Assistant Dean for Student Services, College of Biological Sciences

University of Minnesota; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 125,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Professional development

Tuition assistance

Health plans

Retirement plans

PSLF opportunity

Wellbeing program

Transit subsidy

Job summary

University of Minnesota, College of Biological Sciences (CBS), invites applications for an Assistant Dean for Student Services. The role leads CBS undergraduate education, advising, recruitment, and student engagement, reporting to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education and serving on the Dean’s Leadership Council.

The ideal candidate will have a Master’s degree with 8+ years in higher education leadership, a proven track record in team building and data-driven improvement, and a

Qualifications

• Master’s degree and at least 8 years of professional experience in higher education or related field.
• Experience in strategic leadership and operational management within higher education.
• Strong collaboration and governance capabilities.
• Proven ability to recruit, retain, and develop staff and leaders.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for CBS Student Services.
• Oversee recruitment, retention, advising, student engagement, and career planning with measurable outcomes.
• Direct budgeting and personnel management for the CBS student-support team.
• Represent CBS to external partners and University stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the Dean’s Leadership Council and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education.

Skills

Leadership experience

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Team building

Data-driven decisions

Education

Master’s degree

8+ years in higher education leadership

Job description

About the Job

Position Title: Assistant Dean for Student Services, College ofBiological Sciences

Job Code: 9313

The priority application deadline for this position is September 30, 2026.

Position Overview

The Assistant Dean for Student Services in the College ofBiological Sciences is a strategic and operational leaderresponsible for shaping a comprehensive, inclusive, and premiereundergraduate experience. Reporting directly to the Associate Deanfor Undergraduate Education and serving on the Dean’s LeadershipCouncil, this position requires a collaborative, visionary, andstudent-centered administrator. The Assistant Dean providesleadership for CBS Student Services, overseeing recruitment,retention, academic advising, student engagement, career planning,and other support services. This role serves as a key publicrepresentative for the college, advocating for undergraduateinterests across campus and connecting with parents, peerinstitutions, and administrative partners.

The ideal leader will demonstrate strong organizational oversight,adeptness in operationalizing strategic goals into measurableoutcomes, and an ability to foster an engaging, collaborativeworkplace while building strong relationships within the College,across the University, and with peer institutions.

Position Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Operational Management (60%)

• Partner with the Associate Dean to develop and execute a sharedstrategy for CBS undergraduate education.
• Serve as a key member of the Dean’s Leadership Council,contributing to strategic decision-making and institutionalgovernance.
• Provide strategic oversight for the CBS undergraduateexperience, to include academic advising, career coaching, andengagement.
• Direct operations focused on student recruitment, retention,and graduation, utilizing metrics to measure and improve thestudent experience.
• Manage unit budgets and personnel, cultivating a workenvironment that attracts and develops high-performingprofessionals.
• Represent CBS to external partners, peer institutions, and University stakeholders.
• Engage with parents and student groups as a recognizable leaderfor CBS undergraduate programs.
• Serve as the direct supervisor for 6 full time employees.Responsible for building a highly productive and engaged team ofprofessionals and supervisors. Foster a culture of leadership andprofessional development.

Collegiate Recruitment, Enrollment, and Retention Oversight(20%)

• Develop and implement annual strategic plans for recruitmentand scholarships in collaboration with key stakeholders, ensuringcollegiate enrollment goals are met.
• Collaborate with collegiate and University leadership to setsustainable enrollment targets.
• Analyze retention trends, leveraging data to refine and informstudent success initiatives.

Student Success and Engagement (20%)

• Foster a dynamic environment for student organizations,leadership development, and mentorship.
• Promote a culture of access, inclusion, and equity across allprogrammatic content and student support services.
• Establish policies and procedures sensitive to student concernsand institutional fairness.
• Work with the Office of Student Affairs to manage andcoordinate responses to student crisis situations.

The employer reserves the right to change or assign duties tothis position

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree plus at least 8 years of professionalexperience in higher education and/or relevant industryexperience.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5 or more years of leadership experience in an educationalsetting, including oversight and accountability for administrativeand operational activities.
• Demonstrated ability to build and manage engaged teams toachieve outcomes in higher education (e.g., setting and measuringgoals, employee accountability, fostering professional development,organizational culture and effectiveness).
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills, particularly theability to work effectively and collaboratively with multiplegroups and diverse constituencies.
• Demonstrated ability to listen effectively and strategically,translating and prioritizing strategic goals and initiatives intoaction.
• Ability to inspire a shared vision and relate to employees,influencing and aligning efforts of others to advance currentandfuture priorities.
• Knowledge of and appreciation for biological scienceseducation.

About the Department

College and Unit Overview

At the College of Biological Sciences (CBS), we help ourundergraduates turn curiosity into impact. With eight majors,thirteen minors, and a world of complex biological puzzles tosolve, our students learn biology by doing biology in classroomsand labs across the University's East Bank and St. Paul campuses.CBS Student Services is there every step of that journey. Our teamof 20 advisors, career coaches, and engagement specialists arededicated to guiding undergrads from their first week on campus tograduation day and beyond.

Pay and Benefits

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for moreinformation regarding benefit eligibility.

Pay Range: $125,000-$140,000 depending oneducation/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional trainingand degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition BenefitProgram
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counselingat no cost
• Employee TransitPass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metroarea

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important tonote that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach themaximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensationreflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate whilemaintaining equity within our organization. As part of ourcommitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware thatthe salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on theirindividual credentials and experience.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversityand inclusion in enriching the employment experience of itsemployees and in supporting the academic mission. The University iscommitted to attracting and retaining employees with varyingidentities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to andopportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment withoutregard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender,age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteranstatus, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successfulcompletion of a background check. Our presumption is thatprospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminalconvictions do not automatically disqualify finalists fromemployment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among thelargest public research universities in the country, offeringundergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitudeofopportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of oneof the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities,students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit fromextensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers,international corporations, government agencies, and arts,nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized byForbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employerfor Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State(2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence &Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-lifeflexibility.