Dean, Academic Affairs and Strategic Initiatives

Job Description

IRVINE VALLEY COLLEGE CAMPUS STATEMENT

Irvine Valley College (IVC) is a student-centered institution committed to academic excellence, equitable student outcomes, innovation, and transforming lives through education. Guided by our mission, vision, values, and Inspire 2035 strategic plan, we are building a future-ready college that expands educational opportunities, advances economic and social mobility, strengthens community partnerships, and fosters a culture of belonging, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Our work is grounded in a shared commitment to student success, from strengthening transfer and career education pathways to expanding dual enrollment, serving adult learners, embracing emerging technologies and artificial intelligence, and reimagining how we support teaching and learning. We seek a dean who will value participatory governance, collegiality, transparency, data-informed decision-making, and the diverse perspectives of our faculty, classified professionals, administrators, and students. Above all, we seek a collaborative, forward-thinking leader who approaches challenges with curiosity, creativity, integrity, and a growth mindset; understands that innovation must be purposeful and sustainable; and recognizes that lasting institutional progress is achieved not by working in isolation, but by listening, envisioning, building together, acting, and continuously learning. At IVC, we are not simply preparing students for the future, we are working together to shape it.

Specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the position. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

The Dean of Academic Affairs and Strategic Initiatives provides collegewide leadership in academic planning, curriculum development, enrollment management, accreditation, and the advancement of institutional initiatives that strengthen student access, success, and completion. Working under the direction of the Vice President for Instruction, the Dean promotes innovation and integration across instructional and student services areas to ensure effective academic operations, high-quality programs, and alignment with both the district and college’s strategic plan, and California Community Colleges strategic plan.

This position leads the design and execution of strategic initiatives that enhance institutional effectiveness, including curriculum, scheduling, catalog production, faculty workload management, community education, and cross-college enrollment planning. The Dean fosters collaboration among divisions, academic support areas, and student services to create structured educational experiences from entry to completion.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from the appropriate level manager, administrator, or designee.

Exercises functional and technical supervision over assigned faculty, classified professionals, student staff and related reporting personnel.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties and responsibilities are typical for this position. Incumbents may not perform all the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

ACADEMIC PLANNING AND OPERATIONS

Provide leadership in academic affairs functions, including curriculum coordination, class schedule and catalog preparation, and faculty workload management.

Oversee enrollment management activities in collaboration with instructional deans, chairs, and the enrollment management team to establish, monitor, and evaluate enrollment targets.

Ensure academic compliance with local, state, and federal policies, Title 5, Education Code, and accreditation standards.

Support development of annual academic calendars in coordination with faculty, classified professionals, and district departments.

Collaborate in the coordination of academic course offerings at off-campus sites, including high schools, community centers, and partnership locations, ensuring consistency, quality, and alignment with college pathways.

STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS

Lead and assess collegewide strategic initiatives that advance strategic planning (e.g. Inspire 2035 goals, Guided Pathways, student success, equity, and access plan) and institutional transformation.

Collaborate with Institutional Research and other units to translate data and analysis into actionable insights for informed decision-making.

Develop effective communication strategies for initiative updates, policy and procedure changes, and accomplishments.

Engage with administrators, faculty, and classified professionals to ensure initiatives progress on schedule and produce intended outcomes.

Collaborate with the Vice President for Student Services to align instructional and student success strategies that support equitable outcomes.

CURRICULUM, SCHEDULING, AND ACCREDITATION

Serve as administrative liaison to the Curriculum Committee and its technical subcommittees.

Support the timely, accurate preparation of class schedules, faculty teaching assignments, and workload reports.

Support participation in program review, curriculum compliance, and ACCJC accreditation planning and reporting.

Oversee the preparation of the college catalog, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and currency of program information and academic policies.

FACILITIES, RESOURCES, AND BUDGET MANAGEMENT

Assess, evaluate, and coordinate the efficient use of classrooms, laboratories, and learning spaces to optimize enrollment capacity.

Participate in facilities user groups and provide input for capital projects affecting academic programs.

Prepare, administer, and monitor budgets for assigned areas; ensure fiscal accountability and effective resource utilization.

Explore and identify grant and external funding opportunities that advance academic and strategic priorities.

LEADERSHIP AND COLLABORATION

Provide training, supervision, and evaluation of assigned faculty and staff; ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements and district policy.

Promote professional excellence through collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Serve on college and district committees, councils, and task forces; actively support participatory governance processes.

Maintain currency in higher education trends, data analytics, online learning, and education technology.

Perform other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position and the District's mission and philosophy.

Report to work on a regular and consistent basis, as scheduled, to assigned job.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE GUIDELINES

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:

A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in any discipline. An earned doctorate is desirable.

Experience:

At least four years of demonstrable successful leadership and administrative experience in higher education, including two years managing initiatives, enrollment management, or institutional effectiveness projects. At least three years of postsecondary teaching or academic service preferred. Demonstrated experience in data-informed decision-making, cross-functional collaboration, and strategic planning preferred.

Commitment to equity and diversity. All applicants must have demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, faculty and staff. The applicant must be able to demonstrate how these factors relate to the need for equity-minded practices within an educational environment.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

Administrative experience in curriculum development, class scheduling, enrollment management, and catalog production.

Demonstrated success in developing, implementing, and assessing strategic or institutional initiatives that improve student outcomes.

Experience integrating academic affairs with student success initiatives through Guided Pathways or related frameworks.

Familiarity with accreditation standards, Title 5 and Education Code regulations, and California Community College system policies.

Evidence of leadership in cross-college collaboration, data analytics, and innovation.

Strong understanding of technology-enhanced instruction, online learning quality standards, and use of digital tools to support institutional effectiveness.

Excellent communication, facilitation, and consensus-building skills across constituent groups.

Demonstrated capacity for managing multiple complex projects and deadlines with diplomacy, patience, and cultural competence.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

California Community College system, Title 5, Education Code, and ACCJC accreditation standards.

Canvas and/or other learning management systems, and other instructional and student services software.

Enrollment management systems, faculty workload processes, and scheduling methodologies.

Innovative teaching and learning, digital education, and pathways that drive economic and social mobility.

Interpersonal communication skills including tact, patience, courtesy and diplomacy, conflict resolution, and team building in a diverse educational environment.

Participatory governance process and venue, fostering open communication among divisions/schools, programs and services, and collaborative leadership models.

Planning and organizational skills.

Principles and practices of higher education administration, curriculum development, and assessment.

Principles and practices of leadership and administration, including organization, budget development, resource management and grant processes.

Principles and practices of supervision, training and performance evaluation.

Role and purpose of technological systems in providing online instruction, instructional support and student services.

Strategic planning, institutional effectiveness, and data-informed decision-making frameworks.

ABILITY TO:

Advocate for equitable access, inclusion, and student achievement across diverse populations.

Analyze data and translate findings into actionable strategies to improve student success.

Build consensus and maintain effective, collegial relationships with faculty, classified professionals, students, and administrators.

Communicate clearly, concisely and effectively, both orally and in writing, with diverse constituencies within and outside of the District.

Demonstrate evidence of a sensitivity, understanding and commitment to working with community college students of diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, physically challenged and ethnic backgrounds.

Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability.

Demonstrate leadership, management, supervisory, and team building skills.

Develop and implement technology-based solutions to curriculum and instructional issues.

Develop, prepare and effectively and efficiently administer budgets.

Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Interpret, apply, explain and ensure compliance with applicable District policies and procedures and local, State and federal laws and regulations.

Lead and coordinate complex academic operations across multiple departments.

Operate computer/applications software, including database management, spreadsheet, word processing and software related to learning assistance programs.

Plan, implement, and evaluate strategic initiatives aligned with institutional goals.

Prepare oral and written reports and recommendations.

Represent the college in community, regional, and statewide settings with professionalism and integrity.

Resolve conflicts and solve problems.

Select, train, lead, direct, supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned personnel.

Work collaboratively with administration, classified management, faculty, staff and students.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.



Work Environment:

Standard office setting with frequent contact with faculty, staff, students, and community partners. Work is performed primarily in an office environment but includes attendance at campus, district, and community meetings.



Physical Demands:

Requires ability to sit or stand for extended periods, communicate effectively in person and electronically, operate office equipment, and travel to off-campus sites and meetings.

Closing Date: November 30 , 2026

Required Documents: Resume and Cover Letter

Range 22 of the District Management Team Salary Schedule

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM) - Evening and weekend hours may also be required based on operational needs

Hours per Week: 40

Months per Year 12

Closing Date/Time: Mon, 30 Nov 2026