Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist the University of Akron in its search for Dean of the College of Business. 

For best consideration, please apply by September 30. 

The College of Business at the University of Akron witnessed considerable enrollment growth under Dean R.J. Nemer, who was recently named as the 19th president of the university. The College of Business’ mission—to provide a transformative learning experience through cutting-edge academic programs, global thought leadership, innovative professional development, and strong business connections—guides a 360-degree approach to business education. In line with its mission, “Experience Business” motto, and the new “Experience Guarantee” initiative, the college is focused on providing a plethora of real-world experience to its students. With a comprehensive professional development program, the College of Business has established novel experiential pathways at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. To maintain positive momentum and growth, the University of Akron seeks a proven leader and active fundraiser with a demonstrated track record of innovation and success. This dean position is ideal for a cutting-edge, student-centric champion with a history of strategic growth initiatives, significant creation of buy-in and financial resourcing, strong partnership and collaboration skills, and results-focused leadership. The successful candidate will coordinate the development and delivery of academic programs, meeting the demands of today’s workforce and students while enhancing the visibility and reputation of the existing business programs.  

The new dean will be required to successfully inspire the College of Business faculty and staff and collaborate and partner with colleges and departments across the University. The dean should be prepared to solicit innovative ideas and share with others, all while critically and carefully considering pathways for effective implementation. The successful candidate will be required to establish clear priorities for the college, communicate and champion those priorities and follow through for continued progress. The College of Business Dean will seek input from faculty and staff, administration, advisory boards and other partners.

The Akron area, rich in development and growth potential, provides an exceptional opportunity for a creative leader and builder; as such, the candidate should be skilled in working across disciplines, civically and community engaged and familiar with business development. The successful candidate will be required to better connect the business community with the University, its College of Business and its students. The ability to proactively develop forward-thinking strategies and react quickly to changes in the economic and educational environment is a requirement for successful performance in this important role. The dean will lead efforts to provide students with opportunities and further differentiate the University of Akron from other institutions regionally and nationally. 

This position offers exciting opportunities to provide strategic and visionary leadership to a motivated group of faculty and staff in matters relating to curriculum and program development; AASCB accreditation; assessment and evaluation; recruitment and retention of faculty, staff and students; community engagement; research and scholarship; grant-seeking; and fundraising.  This position will also offer the opportunity to bring to the College of Business successful strategies and practices which will support overall growth objectives. 

The College of Business maintains AACSB accreditation with additional AACSB accreditation in accounting, making it one of only 1% globally to hold this dual status. The College of Business was ranked among the top 100 undergraduate schools in the country and fourth in Ohio based on Poets&Quants rankings. The Princeton Review named the MBA program one of the best on-campus MBA programs nationwide.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Dean of the College of Business is the chief academic, fiscal, and administrative officer with responsibility for the college’s instructional, research and outreach environment. The dean is expected to provide vocal and visionary leadership on behalf of the College of Business, to embrace the mission of public education in an urban environment, and to lead the creation and implementation of excellence in belongingness and inclusiveness across various sectors of students. This deanship is an exciting opportunity for an entrepreneurial and dynamic leader, as the College of Business strives to grow enrollment and undertakes efforts to increase non-tuition revenue generation, further leveraging strategic corporate and community partnerships.

This position reports to the Executive Vice President and Provost and leads a college of approximately 75 colleagues at the levels of associate and deans, department chairs, directors, faculty and staff.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Candidates may emerge from various experiences, achievements, and leadership histories both within and outside of the academy;
• Candidates should have substantial experience within their chosen professional track in leading large units towards significant growth and social impact; 
• All candidates from the academic career path should have a terminal degree relevant to their discipline, while those from outside the academy should be in a top leadership role within their industry and organization(s);
• All candidates should have a demonstrated record of administrative and top management experience, whether within a corporate or business setting or within an academic environment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A vision for a college of business that will serve as a top choice for prospective students and employers, coupled with evidence of translating that vision into action; 
• Proven history of significant fundraising and growth advocacy; 
• Demonstrated effectiveness in relating to diverse faculty, staff, students and external constituencies; 
• Commitment and history of success with interdisciplinary and experiential learning in the context of growing intercollegiate, community, and international partnerships; 
• Experience with extending and applying research, educational, and practice-based knowledge to help solve problems and foster learning throughout the community; 
• Demonstrated examples of working effectively in an environment of shared governance; 
• Success in managing organizational changes in ways that are responsive to diverse constituencies and maintain practices of collaboration and collegiality.

About the College of Business 

The College of Business enrolls more than 1,500 undergraduates and nearly 300 graduate students across its five (5) academic units—the departments of Economics, Finance, Management, and Marketing, and the George W. Daverio School of Accountancy. Additionally, it is home to six centers and institutes, a comprehensive professional development and leadership program, five (5) graduate degrees and four (4) undergraduate degrees composed of 18 different majors. The College of Business employs more than 50 full-time faculty and 25 staff members. Throughout the college, the academic departments, auxiliary programs, research labs and discipline-based centers and institutes all yield foundational and applied knowledge. The College of Business is globally recognized and nationally renowned for strong academic preparation, 360-degree professional development training, and network building that produces career-connected future professionals. 

The College of Business at the University of Akron has earned the distinction of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation and is ranked as a top 50 public business school by Bloomberg Businessweek. Located within downtown Akron, OH, the College of Business is just steps away from multiple Fortune 500 companies and has established ties to the business community. The College of Business places great emphasis on applied learning and is a campus leader in discipline-specific advancement boards, with over 270 executives currently serving in advisory and mentoring roles. The college’s strong ties to the business community provide ready access to internships that provide experiential learning, leading to high job placement rates and measurable student success. For more information, please visit https://www.uakron.edu/business.

About the University of Akron
The University of Akron is one of Ohio’s most influential public urban research universities, conducting extensive research in focused areas of excellence, contributing to the vitality of the local economy, and providing a workforce highly trained in diverse disciplines. UA offers nearly 15,000 students a wide variety of in-demand associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and professional degree programs with a career-focused emphasis.

More UA and community information here.

About the Area  (City of Akron information here)

With a population of nearly 200,000, Akron is perfect for those looking for a city with a small-town feel. With more than 20 distinct neighborhoods, the city offers residents a wide array of benefits including a vibrant downtown, delicious dining, diverse and thriving arts and cultural scene, outdoor activities including the San Run Metro Park with over 41 miles of hiking trails and Towpath Trail with 87 miles of Ohio’s most scenic countryside and numerous small lakes. The city is further supported by public transportation including buses, Amtrak and the Akron-Canton Airport. Akron enjoys a cost of living 30.5% below the national average.

Akron is only 40 minutes from Cleveland, 30 minutes from Canton and about two hours from both Columbus and Pittsburgh. The city has a strong pro-business climate and is strategically located to promote opportunities. Akron is the corporate home to numerous companies.

To Apply 

For full consideration, please apply by September 30.

Please apply through the application link and do not email applications. 

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially.

Inquiries and questions: Please send to UAkronDeanBusiness@acesrch.com
Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominee’s name, title, and contact information if available to nominations@acesrch.com.

Institution’s EEO Statement
The University of Akron is an Equal Education and Employment Institution. View our Non-Discrimination Statement for more information. Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans.