Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs

George Mason University; Chantilly (VA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

George Mason University is seeking an Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs to provide leadership and strategic direction for faculty matters within the College of Science.

The role covers recruitment, appointment, promotion and tenure, mentoring, evaluation, and faculty success initiatives, with a focus on transparency, fairness, and compliance. Collaboration across COS and university offices is essential to advance the college’s mission.

Qualifications

• Terminal degree in a related field.
• Demonstrated record of scholarly/research achievement, teaching, and service commensurate with appointment at the rank of Associate Professor with tenure.
• Experience in mentoring faculty and supervising faculty development programs.
• Comprehensive knowledge of faculty lifecycle processes such as renewal, reappointment, promotion, and tenure.
• Knowledge of shared governance principles, faculty governance structures, and bylaws.

Responsibilities

• Connects faculty with local, national, and international enterprises to foster research and educational initiatives.
• Develops and manages faculty mentor programs. Pairs junior faculty with senior peers and outside mentors.
• Organizes professional development activities, including workshops, seminars, and retreats focused on pedagogy, grant writing, publishing, and leadership skills.

Skills

Mentoring faculty

Faculty development

Data-driven decisions

Strategic planning

Communication skills

Education

Terminal degree in a related field

Associate Professor with tenure

Administrative leadership experience

Job description

Department: College of Science

Classification: Administrative Faculty

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visasponsorship

Salary: Salary commensurate with education andexperience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

George Mason University College of Science (Mason Science) iscommitted to advancing inclusive excellence and fostering anenvironment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliationthroughout our STEM community. At Mason Science, our values includecultivating an organizational culture that promotes belonging,respect, and civility. We believe that varied opinions, cultures,and perspectives are what provides vibrancy, innovation, and growthto an academic community. By prioritizing cultural responsivenessin academics, teaching, research, and global engagement, we striveto attract faculty and staff who exemplify the Mason Sciencemission and vision.

About the Position:

The Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs provides leadership,oversight, and strategic direction for matters related to facultywithin the College of Science, including recruitment, appointment,promotion and tenure, professional development, mentoring,evaluation, and faculty success initiatives.

Responsibilities:

Faculty Development and Mentoring:

• Connects faculty with local, national, and internationalenterprises to foster research and educational initiatives;
• Develops and manages faculty mentor programs. Pairs juniorfaculty with senior peers and outside mentors. Organizesprofessional development activities, including workshops, seminars,and retreats focused on pedagogy, grant writing, publishing, andleadership skills; and
• Promotes faculty success and recognition by identifyingopportunities for awards, prizes, and recognitions (both internaland external). Monitors and supports scholarly productivity,including publications and grants, and leverages data to helpfaculty identify areas for improvement and growth.

Promotion, Tenure, and Merit Review Processes:

• Oversees and coordinates promotion and tenure (P&T)processes, as well as annual, merit review cycles, ensuringtransparency, fairness, and consistency in reviewing criteria andprocedures;
• Supports department chairs and faculty in preparing P&Tdossiers. Addresses cases involving performance concerns andprobationary issues; and
• Conducts annual training on P&T dossier preparation fordepartment heads, administrative support, unit P&T committees,and faculty interested in promotion.

Policy, Governance, and Compliance:

• Interprets and implements personnel policies to ensurealignment with institutional standards;
• Ensures faculty compliance with university, accreditation, andlegal requirements;
• Establishes systems and timelines for reviews, promotions, andcredentialing processes;
• Manages budgets related to faculty affairs, holding signaturebudget authority to approve and commit funds;
• Provides guidance and assistance on faculty relations matters,including grievances, disagreements, and development opportunities;and
• Coordinates with George Mason University offices and keycollaborators on faculty relations.

Collaboration with Other Units:

• Partners with central Faculty Affairs, the Provost’s Office,Human Resources, and Teaching & Learning Centers to alignfaculty initiatives with institutional priorities;
• Liaises with research support offices to facilitate facultyengagement in research activities;
• Maintains effective communication channels to keep facultyinformed about deadlines, criteria, and best practices;
• Collaborates as an active member of the College of Science(COS) dean’s leadership team, contributing to the development andimplementation of college and university strategic plans;
• Leads efforts related to faculty affairs and occasionallysupports strategic initiatives outside of this focus area.Maintains an understanding of education, outreach, and researchprograms as they apply to faculty;
• Makes timely decisions within established policies andprocedures to implement COS philosophy, policy plans, and resourceallocation; and
• Shares responsibility with the leadership team for deliveringthe College’s mission.

Recruitment, Hiring, Onboarding, and Retention:

• Leads or supports faculty searches by attracting broad anddiverse applicant pools and overseeing the search process to ensurecompliance;
• Facilitates onboarding for new faculty through orientation,early support, and clear communication of expectations; and
• Implements retention strategies, including recognition ofachievements and defining career pathways for faculty growth anddevelopment.

Required Qualifications:

• Terminal degree in a related field;
• Demonstrated record of scholarly/research achievement,teaching, and service commensurate with appointment at the rank ofAssociate Professor with tenure;
• Responsible academic administrative experience (e.g.,department chair, program manager/director, center director,associate dean, or equivalent), typically obtained in two or moreyears;
• Experience in mentoring faculty and supervising facultydevelopment programs;
• Comprehensive knowledge of faculty lifecycle processes such asrenewal, reappointment, promotion, and tenure;
• Knowledge of shared governance principles, faculty governancestructures, and bylaws;
• Understanding of budgetary principles and resource allocationrelated to faculty affairs;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and uphold high ethicalstandards;
• Ability to mentor and guide faculty, department chairs, andacademic leaders in navigating faculty career progression;
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communicationskills to work collaboratively and effectively with faculty, staff,and administrators;
• Ability to foster an environment conducive to all faculty;
• Ability to use metrics or analytics and skill in data-drivendecision-making;
• Vision for faculty success, including understanding of latestpedagogical practices, research support, strategic planning, andthe ability to lead change; and
• Demonstrated commitment to faculty success initiativesincluding those designed to improve outcomes for faculty.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Record of scholarly achievement, teaching, and service,commensurate with appointment at the rank of Full Professor withtenure;
• Considerable responsible administrative experience (e.g.,department chair, program manager/director, center director,associate dean, or equivalent), typically obtained in three or moreyears;
• Experience developing creative and effective methods inbuilding strong faculty programs and ensuring broader impacts offaculty development;
• Outstanding record of accomplishment in higher education orother professional endeavors involving leadership experience infaculty success initiatives including those designed to improveoutcomes for faculty;
• Experience leading academic and/or administrative initiatives;and
• Experience managing a budget for faculty initiatives.

Posting Open Date: August 21, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: September 30, 2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

Mason Ad Statement

George Mason University is a nationally ranked R1 researchuniversity committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperousworld. With 40,000 enrolled students, George Mason is the largestand most diverse public research university in Virginia, offeringdegree programs at the master's, doctoral, and professional level,along with certificates and credentials.

George Mason fosters an All Together Different environment forstudents, faculty, and staff, driven by our core beliefs. Webelieve in inclusivity over exclusivity; we believe in advancingour mission by being willing to take risks, not avoiding them; andwe believe our best work is possible when we apply our diversity oforigin, identity, circumstance, and thought.

Equity Statement

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative actionemployer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in itscommunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration foret employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexualorientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability orveteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

Campus Safety Information

Mason’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available athttp://police.gmu.edu/annual-security-report/