Dean of Faculty

Erikson Institute, a leading graduate school in the fields of child development, early childhood education, teacher education, and social work, invites applications for Dean of Faculty. The position is 60% administrative and 40% academic (faculty). The allocation between administrative and faculty responsibilities and roles is so that the Dean of Faculty can remain engaged in key aspects of faculty life: program leadership and teaching (one course per year). It also means that the position is tenure eligible. We are especially interested in scholars who are knowledgeable of, have experience in, and committed to the pursuit of equity and justice.

Administratively, the Dean of Faculty is responsible for planning, coordinating, supervising, and evaluating personnel and programs that fall under Academic Affairs. The Dean of Faculty is responsible for supporting faculty development and assigning faculty workloads, and shares responsibility with appropriate faculty committees for annual faculty evaluation and tenure and promotion recommendations. Importantly, the Dean of Faculty will support faculty development in all phases of their time at Erikson. Under the direction of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean of Faculty works with academic programs, professional development, research, centers, policy and leadership, and Institute's leadership. As part of the Executive Team, the Dean of Faculty works collaboratively on a variety of cross-cutting initiatives.

Academically, the Dean of Faculty will lead the development and implementation of an online Master’s degree program focused on the development of education leaders committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and belonging. The academic (faculty) portion of this position entails taking a leadership role in program administration and development; contributing expertise to the Institute’s mission; and teaching one course per academic year.

Job Summary

As member of the Executive Team, the Dean of Faculty will participate in Institute-wide governance and support the Faculty’s stewardship of the Institute’s academic mission and provision of Erikson’s signature education experience. In particular, the Dean of Faculty will attend to expectations and supports for faculty in terms of research, teaching, and service in addition to overseeing program revisions and development, accreditation (with the support of the Office of Institutional Records and Research and the VPAA), mentoring/femtoring, and supporting other programmatic and faculty matters.

The successful candidate will be an innovative, collaborative, and strategic senior-level leader (advanced Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor) with a demonstrated track record of academic accomplishment, administrative leadership, and operational experience in oversight of higher education programs. They will have the ability to traverse the fields of social work, child development, and education—centering robust commitments to the pursuit of justice in and through education—while building collaborative relationships and partnering with other leaders at both the strategic and operational levels. They will have extensive experience with leadership, administration, faculty affairs and educational programs.

We are seeking a person of vision who has demonstrated leadership qualities, strong academic credentials, a collegial and consultative leadership style, excellent interpersonal skills, and a commitment to diversity, equity, justice, inclusion and belonging for Erikson faculty. Erikson Institute has a deep and long-standing commitment to shared governance, and the Dean of the Faculty plays a central role in working with the President, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Executive Team, and the Faculty to implement this core tenet of institutional life informing Erikson’s mission in the pursuit of justice for young children, families, and communities.

Applicants for this position should hold an earned doctorate in child development, education, early childhood, teacher education, or related field; significant teaching and scholarly experience as a faculty member committed to equity and justice; a record of academic accomplishments appropriate for appointment at the Associate Professor or Professor level; and leadership experience in higher education.

Responsibilities:

1. Faculty representative: Serving as the fundamental point of contact between the Faculty, the VPAA, and the Executive Team, to represent faculty (rights and responsibilities) and ensure the effectiveness and answerability of the academic programs to the most historically divested communities in Chicagoland and beyond. 
2. Teaching and learning: Supporting faculty in teaching, advising, and field experiences, working with other departments to ensure the optimal development of faculty and learning experiences for students.
3. Faculty development: Promoting and supporting faculty scholarship, professional interests and goals as these relate to the Strategic Goals of Erikson Institute in terms of research, teaching, and service/community engagement. This includes supporting faculty promotions, sabbaticals, professional development, and well-being, as well as cultivating and sustaining a collaborative ethos and positive culture that prizes faculty satisfaction.
4. Logistics and administrative responsibilities: Overseeing the faculty, adjunct instructors, faculty annual review, faculty search and promotion processes.
5. Program review: Coordinate the program review process in collaboration with Faculty and the Board of Trustees Academic Committee, and work in collaboration with the VPAA in accreditation matters.
6. Program development and leadership: Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Educational Leadership program.

TO APPLY

Applicants must submit a:

• letter of application, with a statement of professional goals discussing their goals and experience(s) as they relate to the position description (including both administrative and academic roles and responsibilities),
• curriculum vitae, and 
• names and contact information of three references.

Additionally, if you want to request that your candidacy remains confidential, please include an additional document with such a request.

Please upload all docs in a single PDF

About Erikson

We are the premier graduate school in childhood development committed to ensuring that all children have equitable opportunities to realize their potential.

Erikson Institute’s graduate degree programs uniquely prepare child development, education, and social work leaders to improve the lives of young children and their families. Our impact and influence are further amplified through our innovative academic programs, applied research, direct services in the community, and advocacy and policy and leadership.

Erikson Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other classes protected by federal, state, or local laws. In addition, Erikson Institute provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws (including during the application or hiring process).

To learn more, please visit our web site at www.erikson.edu