The Position:
The Dean will lead the Meinders School of Business at a critical time in its development and will help design and execute a strategy to strengthen its position in the market and ensure its long-term academic and financial success. The successful candidate will be an experienced, innovative leader with the intellectual and managerial skills to position this dynamic School as a destination that connects the most talented business students in the region with the best employers in the Midwest.

The Dean works closely with the Provost, the President, and the rest of the president’s senior administrative team, and serves on the Deans’ Council. They provide leadership that ensures excellence in curriculum design, scholarly activity, instructional delivery, assessment, and outcomes. Additionally, the Dean is responsible for supporting an environment of diversity, equity and inclusion, and student success.

Reporting to the Provost, and with a dotted line to the President, the next Dean will take a fresh look at the School’s strategy and opportunities and will work with the other deans to position Oklahoma City University as the premier private liberal arts University in the region.

Responsibilities:

Manages the overall operations of the Meinders School of Business (MSB), in accordance with the University’s mission, core values, policies, and procedures.
Plans and executes the budget for MSB, assuring that funds are requested for all necessary programs for the school. Assures that operations are executed within allocated funding.
Continuously works to improve business educational programs. Provides leadership in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating the programs of MSB.
Provides leadership for increasing student enrollment at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and supporting appropriate retention efforts.
Works with faculty to maintain AASCB and other appropriate accreditation.
Plays an important role in the strategic planning processes of both MSB and the university.
Assures that adequate provisions are made to advise business students regarding their academic programs.
Actively engages in fundraising activities for the university and MSB in accordance with Oklahoma City University’s Office of Advancement Policies and Procedures.
Oversees recruitment, supervision, professional development and retention of a strong and diverse faculty and staff. Ensures that faculty qualifications meet professional accreditation standards.
Oversees faculty workload and performance issues. Coordinates with the Provost/VPAA on such issues as the promotion and tenure process, faculty development and evaluation, and faculty overload policies.
Assures that MSB is organized efficiently to administer its academic and administrative programs and committees.
Maintains collaborative relationships and represents MSB with other academic and administrative offices on campus.
Maintains a presence in the local, state, national, and international communities. Represents the university and the school by engaging in public speaking and other roles as necessary.
Takes part in overall campus activities as appropriate and/or as directed by university senior management.
Assures that the Office of the Dean is administered in such a way as to foster responsiveness to students, faculty, senior university management, and other administrative activities in the university.
Takes a leadership role in serving as a liaison between the university, and the business community.
Develops and implements diversity and inclusion initiatives aimed at enhancing the academic programs and the faculty profile of MSB.

Qualifications:

An earned terminal degree in a discipline associated with the university is highly preferred.
Minimum of five years of administrative experience with a track record of innovation.
Demonstrated experience in graduate, undergraduate, executive, and certificate programming.
Understanding of and experience with AACSB accreditation.
Commitment to fundraising and a passion to be successful in the pursuit of philanthropic support.
A record of successfully leading change within a department or school/college.
Significant experience in assessing current program offerings and designing new programs that are consistent with the mission of the School and that support positive learning outcomes.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate with the greater college community.
A minimum of three years of full-time teaching experience at the college level is required.

Opportunities and Challenges:

Position the Meinders School of Business for long-term success

The Dean will help build a vision and strategy for the School that demonstrates commitment to a portfolio of programs relevant and responsive to changing demands and expectations in an increasingly competitive and dynamic environment. This effort will require engaging diverse constituents, both internal and external. Significant attention will be given to the review and reinvigoration of current programs and the examination of new programs and new delivery options. The Dean will take a leading role in university discussions related to expanding OCU’s presence in Oklahoma City and throughout the region.

Lead Meinders development efforts to ensure the continuing viability and success of the School

The Dean will play a critical role in raising funds to support student scholarships and to secure capital gifts in support of its faculty, staff, and programmatic initiatives. Working with the Vice President for Advancement the Dean will establish strong relationships with existing and prospective donors while enhancing the School’s name recognition and visibility.

Ensure that academic and operational resources are in place and optimally structured to support an ambitious agenda

The Dean will assess the current organizational structure and capacities of the Meinders School of Business to effectively support both the academic and operational needs of the School. This will include a comprehensive review of current human, physical, and financial resources to ensure that the School sustains the small, high-touch nature of the OCU experience. A plan for the recruitment of faculty with a passion for teaching and a record of the scholarship will be a priority.

Enhance the visibility of the Meinders School of Business across the university, in the region, and beyond

The Dean will serve as a highly visible representative of the Meinders School of Business, circulating widely to develop strong and mutually beneficial relationships both on and off-campus. Internally, the Dean will be an active and engaged colleague — an advocate for the Meinders School of Business who works to engender trust and credibility and who identifies and supports ways to contribute to the larger university. Externally, the Dean will build on well-established relationships and establish new ones with leaders in business, government, and non-profit organizations in Oklahoma City and in the region, as well as with potential students, employers, the advisory board, and alumni, to generate a network of partners who will serve as Meinders School of Business champions. The Dean will take full advantage of every opportunity to be the face and voice of the School and to articulate a clear and compelling message about what is distinctive about the Meinders School of Business.

The Chief Human Resources Officer, located in Room 105 of the Clara E. Jones Administration Building, telephone 405-208-5075, coordinates the university’s compliance with titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act and amendments, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

To Apply:
Confidential review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled; parties who apply before or by January 26, 2022 will be given first consideration. Interested candidates should submit a curriculum vitae/resume and a letter of interest.

For more information or to offer recommendations:
Kristen Farha, MHR
Senior Consultant
Summit Search Solutions, Inc.
Direct: 316-650-0069
kfarha@summitsearchsolutions.com

Oklahoma City University pledges to recruit, select, and promote diversity by providing equality of opportunity in higher education for all current and prospective students, faculty, and staff with respect to hiring, continuation, promotion and tenure, and applications for admission or employment, without discrimination or segregation based on sex (gender), race, age, ancestry, color, disability, genetic history, national origin, marital status, medical condition, religious creed, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, parenting status, status as a veteran, or the perception that a person has one or more of these characteristics.