Visionary Dean, Liberal Arts & Humanities

The University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 200,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin’s College of Liberal Arts seeks a Dean to lead a large, multifaceted college with 21 departments and 12,000+ undergraduates. The Dean will shape strategy, academic excellence, and fiscal stewardship, while advancing fundraising and external relations to elevate COLA’s national impact.

We seek a visionary leader with a terminal degree and an outstanding record of achievement, who can foster collaboration, champion student success, and guide innovative curricula

Qualifications

• Academic qualifications with terminal degree and outstanding record for full professorship at an AAU institution.
• Strong understanding of research-intensive academic culture, tenure, promotion, and governance.
• Proven leadership and management experience in a large, complex organization.
• Strategic thinking with ability to translate ideas into actionable plans.
• Experience in fundraising, donor relations, and securing major gifts.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Commitment to intellectual freedom, pluralism, and integrity.
• Ability to foster interdisciplinary collaboration across departments and schools.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for COLA as chief academic and administrative officer.
• Guide undergraduate and graduate programs and academic enterprise across 21 departments.
• Oversee budget, personnel, and administration; ensure rigorous standards and stewardship.
• Lead external relations, philanthropy, and partnerships to advance resources and impact.
• Champion student success, curricular innovation, and career readiness for 12,000+ undergrads.
• Drive Core Curriculum integration and national dialogue on liberal arts education.
• Foster a collaborative culture across COLA and the broader university.

Skills

Academic leadership

Strategic thinking

Fundraising

Philanthropy relationships

Financial acumen

Negotiation

Communication skills

Public speaking

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Academic governance

Vision and strategic planning

Staff and faculty development

Policy and compliance

External relations

AI and technology literacy

Education

Terminal degree and tenure at AAU institution

Job description

The University of Texas at Austin’s College of Liberal Arts seeks a Dean to lead a large, multifaceted college with 21 departments and 12,000+ undergraduates. The Dean will shape strategy, academic excellence, and fiscal stewardship, while advancing fundraising and external relations to elevate COLA’s national impact.

We seek a visionary leader with a terminal degree and an outstanding record of achievement, who can foster collaboration, champion student success, and guide innovative curricula