Dean, School of Divinity

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Shelby (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Gardner‑Webb University seeks a dynamic Dean for the M. Christopher White School of Divinity, reporting to the Provost. The Dean will lead academic quality, student success, faculty development, and operational excellence within the school at a private Christian university.

The role requires doctoral credentials, extensive teaching and administrative experience, and a commitment to the university's mission. Collaboration with Enrollment Management and governance oversight are essential.

Qualifications

• Earned a doctorate or terminal degree in the discipline from an accredited university.
• Successful, full-time higher education teaching experience with excellence in pedagogy.
• Administrative experience at chair/leadership level in higher education.

Responsibilities

• Supervise faculty and program matters; oversee scheduling and workload.
• Represent the school to the Provost, Pres ident, and external partners.
• Lead accreditation, assessment, and program review activities.
• Oversee budgets and resource allocation for departments and programs.
• Drive enrollment strategies in collaboration with Enrollment Management.
• Support faculty development and promotion/tenure processes.
• Lead new program development and maintain strong governance.

Skills

Strong written and oral communication

Emotional intelligence

Analytical and quantitative abilities

Collaboration with senior admin

Education

Doctorate or terminal degree

Job description

Gardner-Webb University seeks a dynamic and dedicated Dean for theM. Christopher White School of Divinity, who reports to the Provostand serves as a key member of the Provost’s leadership team. TheDean provides leadership in advancing academic quality, studentsuccess, faculty development, and operational excellence within theschool.

The Dean must understand and demonstrate a commitment to theUniversity's mission and vision and be prepared to work effectivelywith the faculty of a teaching-focused, private Christianuniversity. The Dean reports to the Provost and plays a significantrole in determining and implementing the University's strategicpriorities, providing leadership to academic programs, fosteringfaculty and staff development, and supporting engaged studentlearning.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• If applicable, supervision of department chairs and directorsof academic support programs.
• Supervise faculty, curricular, and school matters.
• Serve as liaison between the school and the Provost.
• Serve as the school's chief representative.
• Preside over school faculty meetings and ensure sharedgovernance.
• Ensure school records, particularly meeting minutes, proposals,and actions, are maintained.
• Encourage academic and teaching excellence.
• Collaborate with the Office of Enrollment Management onstrategies to grow enrollment in majors and programs.
• Provide leadership in new program development and programreview.
• Oversight of teaching schedules, faculty loads, release time,and other related academic matters.
• Interviewing and hiring prospective faculty members based onrecommendations from search committees and approval by thePresident and the Provost.
• Annual evaluation of faculty and staff performance.
• Evaluation of faculty as part of promotion and tenurereviews.
• Review and responsibility for budgets of academic departmentsand support programs.
• Review of requests for professional development funding.
• Coordinate accreditation, University, school, and programassessment activities, including Assessment Days and Five-YearReviews (if applicable).
• Performance of other duties as assigned by the President or theProvost.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Earned a doctorate or terminal degree appropriate to thediscipline from an accredited university.
• Successful, full-time, previous higher education teachingexperience and demonstrated commitment to excellence inpedagogy.
• Successful higher education administrative experience in a rolesuch as Chairperson, Director, Associate Dean, or Dean.
• A professing Christian committed to advancing the mission ofChristian higher education.
• Strong written and oral communication skills and the ability tocollaborate effectively with senior administrators, colleagues,students, and community partners.
• Highly developed emotional intelligence and polished executivepresence.
• Strong analytical and quantitative abilities and attention todetail.
• Credentials and professional activity that qualify thecandidate for the rank of Professor.
• A significant record of successful leadership experience as asenior university administrator; experience with academic budgetsand management of personnel is desirable, as is experience withfederal, state, or private grants.
• Ability to work in a transparent and cooperative manner insupport of the mission of Gardner-Webb University.

Application Materials

Preferred start date is January 2027.

• A cover letter detailing qualifications and alignment with ourmission and core values.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Contact information for three professional references.