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Dean, Knauss School of Business

Posting #: 5110
Position Status: Full-time regular
Location: San Diego
Position Type: Administrator, School of Business

Position Title & Department:

 Dean, Knauss School of Business; School of Business
Posting #

5110

Department Description:

Founded in 1972 with the visionary belief that global partnerships are the key to the future of business, the Knauss School of Business excels at entrepreneurship and innovation, global business, ethical leadership, and business analytics. The Knauss School develops socially responsible leaders with a global mindset through academically rigorous, relevant, and values-based education and research. The School serves as a model of outstanding global business education, a leader in high-quality business research, and a magnet for the most dedicated and innovative faculty and staff. Knauss enrolls more than 1,375 undergraduate and 350 graduate students and offers 11 majors, 13 minors, several specialty master’s programs, and a variety of MBA programs. The School also houses four centers or institutes that enhance the student experience and build practitioner relationships with the business community. All MBA students and most undergraduates take advantage of opportunities the School offers to acquire international experience. The School is internationally recognized, both locally and globally, as indicated by a selection of recent rankings:

  • #1 Most beautiful campus in American (Princeton Review)
  • #2 Business school for undergraduates in California (Poets and Quants) 
  • #5 Undergraduate study abroad participation (Institute for International Education) 
  • #8 Most diverse MBA in the nation (Bloomberg Businessweek)
  • #8 Best green MBA (Princeton Review)

The Knauss School creates and prepares future business leaders who are well equipped for the 21st century marketplace; who can navigate business across the globe; who embrace innovation and entrepreneurship as cornerstones for building commerce; and who prioritize sustainability, ethics and social responsibility. The School is consistently recognized for its top teaching quality and the faculty has dramatically increased the number of publications in top-tier academic journals in recent years. The School serves as a model for outstanding global business education, a leader in high-quality business research, and a magnet for dedicated and innovative faculty and staff. Chair Emeritus Donald R. Knauss and his wife Ellie Knauss made a $50 million naming gift. Combined with other donations, the School expanded from 48,000 square feet to more than 120,000 square feet with the construction of the Knauss Center for Business Education, which was completed in 2022. In 2024, both the business and accounting degree programs were reaccredited for another five years by AACSB International.

University Description:

The University of San Diego, an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity’s urgent challenges.

Detailed Description:

Reporting to the Senior Vice President and Provost, the Dean serves as a member of the University’s leadership team. Reporting to the Dean are the following positions:

  • Associate Dean of Faculty and Operations 
  • Associate Dean of Strategy and Curricular Innovation 
  • Assistant Dean of Learner Success 
  • Assistant Dean of Finance and Strategic Management 
  • Executive Director, Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate 
  • Director, Supply Chain Management Institute
  • Director, Ahlers Center for International Business 
  • Director, Small Business Development Center 
  • Senior Director, Development 

The Dean leads all academic, administrative, and fiscal aspects of the Knauss School. The Dean is also responsible for maintaining and strengthening strategic relationships with alumni, benefactors, the local community, and industry leaders. The Dean articulates the strategic priorities and growth of the academic programs in the Knauss School of Business to enhance the visibility, brand, and reputation locally and globally. The Dean advances the mission and vision of the School with transparent decision making and an understanding of bottom-line fiscal implications. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

In addition to the day-to-day oversight of all financial and administrative matters, the Dean will have the opportunity to focus on the following:

  • Facilitating the development of long-range strategic plan for the School in alignment with the University’s strategic plan 
  • Demonstrating a strong commitment to shared governance and transparency
  • Fostering an inclusive culture of respect and trust that allows the School to attract and retain a talented and diverse faculty, staff, and student body
  • Promoting academic excellence through a strong commitment to the professional development of faculty and support of their research and teaching
  • Fostering alumni engagement and relationships with industry leaders
  • Partnering with University Advancement, lead fundraising and capital campaign initiatives to meet current and future priorities
  • Connecting students to internships, projects, and career opportunities 
  • Ensuring alignment with AACSB International standards to maintain accreditation
  • Collaborating with the other deans and the provost to foster a collegial and entrepreneurial culture that encourages innovative programming across campus 

Background check:  Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes. 

Job Requirements:

Qualifications:

Candidates are expected to hold a doctorate in one of the disciplines in the School and an exemplary record of academic achievement. In addition, strong candidates should demonstrate experience in most of the following areas:

  • Developing and guiding strategy in increasingly responsible administrative roles
  • Motivating and leading faculty and staff in a consultative and inspirational manner
  • Engaging external audiences to raise an institution’s profile and reputation
  • Fostering a culturally aware environment that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Strong candidates should also demonstrate excellence with most of the following skills:

  • Communicating, including listening, writing, and public speaking
  • Building relationships, across campus in the local business community
  • Managing finances and budgets
  • Understanding and appreciating contemporary Catholic identity
  • Cultivating support and raising resources to support an institution’s mission
Posting Salary:

$27,083-31,250 per month; Excellent Benefits

The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers.  Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer.  USD: Human Resources: Benefits

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position.  Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.

Special Application Instructions:
Nominations, inquiries, and expressions of interest should be directed to: usddean@russellreynolds.com. 
Additional Details:

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Closing date: Open until filled 

Note: External job postings will be up for at least three days. After that time, applications will be reviewed by the hiring manager/committee throughout the posting period. A candidate may be selected at any time which could then close this posting on a date earlier than listed.

The University of San Diego is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion and is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the campus community.

The University of San Diego is a smoking and tobacco-free campus. For more information, visit www.sandiego.edu/smokefree.

Advertised: Pacific Standard Time
Applications close:

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