Dean of Enterprise and Academic Partnerships

Merced Community College; California; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Pension/retirement plan

Paid leave

Job summary

Merced College seeks a Dean of Enterprise and Academic Partnerships to lead PPPs, contract education, and innovative funding strategies that diversify revenue and support student success.

Reporting to the Vice President of External Relations, the Dean will cultivate partnerships with community and industry, ensure regulatory compliance, and oversee budgets and program development in alignment with the college’s strategic plan.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business administration or related field.
• At least one year of managerial leadership experience.
• Experience in community college or education sector preferred.
• Ability to develop partnerships and secure funding.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategies to build and sustain public-private partnerships (PPPs).
• Lead relationships with community partners, non-profit organizations, and industry leaders.
• Oversee academic enterprise services, including contract education and workforce programs.
• Coordinate fundraising efforts, including grants and foundations.
• Ensure contracts and partnerships comply with laws and district policies.
• Guide budget management and program development aligned with strategic plan.
• Promote DEIA and inclusive practices.

Skills

Leadership

Partnership building

Strategic planning

Communication

Education

Master’s degree in business administration

Job description

As you consider this opportunity, know that Merced College is more than a community college — we are a catalyst for transformation, redefining higher education and setting new standards for excellence. Serving nearly 20,000 students each year, we are proud to be a leading center of learning and opportunity in California’s Central Valley.

Founded in 1962, Merced College blends a strong tradition of academic excellence with forward-thinking innovation to create an inclusive and engaging environment for students and employees alike. Committed to the well-being, growth, and professional success of our team, we foster collaboration and a supportive culture where every employee is empowered to make a difference. Located in the heart of California’s Central Valley, the City of Merced offers a welcoming community of more than 90,000 residents, with easy access to the Bay Area, Sacramento, and Yosemite National Park.

If you are passionate about innovation, equity, and student success, we invite you to join the Merced College team.

Learn more about the Dean of Enterprise and Academic Partnerships here at Merced College.

Merced College Mission

At Merced College, students are our focus, and we are known by their success. We transform lives through education and workforce development.

Merced College Vision

Enriching our community through educational experiences and support services:

• Degree/Certificate Programs
• Transfer
• Career Technical Education
• Workforce Training
• Lifelong Learning
• Basic Skills
• Community Engagement

Merced College promotes student success through equitable access, continuous quality improvement, and institutional effectiveness, all with a focus on student achievement.

Reports To

Vice President of Enterprise and Academic Partnerships

Salary Schedule

Management Range: Dean

Salary placement commensurate with education and experience

Additional compensation for doctorate

General Description:

This is an educational administrator position. Under the direction of the Vice President of External Relations, the Dean of Enterprise and Academic Partnerships will plan, organize, administer, and direct the day-to-day operations related to public-private partnerships (PPPs), academic enterprise services, and innovative funding strategies. The position will build strategic partnerships with community organizations, non-profits, for-profit entities, and industry leaders to advance the district’s mission, support student success, and diversify revenue streams. This role also includes leadership in areas such as contract education, workforce development, and community services. The Dean will work closely with district leadership, ensuring that all initiatives align with the district’s strategic plan and comply with relevant laws and regulations.

Essential Functions:

• Develop and implement strategies to build and sustain public-private partnerships (PPPs) that benefit the district academically, vocationally, and financially
• Build and maintain relationships with community partners, non-profit organizations, for-profit businesses, and industry leaders to enhance student learning and align with district goals
• Lead efforts to explore and adopt innovative practices that foster new systems and enterprises for the district, embracing non-traditional models where applicable
• Assist with fundraising efforts, including identifying and securing grants and foundations that align with the district’s master planning and diversification goals
• Work closely with legal counsel and experts to ensure contracts and partnerships comply with local, state, and federal regulations
• Provide leadership for academic enterprise services, including the Merced College Business Resource Center, contract education, community services, and related programs
• Collaborate with district administration to ensure that special projects, contracts, and PPPs align with district goals and are adequately supported
• Develop comprehensive plans to diversify the district's funding streams through new ventures, innovations, and enterprise systems
• Lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs and services related to contract education, special training and contracted workforce development, and community services, ensuring alignment with district goals and industry standards
• Promote shared governance through active participation in college and district committees
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of emerging trends, innovations, and best practices in community college education, public-private partnerships, and funding diversification
• Prepare reports on programs and activities, ensuring compliance with federal and state mandates and alignment with district strategic objectives
• Manage the area budget, ensuring financial resources are used effectively and in accordance with district policies
• Resolve student, faculty, and staff conflicts and issues within the area
• Evaluate faculty, administrators, and classified staff in accordance with district policies and collective bargaining agreements
• Encourage cultural and ethnic diversity in staffing, curriculum, programs, and services.
• Perform related duties as assigned

Knowledge of:

• Higher education in community colleges, including the mission of the California Community Colleges
• Public-private partnerships and innovative funding models in higher education
• Contract education, workforce development, and community service programs
• Strategic enrollment management
• Curriculum development and course articulation
• Budget preparation and control
• Successful interpersonal skills, organizational leadership, team building, staff development, and communication techniques
• District organization, operations, policies, and objectives
• Community college business management, including budgeting, grants, auditing accounts, and faculty load accounting
• Principles and practices of administration, supervision, and training
• Emerging technologies and trends in teaching, learning, and instructional operations
• Methods and techniques of program development and administration
• Principles and procedures of report preparation

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with faculty, staff, students, and community members
• Establish and maintain productive and constructive relationships with students, administrators, faculty, and staff from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Train, select, direct, supervise, and evaluate personnel
• Collaborate with faculty and industry partners to develop and modify programs and initiatives that meet student and community needs
• Analyze, interpret, apply, and explain laws, regulations, labor contracts, policies, and procedures
• Maintain current knowledge of program rules, regulations, requirements, and restrictions
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action
• Plan, organize, and implement multiple projects and programs, providing regular updates to the Vice President of External Relations
• Compile and present narrative and statistical reports in a concise and comprehensive manner
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals
• Promote and incorporate culturally affirming DEIA and anti-racist principles to nurture and create a respectful, inclusive, and equitable learning and work environment. In conducting their duties, staff members shall respect and acknowledge the diversity of students and colleagues

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education/Training/Experience

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in a discipline related to business administration, entrepreneurship, or related field AND
• One year of formal training, internship, or leadership experience reasonably related to the administrative assignment AND
• Successful community college teaching or related work experience AND
• A minimum of one year of managerial experience demonstrating leadership with increasing responsibility AND
• Sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students.

License or Certificate:

Valid California Driver’s License or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire date.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience

• Doctorate degree in a discipline related to the position.
• Experience in developing public-private partnerships and/or innovative funding models in an educational setting.

Physical Demand and Working Environment:

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individual with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment:

Work is performed primarily in an office environment with constant interruptions and some travel to different sites. Incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends.

Physical Ability to:

• Hear and understand speech at normal levels
• Communicate so others will be able to clearly understand normal conversation
• Read printed materials and computer screens
• Stand or sit for prolonged periods
• Bend, twist, stoop, kneel, crawl, push, and pull
• Reach in all directions
• Work at a desk, conference table, or in meetings of various configurations
• Operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination, including using a computer keyboard

Vision:

See in the normal visual range with or without correction

Hearing:

Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction

Interview Information

Applicants deemed highly qualified for the position will be invited to participate in onsite oral interviews conducted by a screening committee. A limited number of candidates will be selected to move forward to the interview stage.

Interviews are scheduled for Monday, November 30, 2026, with final in-person interviews scheduled for Thursday, December 03, 2026.

Employee Benefits

Employee Benefits: Health benefits for the employee and all their eligible dependents cost employee’s only $12 per month and provide access to PPO medical coverage, PPO dental coverage, VSP Vision coverage, and more! Please visit our Merced College Benefits website for more details about our incredible employee benefits. In addition, sick leave and retirement benefits are also provided.

Condition of Employment

The selected candidate must be fingerprinted and tested for tuberculosis at his/her own expense prior to the start of employment. In compliance with the Immigration Reform Act of 1986, all new employees are required to verify their identity and the right to work in the United States. All offers of employment are subject to approval by the Board of Trustees. The applicant must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Individuals with disabilities may request any needed accommodation to participate in the application process. Please submit your request with your application to the Human Resources Office.

Merced Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer