Job Summary

The Associate Dean, Operations is a key participant on the administrative leadership team of the college and reports directly to the Dean. The primary focus of this position is on the internal operations and resources of the college, focusing on academic operations, fiscal resources, and facilities. This position may also represent the Dean when necessary at significant university meetings and events.   Additionally, this position is expected to collaborate with Associate and Assistant Deans, Department Heads, Center Directors, faculty and staff on cross-college projects and initiatives and will work closely with the Dean’s office staff.   

Department Summary

The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) at Cal Poly is one of the nation’s premier colleges of agriculture and natural resources – and the fifth-largest of its kind in the U.S. With more than 4,200 undergraduates, 16 majors, five graduate programs, and 192 dedicated faculty and staff, CAFES is a powerhouse of innovation, impact and hands-on learning. Our signature Learn by Doing philosophy comes alive across 10,000 acres of cropland, pastures, orchards, vineyards, and forests, as well as in specialized teaching and research facilities. From the Animal Health Center and Equine Center to the Center for Wine and Viticulture, Ag Tech Center and Plant Sciences Complex, and Marine Transportation facilities at the Solano campus, students and faculty work side by side – tackling real-world challenges and shaping the future of food, agriculture and the environment. Discover more at cafes.calpoly.edu.

Key Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to analyze and manage complex budget systems.
• Exceptional communication skills, including written and verbal skills, and the ability to work effectively with others on and off campus.
• Exceptional creativity and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent leadership and management skills.
• Ability to work with interdisciplinary college and university leadership and outside industry leaders and partners.
• A leadership style characterized by integrity, openness, flexibility, inclusiveness, transparency, and kindness.
• Demonstrated sound judgment, discretion, and a willingness to take initiative.
• Exhibit high standards of ethical conduct, confidentiality, and professionalism in dealing with sensitive matters.
• Demonstrated use of 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 work well under pressure and maintain composure.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, collaborative, 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 and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Thorough knowledge of effective personnel management practices and supervisory skills including a demonstrated ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
• Working knowledge of effective management principles including proven supervisory skills with the ability to plan, implement, manage, and evaluate multiple projects to meet deadlines with a finished, efficient, and effective product.
• 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, and online calendaring, email, and cloud-based shared drives.
• Working knowledge of or ability to quickly learn University infrastructure, policies, and procedures.

Education and Experience

• PhD or terminal degree
• Credentials appropriate for a tenured appointment at the rank of full professor
• At least three years of relevant higher education administrative experience (as examples): chairing a significant faculty committee, serving as department chair/head or program director/coordinator, directing a center or a sufficiently complex research program.
• Distinguished record of achievement
• Demonstrated effectiveness in teaching, research and service
• A commitment to collegial and collaborative interactions spanning the college and university

Salary and Benefits

The anticipated hiring range for this role is $185,000 - $200,000 annually. Note that the offer is calculated based on the background and relevant years of experience of the individual selected.

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Anticipated Hiring Range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Classification Range may be broader than what the University anticipates paying for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information. 

Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Cal Poly will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

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.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions. Applicants for staff and management positions must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

This position may be "Designated" under California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. This would require the filing of a Statement of Economic Interest on an annual basis and the completion of training within 6 months of assuming office and every 2 years thereafter.