Dean of the Business School
Location: Worcester · Type: Full time · Posted: 2026-06-22 ·
Reference: R0003503
JOB TITLE
Dean of the Business School
LOCATION
Worcester
DEPARTMENT NAME
Provost Office
DIVISION NAME
Worcester Polytechnic Institute - WPI
JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY
Worcester Polytechnic Institute invites applications and nominations for the
position of Dean of the Business School. This is an exceptional opportunity
for a visionary leader to advance business education and research at a premier
technological university known for its distinctive project-based learning
model, where students tackle real-world challenges through hands-on projects
that connect academic disciplines to societal needs and professional practice.
The Dean will join WPI following the university's recent achievement of
Carnegie R1 research university status and recognition by U.S. News & World
Report as No. 18 nationally for best return on investment. This leader will
shape the future of WPI's Business School while contributing to WPI's
continued rise in international prominence.
The Business School at WPI is an accredited member of AACSB International,
with its industrial engineering program accredited by the Engineering
Accreditation Commission of ABET. It offers seven STEM-designated
undergraduate programs reflecting emerging technologies and industry needs,
including two newly launched degrees in marketing analytics and business
analytics & applied AI. At the graduate level, WPI provides MBAs, STEM-
designated master's programs, doctoral programs, and certificates that
integrate business fundamentals with analytics, technology, and leadership
through hands-on, experiential learning. These offerings emphasize real-world
application and allow students and working professionals to build targeted,
high-demand skills.
The Dean will report directly to Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
and Provost Andrew Sears and serve as a key member of the provost's leadership
team, with a significant opportunity to shape WPI's academic strategy.
Notably, the successful candidate will help guide a time of transformative
growth for the school, leading a group of highly motivated, distinguished, and
collaborative faculty to significantly expand student enrollment, strengthen
interdisciplinary collaboration, forge a robust network of industry
relationships, and nurture continued research excellence. The successful
candidate will have imagination, resourcefulness, integrity, humility, and the
ability to bridge both technical expertise and business acumen. The ideal
leader will demonstrate strategic vision, excel at building partnerships
across disciplines, and be able to attract top faculty and students while
showcasing the school's unique strengths in bridging technical expertise with
humanistic understanding.
For full application instructions and the executive search profile, please see
the link below.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Dean of the Business School provides visionary, strategic, and operational
leadership to advance the school's distinctive role.
Academic Leadership
Continue the growth trajectory of enrollment.
Oversee curriculum development, academic program review, and the
accreditation process.
Recruit, evaluate, and support faculty in teaching, research, outreach,
and professional development.
Promote scholarly excellence by leveraging interdisciplinary collaboration
within and beyond WPI.
Foster a culture of student professionalism, innovation, and success.
Provide leadership and oversight for faculty development, resource
allocation, and program quality.
Champion recruitment, retention, advancement, and well-being to foster a
strong, inclusive academic community.
Strengthen and expand the school's research enterprise.
Administrative Management
Provide strategic and operational oversight of the school, including
substantial budgetary responsibility, resource planning, and external
representation.
Develop and manage the budget, resources, and staffing for the Business
School. The Dean will manage a budget of over $7M and provide leadership
for the Dean's Office, comprising four direct reports:
Department Head
Assistant Dean, Business Programs
Assistant to the Dean
Operations Manager
Lead strategic planning initiatives aligned with institutional goals.
Ensure compliance with university policies and relevant external
regulations.
Ensure decision-making processes reflect fairness, transparency, and
ethical stewardship of resources.
Student Success & Engagement
Support student recruitment, retention, advising, and graduation
initiatives.
Foster supportive learning environments and co-curricular programming.
Address student concerns and uphold academic integrity standards while
modeling the professionalism expected of a polytechnic business school.
Advance interdisciplinary teaching and scholarship that prepares graduates
to address complex global challenges, particularly at the intersection of
business, technology, analytics, and societal impact.
Champion academic program innovation by working collaboratively with
faculty to develop new and responsive programs.
Advance the school's role in WPI's distinctive project-based learning
model.
External Relations & Advancement
Build and sustain strategic partnerships with industry leaders,
international institutions, alumni, and community organizations to enhance
research opportunities, enrich student experiences, and elevate the
school's national and global profile.
Lead fundraising efforts and secure external grants and sponsorships.
Represent the school in university-wide committees and public forums.
University-Wide Leadership
Serve as an engaged member of the Provost's Council and the President's
leadership team, contributing to university-wide initiatives while
advocating for the school's mission and strategic priorities.
Minimum Qualifications
A doctoral degree from an accredited institution in a relevant field, with
a record of scholarship and academic leadership appropriate for
appointment as a tenured professor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
A minimum of five years of leadership and administrative experience,
including experience in higher education.
Proven experience in strategic planning, change management, team building,
and budget management, including oversight of complex financial and human
resources.
Effective leadership and team building across various constituent groups,
with the ability to inspire and motivate faculty, staff, and students
toward shared goals.
Demonstrated success in teaching, research, and service, or equivalent
experience in a complex organization.
An understanding of and commitment to the evolving nature of a new R1
university.
A track record of successful donor stewardship and fundraising.
The ability to attract and retain talented faculty, staff, students,
donors, and partners.
Demonstrated financial acumen and experience managing large budgets and
resource allocation.
Demonstrated commitment to the highest standards of integrity, ethical
conduct, and professional responsibility in all leadership, academic, and
administrative activities.
Strategic thinking and long-term planning capabilities.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to
engage effectively with diverse internal and external communities, and a
professional presence appropriate for senior institutional leadership.
A willingness to engage with all members of the WPI community, including
maintaining a strong presence on campus for school and university-wide
programs and events.
An innovation-oriented mindset, with the ability to take thoughtful,
calculated risks, coupled with an unwavering commitment to the highest
standards of personal and professional integrity.
Data-informed decision-making and problem-solving skills.
Demonstrated engagement with the business community, providing practical
insight into contemporary market dynamics, organizational challenges, and
workforce needs.
Ability to navigate complex organizational structures and drive
institutional change.
Ability to build partnerships across academic, industry, and community
sectors.
A record of promoting ethical decision-making and professional conduct
within complex academic or organizational environments.
For full application instructions and to view the executive search profile,
please click here.
Compensation: $275,000– $350,000 per year. Salary is based on related
experience, expertise, and internal equity. WPI's benefits package includes a
robust retirement match, wellness perks, tuition assistance and more!
FLSA STATUS
United States of America (Exempt)
WPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive
consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion,
sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or
disability. It seeks individuals from all backgrounds and experiences who will
contribute to a culture of creativity, collaboration, inclusion, problem
solving, innovation, high performance, and change making. It is committed to
maintaining a campus environment free of harassment and discrimination.
