The College of Liberal Arts (CLA) consists of 17 academic departments and programs, and approximately 350 faculty, 70 staff, and 3,700 students in 19 undergraduate majors and 4 graduate programs. The CLA includes disciplines that represent four broad areas of knowledge: the fine and performing arts, communications, the humanities, and the social sciences. In addition to offering courses for its own majors, CLA offers a significant proportion of courses in general education, as well courses that support minors and serve as electives for all majors throughout the university. Further, the CLA plays a significant role in providing activities that enhance the cultural and intellectual environment of the campus, including exhibits and performances offered by our academic departments (e.g., Art, Music, Theatre & Dance) and Cal Poly Arts, cultural programs and lecture series offered by all of our departments, and co-curricular programs such as KCPR Radio, Mock Trial, and Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl.

Reporting to the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, the Associate Dean for Operations is a key member of the Dean's leadership/management team, working with the Dean, the two other associate deans, and department chairs to develop and implement the vision and goals of the college. The Associate Dean for Operations also interfaces with senior management in the divisions of Academic Affairs, Administration and Finance, Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, and other offices as appropriate. The new Associate Dean for Operations will play a key role in supporting the college leadership in reimagining and stream-lining college-wide operations and administrative processes, as well as leading new strategic initiatives. The Associate Dean for Operations acts independently within functional and organizational policy guidelines. The Associate Dean for Operations is responsible for the achievement of college goals and objectives, serves as the prime internal contact for and briefs executive management on critical issues within domains of responsibility.

Under the direction of the Dean, the Associate Dean for Operations assumes general responsibilities that include providing vision, leadership and coordination of operations, administrative services, academic personnel and programs; serving as the college’s HR Business Partner; managing the curriculum process at the college level, including course and program approval; and coordinating and managing college facilities and ITS needs. The Associate Dean also works collaboratively with CLA chairs to improve operations and administrative services; to plan year-round course scheduling; and to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with faculty, staff and students to support the college’s mission and goals. Additional responsibilities include conducting faculty and staff evaluations, as appropriate; representing the college on university committees as assigned by the Dean; representing the Dean at functions when Dean is absent, as requested; and carrying out all additional responsibilities as assigned by the Dean.

Salary Range: $145,000 - $165,000

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following examples illustrate typical work activities and are not meant to be all inclusive or restrictive:

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS - Daily 90%

Operations/Administrative Services

Serve as:

• College’s HR Business Partner
• College’s liaison with ITS

Oversee/manage:

• Department O&E
• College Fees - CBF, CPP, SSF
• Travel request approvals
• Staff recruitment/appointments/evaluations
• Facilities
• Environmental Health & Safety
• College office and research space

Enrollment and Course Scheduling

Oversee/manage:

• Enrollment allocation, procedures, and monitoring
• Class scheduling
• Summer term & special sessions planning Academic Personnel

Oversee/manage:

• Lecturer recruitment/appointments/contracts/evaluations/range elevations
• Tenure-line faculty recruitments
• MPP-Academic employment/appointments
• Onboarding new chairs

Academic Programs

Oversee/manage:

• College-level curriculum processes
• College course and program approvals

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS - As Needed 10%

• Perform other job-related duties and special projects as assigned.
• Attend training and maintain skill currency as appropriate to safely and effectively complete assignments.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Ph.D. or terminal degree from an accredited college or university in a discipline in the College of Liberal Arts
• Academic record that satisfies eligibility for appointment to the rank of tenured associate or full professor in one of the academic departments in the College of Liberal Arts.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS (SKAs):

• Commitment to and experience in promoting inclusive excellence.
• Knowledge of HR and budgetary processes.
• Experience with RPT, faculty and staff recruitment and evaluation.
• Successful performance of leadership in an academic institution.
• Successful university teaching experience.
• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
• Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in and outside the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent communication skills; ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner, both verbally and in writing.
• Thorough knowledge of English grammar, spelling and punctuation.
• Ability to interpret, communicate and apply policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
• Excellent computer skills and proficiency with a variety of computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, online systems, online calendaring and email.
• Working knowledge of or ability to quickly learn University infrastructure, policies and
  procedures.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated skills in an institutional/educational environment utilizing a customer oriented and service-centered attitude.
• Demonstrated experience with course scheduling, curriculum, or oversight of university facilities.
• Demonstrated experience in academic leadership at the department or college level, such as department chair.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

• This position is classified as an Administrator III, 12-month appointment. 
• This position consists of 100% administrative duties without any teaching duties.
• Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.
• Must be able to work overtime, occasional holidays, and adjust working hours to meet special jobs. May be called back periodically to perform work as needed on an emergency basis.
• The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
• Full-time MPP employees are required to disclose outside employment at time of hire or within 30 days of taking additional outside employment subsequent to time of hire.
• This position classification has been defined as "Exempt" and is not subject to the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

How to apply 

To apply, please visit: http://jobs.calpoly.edu/, complete a required online faculty application and apply to Requisition #552479. Please upload the following required materials as part of the electronic application: 

1. a cover letter addressing the required and preferred qualifications
2. current resume/curriculum vitae 

Projected Start Date: January 1, 2026 

Please contact Lynne Ricard if you have any questions about this position at lricard@calpoly.edu