University of Washington Dean for Milgard School of Business

The University of Washington Tacoma (UW Tacoma) invites nominations, expressions of interest, and applications for the position of Dean of the Milgard School of Business (MSB). This is a full-time faculty and administrative appointment. The administrative appointment service period is 12 months, with the 100% tenure faculty appointment service period being 9 months. The Professor appointment will be held in the Milgard School of Business. Anticipated start date is summer 2022. 

The incoming Dean of the Milgard School of Business will provide visionary leadership for the School. The successful candidate will work closely with the Associate Deans, Faculty Council, faculty, and staff of the MSB as they collectively seek teaching excellence and national prominence through the pursuit of scholarly and creative work. They will work with the faculty and staff to develop and implement new programs that will attract a diverse faculty, student body, and academic staff. They will represent the School and promote the MSB's strategic vision in the context of the larger campus' strategic plan.

As part of the University leadership team, the Dean will work closely with the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and other Deans and Program Directors regarding key campus programmatic, budget, and development issues. The Dean will also enrich partnerships with appropriate University units and support fundraising and relationship-building efforts with alumni and other constituencies. The Dean will work directly with community partners to ensure the MSB’s growth responds to the needs of employers and communities in the Puget Sound Region.

The Dean of the MSB will be an open and collaborative leader with exceptional communication and decision-making skills. The Dean must be committed to supporting and advocating for the MSB’s and UW Tacoma’s diverse student population. Moreover, the Dean must have a strong commitment to shared governance and the ability to reconcile differing opinions and develop solutions within an open environment. They will not only be a strong manager with a proven record of creating and enhancing academic programs and a history of improving and promoting academic excellence, but also a visionary leader that will position the MSB for years of strength and success.

The next MSB Dean will join a cohort of talented and highly capable faculty and staff during a time of momentous and exciting change. UW Tacoma is notably ranked for its large representation of first generation, military, and veteran populations. MSB will open its doors to a brand new, state-of-the-art building named Milgard Hall in January 2023. With its small class sizes and excellence in research, the next Dean will join a community dedicated to educating the next generation of business leaders and industry professionals. All University of Washington faculty engage in teaching, research, and service.

UW Tacoma is a dynamic and aspirational institution. The incoming Dean will inherit momentum and a future with significant potential for growth, increased excellence, and opportunities to propel the University into the ranks of the premier urban-serving institutions in the country. As the University continues to make headway in ensuring its fiscal and operational health, the next Dean will find that campus leadership is deeply committed to its mission and the success of its academic units. UW Tacoma enjoys unusually strong community and legislative support and recently received Carnegie Community Engagement Classification.

The Dean will provide leadership in: ▪ Advancing UW Tacoma’s vision to be an urban-serving campus that promotes higher education access through its programs, services, and partnerships▪ Achieving sustainable, consistent growth while maintaining UW Tacoma’s standards of academic excellence▪ Maintaining existing AACSB accreditation▪ Meeting the growing demand to serve both regional and international students▪ Providing opportunities to diverse populations of students, faculty, and staff▪ Promoting the transparent and inclusive recruitment, retention, and development of students, staff, and faculty with diverse disciplinary interests and backgrounds▪ Building a collaborative culture and cultivating relationships throughout all levels of the School and University that are successful, effective, reciprocal, mutual, and that impact the University and region▪ Leading the development of an innovative business school model and organizational framework designed to implement strategic initiatives and the shared goals of internal and external constituencies▪ Supporting the development of an innovative and inclusive curriculum, including advanced technology for both pedagogy and content ▪ Aligning educational pathways with economic opportunities of the South Puget Sound and developing relationships to support students’ successful career transitions▪ Enhancing existing community partnerships and identifying new partnership and fundraising opportunities▪ Identifying mechanisms and revenue streams to sustain its existing programs; developing new programs; and assuring the quality of curriculum and delivery in the face of disruptive technologies, increased competition, and the resource demands required to serve UW Tacoma’s student population.

The next Dean of the Milgard School of Business will also play a key role in advancing the following priorities, among others: Leading as an advocate and ambassador for the Milgard School and galvanizing the community around a vision for the future:  The new MSB Dean will demonstrate a deep understanding of the current state of business education nationally and internationally and will passionately articulate the potential for the School to thrive into the foreseeable future. The Dean will work in close concert with the faculty, staff, and the leadership of the University to create and pursue a bold vision for the School’s future. From that vision will grow strategic plans and initiatives which will take the School to the next level of accomplishment and acclaim. The University is deeply ingrained in the Tacoma business community, with successful approaches to experiential and community-engaged learning. Building from these acknowledged areas of strength, the new Dean will raise the profile and the reputation of the MSB, while continuing to support a culture of excellence.

Building on the University and the School's commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion: For many years, MSB has focused on creating a more welcoming and inclusive environment and developed innovative programs and opportunities for student access and success. The School focuses on organizational diversity and inclusive leadership. The next Dean will have the opportunity to increase diversity within the faculty and staff and will be expected to champion an inclusive curriculum and research agenda. To this end, the MSB is seeking a dean with a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and the ability to promote an inclusive culture that supports all faculty, staff, and students.

Managing and generating new resources for the School and partnering with external constituents: The next Dean will be expected to increase resources for the School through additional undergraduate enrollment and post-graduate programming and effectively align School resources to support its goals and priorities. The Dean will be a strong advocate for resources within the institution and will also be expected to develop new resources through grants, philanthropy, and other creative sources. The next Dean must have the ability to be an energetic, successful fundraiser and demonstrate an eagerness to build strong relationships with existing and potential supporters—including donors, alumni, community members, and others—to propel MSB to even higher levels of excellence. The MSB has a long history of partnerships with business, industry, and local organizations within the Tacoma business community and the Puget Sound. It has an exceptional Advisory Board comprised of alumni, business leaders, and community members who support the School in many ways. The Dean will work closely with the Board and other external partners to help with MSB’S development, community involvement, academic support, and strategic planning efforts. 

Recruiting, developing, and retaining talented faculty and staff:  In partnership with department chairs and School leaders, the next Dean will be expected to help attract, retain, and support a diverse group of outstanding faculty and staff. It is essential that the Dean understands and champions UW Tacoma's commitment to research and seeks to enhance the scholarly reputation of the Milgard School of Business. The Dean’s leadership is essential to supporting scholarship and investing in mentorship and professional development, to ensure individual and collective success. As chief academic officer of the Milgard School of Business, the next Dean will lead by example and recruit, support, and inspire a diverse and exceptional faculty and staff.

 

Qualifications

Professional qualifications:

The successful candidate must be an outstanding and transformational leader with a recognized scholarly record. Candidates must hold a Ph.D. or foreign equivalent in a related field from an accredited institution, attained rank as full professor. The candidates should possess expertise in eight or more of the following areas:

▪ Exceptional leadership skills required to lead MSB into the future

▪ Review and evaluate existing academic business programs and encourage the development of an innovative, inclusive curriculum and learning experiences

▪ Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in a framework that fits within UW Tacoma's mission as an urban public research institution

▪ Maintain, build, and promote business community partnerships; commitment to community engagement; and desire to make a positive impact on the city of Tacoma

▪ Commitment to faculty excellence, supporting and promoting impactful academic research and inclusive, innovative, and effective teaching.

▪ Commitment to staff excellence, supporting the professional development, promotion, and recognition of staff contributions

▪ Commitment for promotion of student success through dynamic curriculum development, incorporation of learning platforms, and active career planning and placement

▪ Leadership expertise in developing interdisciplinary and cross-campus collaboration to maximize resources, create opportunities, and strengthen relationships

▪ Handling AACSB accreditation and its principles and policies

▪ Significant fundraising skills and revenue generating activities

▪ Strong business acumen and expertise in strategic planning, fiscal planning, and organizational budget and resource management

 

 

 

Application Instructions

The Search Committee will begin reviewing applications immediately and will continue to accept applications and nominations until the position is filled. All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as three separate documents, a CV or resume, a letter of interest addressing the themes in the profile available at wittkieffer.com, and a Contributions to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion statement. WittKieffer is assisting the University of Washington Tacoma in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by May 2, 2022.

Application materials should be submitted using the buttons below.

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:

Bree Liddell, Natalie Song, and Ryan Crawford

UWTMilgardBusinessDean@wittkieffer.com

 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.

Commitment to Diversity

The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/). Additionally, the University’s Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member’s academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432).

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements and Information

Under Washington State Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14.1, University of Washington (UW) workers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof thereof, or receive a UW-approved medical or religious exemption. This requirement will be a condition of any offer associated with this recruitment. For more information, please visit https://www.washington.edu/coronavirus/vaccination-requirement/.