Associate Dean for Innovation and Outreach

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Full Consideration Date:

11/16/2026

Job Description:

The University of Northern Iowa's College of Education seeks an innovative, entrepreneurial, and collaborative leader to serve as Associate Dean for Innovation and Outreach. Reporting directly to the Dean and serving as a member of the College Leadership Team, the Associate Dean provides leadership for strategic innovation, professional learning, outreach, workforce development, educational entrepreneurship, enrollment-responsive programming, and emerging initiatives that advance the College's mission and long-term sustainability.

The Associate Dean serves as the primary leader of EdVantageUNI, the College of Education’s new outward-facing hub for professional learning, educational services, workforce development, continuing education, and innovative programming. Through EdVantageUNI and related initiatives, the Associate Dean develops and scales programs, services, credentials, pathways, and educational opportunities that expand the College’s reach and impact, respond to emerging educational and workforce needs, and generate sustainable resources to support the College’s mission. 

The Associate Dean collaborates closely with academic departments, Centers of Excellence, faculty, staff, students, and university partners to identify opportunities for growth and innovation while supporting the College's strategic priorities related to enrollment, outreach, educator preparation, professional learning, and financial sustainability. The successful candidate will build and expand a visible, mission-driven portfolio of educational programs, services, and strategic external partnerships; connect College and university expertise with emerging educational and workforce needs; grow the reach and impact of EdVantageUNI; establish sustainable models for emerging initiatives; and position the College as a responsive partner in professional learning, educational services, workforce development, and continuing education.

This is a full-time, 12-month Academic Administrator appointment, starting on July 1, 2027.

Portfolio Responsibilities:

Leads strategic innovation and emerging initiatives across the College of Education, fostering an entrepreneurial approach to educational programming, outreach, and partnerships; oversees EdVantageUNI and the College's portfolio of professional learning, continuing education, credentials, endorsements, and educational services; develops, implements, and scales externally facing educational programs, services, and pathways that respond to emerging educational, workforce, and community needs; pursues and supports externally funded initiatives, including Department of Labor opportunities, workforce development programs, registered apprenticeships, grants, and contracts; establishes and grows mission-aligned educational programs and services that expand the College's impact, enrollment, and financial sustainability; coordinates initiatives across academic departments and supports the development, growth, and sustainability of the College's Centers of Excellence; builds strategic external partnerships with schools, employers, community organizations, and other stakeholders to expand educational opportunities and services; supports the development and implementation of the College's charter school authorizing responsibilities, including policy, procedures, accountability, and oversight infrastructure; and provides strategic leadership for special projects and initiatives assigned by the Dean.

Education Requirements: 

Earned doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution in education or related field required. 

Required Qualifications:   

Qualifications consistent with appointment as a tenured associate professor or professor in any discipline within the COE; significant and progressively responsible leadership experience in higher education, PK–12 education, workforce development, or a related setting; demonstrated success developing and implementing strategic initiatives, innovative programs, professional learning, or outreach activities; experience managing budgets, personnel, projects, and organizational change; demonstrated ability to build partnerships and collaborate across organizational units and stakeholder groups; experience securing or managing grants, contracts, or other externally funded initiatives; and strong communication, strategic planning, and organizational skills required. 

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience developing and scaling educational programs, services, or initiatives that demonstrate impact and financial sustainability; experience leading professional learning (preferably in educator preparation), continuing education, credentialing, or educational outreach initiatives; experience with charter school authorization, governance, accountability systems, or related educational policy; experience with workforce development programs, registered apprenticeships, or Department of Labor initiatives; experience supporting or leading centers of excellence, institutes, or specialized educational centers; and demonstrated success building strategic external partnerships that expand educational opportunities, enrollment, and organizational impact preferred. 

Position Details:

Job Category: Academic Administrator

Service Schedule: Academic Year

For more information, please contact Mary Sult, Search Committee Chair, at [email protected]. Pre-employment background checks required.

Applications Instructions:

All application materials received by November 16, 2026, will be given full consideration. To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. The following materials must be attached when applying:

1) Curriculum Vita

2) Cover letter addressing qualifications; and specific examples of programs, initiatives, or partnerships successfully developed or led including individual contributions and measurable outcomes achieved.

You will be presented with the opportunity to attach multiple documents when completing the application. Before submitting your online job application, make sure that all required materials listed above have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes. If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected] or call 319-273-2422.

Iowa's cost of living is among the lowest in the nation and the Common Sense Institute ranks Iowa #1 for paycheck stretch. UNI enhances this advantage with an excellent benefits package for eligible non-temporary positions. Visit our Compensation Tools page to explore your estimated total compensation, compare Waterloo-Cedar Falls cost of living to other major cities or review the paycheck stretch ranking details. Learn more about the Cedar Valley at https://livethevalley.com/.

If you would like general assistance with the application process or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact Human Resource Services at [email protected] or call (319) 273-2422.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

UNI is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any status protected by federal and/or state law.

Campus Security & Crime Statistics, in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, information on crime statistics for recent years, Public Safety personnel and programs, building access, reporting crimes, safety suggestions, and policies, programs, and services regarding alcohol, drugs, and sexual abuse, is available in the UNI Annual Security and Fire Report. A paper copy is available from the Department of Public Safety, 030 Gilchrist Hall, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614. Department of Public Safety, 030 Gilchrist Hall, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614.

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