Dean, College of Construction & Industrial Technologies

GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision, life and long

Disability insurance

401K savings plan

Education Tuition Discount Program

Free on-site gym

Free covered parking

Job summary

Grand Canyon University seeks an inaugural Dean for the College of Construction & Industrial Technologies (CCIT) to provide vision, strategic direction, and operational excellence.

This role will lead program development, accreditation efforts, faculty recruitment, and partnerships with industry at a national level.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree required.
• Significant experience in engineering, construction, or manufacturing.
• Leadership roles at operational and strategic levels.

Responsibilities

• Provide vision and strategic direction for CCIT including program development and growth.
• Oversee accreditation efforts and curriculum development.
• Recruit and develop faculty, ensure student success and retention.
• Partner with industry and university offices to drive external relations and resources.
• Align curriculum and operations with university mission and values.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operational leadership

Faculty development

Industry partnerships

Education

Graduate degree

Job description

Grand Canyon University! One of Arizona’s leading institutions of higher learning. Located in the Valley of the Sun in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona. GCU is an institutionally accredited, private, nondenominational Christian University. Grand Canyon University (GCU) is seeking a dynamic Christian leader to become the inaugural Dean of the Grand Canyon University College of Construction & Industrial Technologies (CCIT).

This servant leader is responsible for providing vision, strategic direction, and operational excellence across all aspects of the college, including but not limited to achieving any required accreditations, academic planning, faculty recruitment, performance assessment, unique program delivery methods, and program review, as well as strong industry partnerships at a national level.

You will be joining a highly experienced and seasoned team of academic leaders as you collaborate and partner to add a 12th college at GCU and continue the growth of the largest Private, Christian university in the country.

GCU's Mission GCU is a missional, Christ-centered university with an innovative and adaptive spirit that addresses the world’s deep needs by cultivating compassionate Christian community, empowering free and virtuous action and serving others in ways that promote human flourishing. Through academic excellence, the university equips students with knowledge of the Christian worldview, instilling in them a sense of purpose and vocational calling that enables them to be innovative thinkers, effective communicators, global contributors and transformative leaders who change their communities by placing the interests of others before their own.

This leader must possess a strong combination of real-world industry construction, and/or manufacturing experience, a passion for teaching and mentoring, and an operational mindset to effectively scale programs and maximize the impact of graduates grounded in a Christian worldview. Within the construction & industry (including advanced manufacturing) domain, this role integrates; applied engineering, construction & industrial technologies, Christian faith, free market principles, and academic excellence.

Location: 3300 W. Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85017

What you will do:

Christ-Centered Leadership & Community

Promote and model a Christ-centered worldview in all aspects of leadership, decision-making, and academic and faculty engagement. Foster a strong sense of community, professionalism, and shared purpose among faculty, staff, and students. Support the development of Christian character, ethical leadership, and professional responsibility within wide variety of career fields. Encourage integration of faith and learning across curriculum, instruction, and student engagement.

Strategic Leadership, Innovation & Growth

Provide vision and strategic direction for the CCIT, including program development, expansion, and long-term growth. Identify opportunities to scale programs effectively while maintaining academic rigor and operational excellence leading to industry support and hiring. Drive innovation of delivery methods and national expansion by creating a talent pipeline.

Academic Excellence & Accreditation

Ensure the integrity, rigor, and consistency of industry-driven curriculum. Provide executive oversight of curriculum design, instruction, and assessment to include experiential, hands‑on learning lab experiences. Ensure systems are in place to support student retention, progression, and graduation. Promote a culture of continuous improvement, using assessment data to strengthen learning outcomes and student success. Foster an environment where students feel supported, challenged, and prepared for industry career pathways and opportunities.

Leadership & Organizational Effectiveness

Establish clear ownership, accountability, and performance expectations. Ensure alignment between curriculum, faculty delivery, operations, and student outcomes. Build systems that promote efficiency, transparency, and scalability in a matrixed university environment. Collaborate with university partners (e.g., Faculty Services, Faculty Development, Curriculum Design, Admissions, Marketing) to leverage best practices and drive results. Provide oversight of college operations, budgeting, and resource allocation in alignment with university expectations. Ensure responsible stewardship of resources to support program growth and sustainability. Integrate into a matrix organization of centralized shared-services model, sharing all resources and collaborating on operations and execution with service providers.

Faculty Leadership & Development

Lead and support faculty in achieving excellence in teaching, service, and scholarship. Promote instructional excellence and innovation in construction & industrial technologies education. Support faculty in integrating faith, ethics, and professional preparation into the classroom. Foster a culture of mentorship, accountability, and continuous professional growth.

External Relations & Institutional Alignment

Serve as the primary representative of CCIT and GCU with a wide range of industry partners in the construction and manufacturing trades areas. Will closely partner with CET Dean and leaders for any engineering and technology areas as well as with CCOB Dean for management areas. Lead and engage CCIT Advisory Board(s), collaborating with business leaders. Partner with Marketing, Enrollment, and Admissions to recruit and enroll high-quality students in collaboration with service providers in a centralized, shared-service model. Support Advancement office efforts to fundraise for scholarships, program and CCIT initiatives. Build strategic partnerships to enhance pipeline development, experiential opportunities, and community impact. Additional responsibilities as assigned by the Provost or President.

What you need:

• Graduate degree
• Significant experience in engineering, construction, or manufacturing
• Industry/Government/Military leadership roles
• Ability and experience leading at operational and strategic levels
• Passion to share/integrate Christian faith as a leader and educator
• Must pass pre-employment background investigations
• Provide a positive example to students by supporting the University’s Doctrinal Statement, Ethical Position Statement and Mission of Grand Canyon University.

Bonus:

• Industry executive level/responsibility experience
• Experience in education or training
• Experience with online and hybrid program delivery
• Significant industry relationships
• Doctorate in any discipline

Why work at GCU:

• Exceptional workplace benefits include medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, a 401K savings plan
• Generous time off plan and 11 paid holidays
• Paid time off to volunteer in the community or at GCU sponsored events
• Free covered parking
• We also offer full-time employees, their spouses, and dependent children an Education Tuition Discount Program
• Free on-site gyms on campus
• #INDLOPESUP

GCU's Christian worldview has shaped the university's mission and growth for more than 65 years. As a Christ-centered higher education institution, GCU integrates faith, learning and work to connect the GCU community with distinct Christian principles and strong central values.

The University values diversity among its students, faculty and staff, and invites applications from all qualified individuals, including minorities, females, individuals with disabilities and veterans.

At GCU, working professionals may find their purpose in ways marked by compassion, service, integrity and concern for the common good.

Employment is contingent upon the satisfactory outcome (as determined by the university) of pre-employment screening activities, including a background check.