Position Summary:The Dean of the College of Fine Arts & Humanities serves as the primary academic and administrative leader for the college, reporting directly to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Dean provides strategic leadership, manages academic operations, and serves as the central advocate for faculty, staff, and students while maintaining a teaching load of 9 credit hours (3 courses) per academic year. Deeply grounded in an appreciation for the lifelong value of a liberal arts education, the Dean leads with a forward-looking vision prepared to navigate the nature of continuous change in higher education.
The desired start date for this position is June 1, 2027.
Minimum Qualifications:- Has an earned doctorate or appropriate terminal degree/credentials from an institutionally accredited university, with teaching, research, and service commensurate with an appointment to the rank of full professor;
- Demonstrates exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to build trust and resolve conflict across stakeholder groups;
- Prior experience in academic administration;
- Experience in policy and staff development;
- A commitment to building enrollment while maintaining a high quality of academic programs;
- Demonstrated experience in student advocacy and responsive leadership within a higher education environment;
- Leadership in assessment and accreditation agencies affecting school programs.
Job Duties & Responsibilities:- Foster continuous improvement of high-quality academic programs and degree tracks
- Promote, support, and elevate faculty scholarship, research initiatives, and creative activity across the college
- Mentor, and evaluate department chairs, faculty, and administrative staff to foster a high-performing academic culture
- Cultivate opportunities for ongoing professional growth, leadership development, and faculty promotion support
- Partner with admissions to drive strategic student recruitment, enrollment growth, and program outreach
- Champion student success, academic advising, and retention initiatives across all college departments
- Maintain current knowledge of regional and discipline-specific accreditation guidelines, ensuring institutional compliance
- Direct short- and long-term strategic planning aligned with institutional goals and accreditation standards
- Oversee college budget allocation, resource management, and strategic fundraising/grant efforts to support institutional growth
- Serve as the primary advocate for the college, building strategic partnerships with industry leaders, community organizations, and alumni
- Expand external outreach efforts to enhance the college's regional reputation and workforce alignment
- Teach 9 credit hours (3 courses) per academic year in alignment with departmental needs
- Serve on the Academic Council and other University committees as needed
- Perform other strategic duties and institutional initiatives as directed by the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Supervisory Responsibilities:Supervise, manage, and motivate an individual/team to achieve departmental goals.
Work Hours:Full-time. 37.5 hours per week. Generally, Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Hours may be extended to meet the needs of the department. Nights/weekends as needed.
Appointment Length:12 months, continuous
Environmental and Working Conditions/ Physical Demands and Aptitudes:Mostly Sedentary work. Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment related to teaching. Prolonged periods sitting and standing. Worker is required to have close visual acuity to grade papers, viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading. Must have the ability to travel short distances, and/or drive a vehicle to deliver and pick up materials. Exerting up to 15 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Some repetitive motion.
Title IX Implications:Responsible employeeAny employee who is not a confidential employee. Brenau University requires that all Responsible Employees MUST report any possible sexual harassment or discrimination based on sex to the Title IX Coordinator when the employee has information about conduct that reasonably may constitute sex discrimination or sex-based harassment under Title IX or this part. Employees are encouraged to report these concerns in writing via email. When an employee or a student (or a person who has a legal right to act on behalf of a student) informs any employee (including both Responsible and Confidential employees) of the employee's or student's pregnancy or related conditions, that employee must promptly provide that person with the Title IX Coordinator's contact information and inform that person that the Title IX Coordinator can coordinate specific actions to prevent sex discrimination and ensure the employee's or student's equal access to the Recipient's education program or activity.
Payroll Status:Salary- Exempt (paid bi-weekly)
Campus Designation:This is an
on-site position based at the Historic Gainesville Campus located in Gainesville, Georgia.
Remote Work Available: No
Travel Requirements: No travel required.
Benefits: Dependent upon employment status, years of service and worker category. Explore all that Brenau offers for Your Health, Your Mind, Your Finances, & Our Community here: https://intranet.brenau.edu/human-resources/job-opportunities/.
Time-Off & Blackout Dates:Time-off requests and university blackout periods are managed through the direct supervisor and the ADP employee portal.
Licensure Requirements:Proof of any professional degree, license, or certification (collectively, "Credentials") required to competently perform the work for which the employee is hired must have been submitted at the time of application for the position. Discovery during the course of employee's employment that applicable Credentials have lapsed, been terminated, were misrepresented, or were falsified may result in immediate termination of employee's employment.
All positions will be filled pending budgetary review. 
