About the Department:

George Mason University (“George Mason” or the “University”), the largest public research university in the Commonwealth of Virginia, seeks an inspiring, dynamic, and entrepreneurial leader to serve as the Dean of the Antonin Scalia Law School (“Scalia Law” or the “School”). Consistently ranked among the nation’s most innovative universities by U.S. News and World Report, the University is located in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and enjoys unparalleled access to the federal government, international organizations, and major corporations. Scalia Law has built a distinctive academic mission, a strong and impactful scholarly culture, and a faculty recognized for its productivity and influence. The School is on a strong, upward trajectory, thanks to its location, expanding financial resources, and relationships with the federal and state judiciary, including with several Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court.

About the Position:

The Dean serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of Scalia Law, reporting to the Provost and working collaboratively with the President, fellow deans, and university leadership. The Dean is responsible for articulating and advancing Scalia Law’s strategic vision, ensuring continued excellence, relevance, and financial sustainability in a rapidly evolving legal education landscape.

The Dean provides visionary leadership and strategic direction for Scalia Law, fostering a collaborative decision-making environment that actively engages faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external partners— including those beyond the Washington, D.C. region—to strengthen Scalia Law’s impact within the broader legal and civic communities.

Responsibilities:

• Continues to strengthen Scalia Law’s tradition of rigorous inquiry and research, academic freedom, and respect for all points of view;
• Maintains and enhances Scalia Law’s commitments to the first-rate education and professional development of its students;
• Nurtures and strengthens relationships between Scalia Law and its alumni;
• Continues to develop the School’s appeal to diverse constituents and embrace its mission as a public institution in a state known historically for its investments in higher education;
• Maintains and strengthens relationships with the University administration, George Mason’s Board of Visitors, and with the faculties across the University;
• Continues the use of the Rouse Endowment, by creating more academic chairs as called for in the Endowment and by identifying and appointing outstanding scholars to fill those chairs;
• Organizes, staffs, and launches the new foundation authorized by the Board of Visitors for contributions to the University for the exclusive use of Scalia Law;
• Develops new courses, programs, or centers as needed to address important and understudied problems in contemporary law and policy; and 
• Marshals the financial and human capital necessary to advance Scalia Law’s mission.

Required Qualifications:

• J.D., or other terminal degree in law, extensive experience in the teaching and/or practice of law, and accomplishments meriting tenure at the rank of professor under the School’s criteria;
• Intellectual leadership and dedication to facilitating elite scholarship and teaching excellence;
• Commitment to public service and the mission of a public university;
• Ability to manage and lead large and complex organizations with multiple stakeholders;
• Ability to communicate with the leaders, deans, and senior administrators at a major public research university;
• Leadership characterized by appreciation for Scalia Law’s distinct mission, inclusiveness, transparency, integrity, and the ability to build consensus;
• Ability to build and manage organizations that are inclusive, respect diversity, and provide equal opportunity;
• The abilities to protect academic freedom and foster civil discourse in the classroom and in high-profile debates about law and public policy;
• Ability to communicate and collaborate with legal leaders, including Supreme Court Justices, judges, Members of Congress, Cabinet Heads, agency commissioners, and other professional leaders;
• Ability to communicate the School’s mission within the George Mason community and to diverse external constituencies, including alumni, donors, bench, bar, business leaders, and state government;
• Ability to succeed at fundraising and development;
• An appetite for innovation and an aptitude at making entrepreneurial decisions;
• Engagement with Scalia Law’s faculty, students, administrators, alumni, and supporters;
• Abilities to manage the budget of a complex organization and to make decisive choices how best to maximize the organization’s return on expenditures; and
• Strong listening skills, intellectual curiosity, willingness to learn from others; and the abilities to multi-task and to delegate.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Significant experience working in a public, four-year institution.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Dean, Antonin Scalia Law School at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include a CV and a letter of interest. The letter of interest should reflect how a candidate's qualifications and experience match those described in this leadership profile.

George Mason University has retained WittKieffer to support this recruitment. Werner Boel and Ashlee Musser, WittKieffer Associates are leading the search. Inquiries, applications, and nominations should be sent to ScaliaLawDean@wittkieffer.com. The search process will unfold with the greatest possible attention to candidate confidentiality.

Posting Open Date: January 28, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  February 16, 2026

Open Until Filled:  Yes