Edtech.com's Summary

University of Wisconsin - Madison is hiring an Assistant Dean for Student Affairs to lead undergraduate student success initiatives within the College of Engineering's Academic Affairs division. The role directly supervises student-facing units such as advising, student engagement, career services, and wellness, and works closely with the associate dean and college leadership to align programs with institutional priorities.

Highlights

Directly supervises one or more student-facing functional units, such as advising, student engagement, or career services
Serves as a key member of the College of Engineering Academic Affairs leadership team
Guides annual goal-setting and continuous improvement for academic programs and student services
Supports special initiatives and grant-funded programs requiring senior leadership involvement
Represents the functional area on university review committees alongside the Faculty Senate, Deans, and General Counsel
Builds collaborative relationships across administrative and academic departments to support institutional initiatives
Requires 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in student affairs or academic administration, including at least 3 years supervising staff
Requires a master’s degree, preferably in higher education, student affairs, educational leadership, psychology, or a related field
Offers a starting salary of $110,000, negotiable based on experience and qualifications

Assistant Dean for Student Affairs Full Description

The Assistant Dean for Student Affairs provides strategic leadership and operational oversight in support of undergraduate student success. This role is responsible for advancing initiatives that enhance the undergraduate experience, ensuring high-quality services across student-facing units, and fostering a collaborative, student-centered culture.

The Assistant Dean for Student Affairs serves as a key member of the Academic Affairs leadership team, working closely with the associate dean, assistant deans, directors, departments, central administrative offices, and external partners to align programs and services with the College of Engineering (CoE) and institutional priorities.

The CoE Academic Affairs is a dynamic and student-centered unit that includes student engagement and leadership including student organizations, K-12 outreach, career services, undergraduate and graduate advising, learning support, and scholarships, and student wellness.

This position will directly supervise one or more functional units, ensuring effective service delivery, continuous improvement, and alignment with the COE’s academic mission.

Key job responsibilities

Advises and collaborates with the Dean, Associate Dean, and/or Office of the Provost on critical issues, representing the functional area of supervision at appropriate meetings and events as requested; and serves on and/or leads various program and/or university committees as directed
Serves on various university review committees, working with a wide range of constituencies including the Faculty Senate, Deans and Associate Deans, General Counsel, and University Leadership
Monitors on-going assessment and continuous improvement of academic programs and services by guiding the establishment of annual goals, ensuring progress towards goals is met, articulating challenges, and reporting on annual outcomes and achievements for programs and services
Supports special initiatives and/or grant-funded programs that require senior leadership attention with respect to program design, planning, coordination, and interaction with internal and external stakeholders
Facilitates collegial, collaborative working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, partners with administrative and academic departments to support initiatives, and gathers input from key stakeholders to support recommendations
Establishes priorities that align with the strategic directives of the assigned school or college and ensures units effectively carry out duties in a way that best supports the academic mission of the university; provides direct supervision of department/program leadership staff and monitors compliance with laws, regulations, university policies, procedures, and relevant contractual obligations
May exercise supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 FTE or equivalent employees

Department

College of Engineering, Academic Affairs

Compensation

The starting salary for the position is $110,000 (but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications).

Required qualifications

Minimum of 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in student affairs, academic administration, or a related area
Minimum of 3 or more years of experience leading and supervising staff, including managing multiple teams or functional units
Proven experience advancing student success initiatives that support individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds, with evidence of measurable impact (e.g., retention, engagement, or satisfaction outcomes)
Experience implementing academic or student affairs policy and procedures
Experience working collaboratively across departments and administrative units in a complex organizational setting
Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships across diverse stakeholders
Experience using data and assessment to inform decision-making, program improvement, and strategic planning

Preferred qualifications

Experience in a college of engineering or similarly complex academic environment
Understanding of the engineering profession and engineering curricula, and ability to relate to engineering undergraduates and prospective students
Demonstrated success overseeing student-facing units (e.g., advising, student engagement, student services, recruitment)
Experience with budget management, resource allocation, and operational oversight
Familiarity with student information systems, reporting tools, and assessment frameworks
Experience leading cross-functional initiatives or large-scale student experience improvements

Education

Master’s degree required; preferred in higher education, student affairs, educational leadership, psychology, social science, engineering or a related field.

How to apply

Select either "I am a current employee" or "I am not a current employee" under Apply Now, then upload a cover letter and resume/CV in a single attachment field (PDF preferred).

Selected applicants will receive an invitation to participate in phone or virtual interviews after the application deadline; finalists will be invited to an in-person interview at UW-Madison.

Contact information

Beth Brandl, [email protected]

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. Employment may require a criminal background check.

Let me find your next job.

Thanks - you're signed up.

Assistant Dean for Student Affairs

Edtech.com's Summary

Assistant Dean for Student Affairs Full Description

Director of Dental School Student Support

OT Program Manager

Senior Director of AccessAbility Resource Center

Assistant Registrar

Assistant Staff Director, Flex Program (Charlotte)