and faculty credentialing requirements.

Budget, Resources, and Operations

• Prepares, manages and administers the division budget and makes resource recommendations based on institutional priorities, data and student needs.
• Oversees the effective use of fiscal, personnel, instructional and physical resources within the division.
• Monitors classrooms, laboratories and other facilities associated with assigned programs and identifies resource and facility needs.
• Ensures compliance with applicable college and VCCS policies and procedures and federal and state requirements.
• Represents the college with external agencies, community organizations, educational partners and other constituencies.
• Serves on college committees, councils and workgroups as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Essential Functions

• Provides leadership and management for academic disciplines, programs, pathways and other areas of academic responsibility.
• Provides effective personnel management and leadership for faculty and staff within an academic division.
• Provides responsible budget, resource and facilities management.
• Uses institutional data to inform academic, enrollment, scheduling and resource decisions.
• Collaborates across college units and campuses to advance student learning, retention, progression, completion and overall student success.
• Builds and maintains effective relationships with faculty, staff, students, community partners and other stakeholders.

Special Assignments

May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.

KSA’s/Required Qualifications

• Knowledge of effective supervision, personnel management and employee development principles and practices.
• Knowledge of budget planning and fiscal management practices.
• Knowledge of academic program evaluation, curriculum development and continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of leadership and strategic planning principles.
• Knowledge of higher education policies, procedures and accreditation processes.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion, sound judgment and effective decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and communicate effectively with faculty, staff, students and other stakeholders.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated skill in supervising, mentoring, developing and evaluating employees.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and use data to inform decisions and improve outcomes.
• Demonstrated skill in problem-solving, conflict resolution and mediation.
• Ability to develop, implement, communicate and consistently apply policies and procedures.
• Ability to use technology and college systems effectively in support of academic and administrative operations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree awarded by a regionally accredited institution in a discipline represented within the Languages, Arts and Social Sciences division.
• Full‑time faculty teaching experience at a postsecondary institution.
• Administrative experience at a postsecondary institution.

Additional Considerations

Additional Qualifications

• Terminal degree from a regionally accredited institution in a discipline represented within the Languages, Arts and Social Sciences division.
• Three or more years of full‑time teaching experience at a two-year postsecondary institution.
• Five or more years of administrative experience at a postsecondary institution.
• Experience leading multiple academic disciplines, departments or programs.
• Experience with enrollment management, academic scheduling, curriculum development, program review and/or student success initiatives.
• Experience supervising and developing faculty and staff in a higher education environment.

Operation of a State Vehicle Yes Supervises Employees Yes Required Travel

Regular local travel between college locations and within the region; occasional overnight and out-of-region travel as required.

Background Check Statement Disclaimer

The selected candidate’s offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background investigation, which may include: fingerprint checks, local agency checks, employment verification, verification of education, credit checks (relevant to employment). Additionally, selected candidates may be required to complete the Commonwealth’s Statement of Economic Interest. For more information, please follow this link: http://ethics.dls.virginia.gov/

EEO Statement

The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, political affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or other non-merit factors.

ADA Statement

The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA and ADAAA), to provide, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of access to the application, interviewing, and selection processes when requested.

E-Verify Statement

VCCS uses E-Verify to check employee eligibility to work in the United States. You will be required to complete an I-9 form and provide documentation of your identity for employment purposes.

Quicklink for Posting https://jobs.vccs.edu/postings/100724