The Position
Tulane seeks an innovative and entrepreneurial leader, visionary thinker, and strong communicator as the next Dean of the School of Social Work. The next Dean will strategically position TSSW for the future and will have the creativity, talent, and energy to build on its legacy of academic excellence and community engagement and continue to strategically improve the School’s impact, reputation, and financial strength.
TSSW is now at a moment that requires leaning into its key strengths and opportunities to meet the needs of the most vulnerable people in our society. In collaboration with the faculty, the Dean will envision and execute a strategic plan that seizes upon TSSW’s reputation in the field and its role in the New Orleans community. For these ambitious goals, the Dean must strengthen existing revenue streams, increase enrollment, and attract the investment essential for a leading school of social work.
Further, given the heightened awareness in our world of the need for human services, the Dean will serve as a champion for the crucial role of social work in our society. Likewise, TSSW’s unique location and important connection to climate justice requires the Dean to demonstrate a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts in meaningful ways.
The Dean is the chief academic and administrative officer of the School, responsible to the Provost for oversight and quality of all the School’s academic and research programs. The successful candidate will identify new opportunities for growth, and advocate for TSSW’s important role in the University’s research and community-focused missions.
The Dean will bring high academic standards, an outstanding record of scholarship, and strong leadership and management skills and must possess a terminal degree and the qualifications for appointment as a tenured professor. The Dean sets the academic tenor, promotes a culture of outstanding innovation and scholarship, and represents faculty, students, and staff to the University and beyond.
Responsibilities
As chief academic and administrative officer of TSSW, the Dean is responsible for providing leadership for the following specific activities:
Leadership and Strategic Planning: The Dean articulates the long-range vision, specific strategies, and detailed administrative and fiscal provisions to ensure the excellence of faculty teaching and research. They collaboratively develop a strategic vision for the school’s future, plan and implement the initiatives necessary to realize that vision and obtain and manage the financial and human resources needed to support those initiatives.
Faculty Appointments: The Dean is responsible for the recruitment, appointment, reappointment, promotion, and tenure of faculty in TSSW.
Budgetary and Administrative Oversight: The Dean is responsible for all aspects of TSSW’s $17.7 million operating budget. Other principal areas of administrative responsibility include the allocation, stewardship of, and planning for academic facilities.
Stewardship and Development: The Dean has primary responsibility for articulating the philanthropic aspirations of TSSW, building strong relationships with advisors, alumni, and other donors, and leading fundraising efforts.
Community Engagement: The Dean is responsible for managing TSSW’s engagement by advancing and promoting cross-campus, multidisciplinary partnerships, as well as those in the broader New Orleans and social work communities. The Dean serves as a visible and accessible leader to students, faculty, staff, alumni, advisors, and community members, and as an exemplar of engaged and positive University citizenship.
Pivotal Experience & Expertise
Strategic and Organizational Management: An experienced academic leader with a track record of success in academia or relevant to the field of social work; business acumen that demonstrates an astute understanding of finances and the relationship between academic priorities and the budget and operational efficiencies. A record of accomplishment in recruitment, retention, and equity for outstanding faculty, staff, and students.
Operational Implementation and People Management Skills: Demonstrated evidence of the ability to manage an academic organization, including effective management of programs, financial resources, staff, and infrastructure. Strong people management skills with the ability to recruit, retain, and develop a diverse and talented team.
Credentials and Experience: Superior academic credentials and record of scholarly achievement with a track record of leadership and administrative experience; or a recognized career of achievement in a relevant field, with experience in and a strong understanding of social work education, scholarship, and university culture.
Resource and Relationship Building: A record of developing mutually beneficial partnerships within and outside an institution. A demonstrated ability to partner effectively with faculty, the President, the Provost, Deans, and other members of the University’s senior leadership team.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: A demonstrated commitment to maintaining a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion; an understanding of its importance to the mission and richness of the School and its ongoing success.
Leadership Capabilities & Personal Characteristics
Values-Driven: Embodies the spirit and standards of the profession. Models ethical behaviors: integrity and trustworthiness and holds self and others accountable. Is emotionally intelligent and exercises good judgment; is an excellent steward of resources and manages with transparency.
Collaborative: Builds teams through trust and cultivates engagement within the University and the community.
Communication Skills: An articulate, enthusiastic, and effective communicator, with a clear capacity to be a successful fundraiser and to work effectively with a broad range of internal and external constituencies.
