Assistant Dean of MBA Programs

Job Description

The Michael G. Foster School of Business at the University of Washington is one of the nations top-ranked public business schools. Foster serves more than 2500 students across a broad portfolio of programs including multiple top-20 MBA programs seven specialty masters degrees an undergraduate business program two undergraduate minors and a PhD program. Located on the Seattle campus Foster benefits from strong ties to the global business community. The school is supported by more than 55000 engaged alumni and a collaborative community of faculty and staff dedicated to advancing business education research and student success.

The Foster School of Business has an exciting opening for an Assistant Dean of MBA Programs.

The Assistant Dean of MBA Programs provides strategic leadership operational oversight and programmatic direction for multiple MBA programs at Foster. This role is responsible for guiding the evolution delivery and continuous improvement of high-impact MBA experiences that align with Fosters purpose values and long-term market positioning. The Assistant Dean oversees student services program operations and co-curricular programming with full responsibility for annual program budgets exceeding $20 million.

The Full-time MBA program plays a critical role in the Schools national reputation and rankings while the working professional MBA Programs (Executive Evening and Hybrid) have a long history of serving working professionals and contributing significantly to the Schools financial sustainability. As market expectations learner needs and curricular models evolve the Assistant Dean provides strategic insight and leadership to help shape the ongoing development of each of these programs including their curricular structure delivery models and student experience.

As a member of the Foster Masters Portfolio leadership team the Assistant Dean contributes to school-wide strategy planning and decision-making representing curricular and student experience perspectives in discussions related to program design growth and long-term competitiveness. The Assistant Dean partners with senior leadership to identify opportunities to streamline operations align program models and enhance outcomes across programs positioning Foster to deliver a cohesive high-quality MBA experience at scale.

This position supervises the directors of the Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA and Hybrid MBA programs. This position reports to the Associate Dean for Masters Programs.

What You Will Do:

Strategic and Financial Management

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for the Full-time and Evening MBA programs ensuring alignment with the Foster Schools mission values and long-term strategic priorities.
• Serve as a strategic advisor on the design positioning and evolution of MBA program models with particular focus on aligning the Evening MBA curriculum and structure with changing market demands and learner expectations.
• Contribute expertise and insight to Fosters broader portfolio of MBA programs supporting efforts to align program offerings streamline operations and enhance consistency and quality across the MBA ecosystem.
• Plan direct manage and oversee program operations and financial performance for the Full-time and Evening MBA programs including full responsibility for annual budgets exceeding $20 million.
• Develop oversee and present annual budgets to the Foster Budget Committee; monitor financial performance and recommend adjustments as needed.
• Prepare financial and strategic reports for advisory boards senior leadership and other stakeholders.
• Develop and oversee program-level policies guidelines and governance processes in collaboration with the Associate Dean for Masters Programs and the Foster School Masters Programs Committee.
• Provide clear collaborative and values-driven leadership to advance program goals and support staff and student success.
• Co-plan with the Assistant Dean of MBA Career Management professional development frameworks and programming that prepare Full-time and Evening MBA students for competitive local national and global employment markets.

Academic Program Operations Assessment and Curriculum Feedback

• Conduct ongoing holistic evaluation of program performance including student outcomes curricular effectiveness market demand financial sustainability and external partnerships.
• Provide strategic feedback and recommendations related to curriculum delivery program structure and co-curricular design informed by student data employer feedback alumni insights and market trends.
• Partner with faculty leadership and the Associate Dean for Masters Programs to support curricular excellence high-impact learning experiences and a cohesive instructional environment.
• Identify and recommend new initiatives services and operational improvements that enhance student experience and program effectiveness.
• Oversee student satisfaction assessment processes; analyze feedback and recommend action plans in collaboration with program leadership.
• Develop implement and oversee operating policies procedures and systems supporting student affairs and program operations.
• Serve as a key administrative representative to Foster School faculty supporting collaboration communication and shared ownership of program quality.
• Advise and support students on academic and programmatic matters as needed including providing initial counseling and referrals to faculty or other university resources.
• Consult with the Associate Dean for Masters Programs and as appropriate the Foster Masters Programs Committee on complex or ambiguous policy and programmatic issues.

Supervision and Team Leadership

• Provide leadership and oversight for Directors of the Full-time Evening Hybrid and Executive MBA programs
• Support professional development planning for staff aligning individual growth with program and School priorities.
• Foster a collaborative inclusive and high-performing team culture consistent with Fosters purpose and values.
• Hire evaluate and manage staff performance; provide coaching and corrective action when necessary.
• Oversee student employees and temporary staff as appropriate.

Minimum Requirements

• Masters degree in Business Education Public Administration or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of three years of progressive leadership experience in a complex academic or professional services environment

Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements such as a license certification and/or registration.

Additional Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience working with multiple stakeholder groups including faculty students senior administrators and external partners.
• Proven success in financial and budgetary management within an academic or similarly complex organizational setting.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in staff supervision leadership development and strategic management.
• Strong organizational analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced evolving and occasionally ambiguous environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional experience in academic affairs program operations student services or career management within a highly ranked MBA or graduate business program.
• Experience working with both tuition-based (state-supported) and fee-based (self-sustaining) graduate programs.
• Experience contributing to program innovation curricular evolution or portfolio-level program strategy.

What You Can Expect:

• This position requires availability during some evenings and Saturdays to support class meetings program events and student programming.
• This position is hybrid-eligible typically being in the office (4) days per week.

Compensation Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

Pay Range Maximum:

Other Compensation:

Benefits:

Temporary or Regular

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

Union/Bargaining Unit:

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier return they enjoy outstanding benefits opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity intellectual excitement artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race color creed religion national origin citizenship sex pregnancy age marital status sexual orientation gender identity or expression genetic information disability or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process contact the Disability Services Office at or .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.