About this role
Position Summary
The Associate Dean of Academic Affairs provides strategic and operational leadership for NYU London's academic portfolio and is a member of the NYU London senior leadership team. The role has primary responsibility for the quality, integrity, development, and effective delivery of NYU London's academic programmes, working in close partnership with NYU London leadership, faculty, staff, and students; the Office of Global Programs; NYU schools and departments; and external academic partners in London and the UK.The Associate Dean leads the Academic Affairs team of a dozen colleagues, providing leadership across curriculum development, academic quality and policy, faculty development, student academic support, assessment, academic integrity, research, and academic partnerships. The role is responsible for fostering a rigorous, innovative, and globally engaged academic environment that supports excellent student learning and advances NYU's academic mission.The Associate Dean also contributes to the continued development of NYU London as an academic and research community, including its engagement with the UK higher education environment, academic accreditation and quality processes, research development, and partnerships with universities, government, business, and nonprofit organisations.In addition to their leadership responsibilities, the Associate Dean maintains active engagement with teaching and scholarship or relevant professional practice and normally teaches two courses per academic year in their area of expertise.NYU values a diverse and collegial academic community and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds who meet the qualifications of the role.
Academic Leadership and Strategy — 25%
- Provide strategic leadership for NYU London's academic portfolio, ensuring alignment with NYU's academic standards, priorities, and global mission.
- Partner with the Site Director, Office of Global Programs, and other NYU academic leaders to develop and implement academic strategy and priorities.
- Lead the development, review, and continuous improvement of NYU London's curriculum and academic offerings.
- Oversee the development of new courses and academic programmes and changes to existing offerings, working with site leadership and relevant NYU schools, departments, and academic governance structures.
- Use student outcomes, course evaluations, faculty feedback, classroom observations, and other relevant evidence to assess academic quality and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Ensure that academic planning appropriately considers faculty resources, facilities, technology, laboratories, library provision, and other resources required for successful programme delivery.
- Contribute to NYU London's broader institutional strategy as a member of the senior leadership team.
Academic Affairs Leadership and Faculty Development — 25%
- Lead the Academic Affairs function, with direct accountability for a team of approximately 12 professional staff (including 5-6 direct reports at manager/senior-manager level) and functional oversight of academic delivery involving approximately 12 full-time and 100 part-time faculty, across Fall, January, Spring, and Summer terms.
- Lead, support, and develop academic and professional staff, establishing clear expectations and fostering a collaborative, accountable, and inclusive working environment.
- Oversee faculty recruitment, onboarding, development, engagement, and performance processes within the scope of the role.
- Develop opportunities for faculty professional development and pedagogical innovation.
- Foster collaboration among faculty, academic staff, Student Life, and other NYU London functions to enhance the student academic experience.
- Promote effective communication and collaboration between NYU London and relevant NYU schools, departments, portal campuses, and the Office of Global Programs.
- Hold budgetary oversight of the Academic Affairs operating budget including resource planning and allocation across terms.
Academic Quality, Policy and Compliance — 20%
- Provide leadership for academic quality assurance, academic policy, and accreditation and compliance activities, including engagement with the Office for Students (OfS) and relevant Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) frameworks as applicable to NYU London's UK regulatory status.
- Lead the development, implementation, review, and consistent application of academic policies and procedures in partnership with NYU London leadership and the Office of Global Programs.
- Oversee academic integrity and formal academic processes, including matters relating to plagiarism, attendance, academic probation, complaints, disciplinary matters, and appeals.
- Support NYU London's academic accreditation and reporting requirements in the UK and United States and represent NYU London in relevant academic quality, accreditation, and compliance matters as required.
- Oversee academic programme evaluation and quality-review processes and ensure that findings inform continuous improvement.
- Contribute to the maintenance and regular review of faculty and student academic guidance and handbooks.
- Exercise sound judgment in complex academic matters, balancing University policy, academic standards, student needs, and UK regulatory requirements.
Student Academic Experience and Partnerships — 15%
- Provide strategic oversight of academic advising and student academic support at NYU London.
- Work closely with Student Life and other colleagues to create an integrated learning environment that supports student success inside and outside the classroom.
- Ensure appropriate academic processes and resources are available to support students experiencing academic difficulties or navigating academic concerns.
- Foster an academic environment in which students are connected with appropriate resources when they experience barriers to participation in their learning environment.
- Develop and maintain productive relationships with UK universities, educational organisations, government, businesses, nonprofit organisations, and other partners that support NYU London's academic mission.
- Support the development of experiential, community-engaged, and co-curricular learning opportunities.
Teaching, Research and Academic Engagement — 15%
- Normally teach two courses per academic year within an appropriate area of expertise, maintaining high standards of teaching, assessment, feedback, and student mentorship.
- Maintain appropriate scholarly research and/or professional engagement relevant to the discipline and seniority of the role.
- Contribute to the development of NYU London's research environment and support opportunities for faculty research and collaboration.
- Support the development of infrastructure and processes that enable participation in appropriate UK and European research opportunities where applicable.
- Represent NYU London at relevant academic conferences, professional forums, and external events .
Qualifications
Required Education
- PhD, preferably in a relevant field
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong knowledge of U.S. and UK higher education environments, including familiarity with UK regulatory bodies such as the Office for Students (OfS) and the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), and an understanding of academic policies, practices, and governance relevant to the position.
- Demonstrated ability to provide strategic academic leadership while effectively managing complex operational responsibilities.
- Demonstrated commitment to fostering a welcoming and collegial academic and professional environment.
- Proven ability to build productive relationships and collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, students, senior leaders, and external partners.
- Excellent intercultural, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex issues clearly across different audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and make effective decisions involving complexity, ambiguity, competing priorities, and multiple stakeholders.
- Strong organisational and strategic planning capabilities, including the ability to establish priorities, define objectives and milestones, allocate resources effectively, and deliver results.
- Demonstrated ability to lead through collaboration, build trust, develop others, provide constructive feedback, and foster effective teamwork.
- Ability to operate effectively within a complex, international, and evolving higher education environment.
- Appropriate proficiency with digital productivity and collaboration tools, including Microsoft Excel and Google Workspace.
Required Experience
- Minimum seven years of progressively responsible leadership and management experience within higher education, including significant experience in academic administration.
- Substantial experience working, teaching, or studying within, or in close partnership with, the U.S. higher education system, with demonstrated understanding of U.S. academic practices, policies, and expectations.
- Demonstrated experience leading and developing academic and/or professional teams.
- Significant experience developing and implementing academic or institutional strategy.
- Evidence of high-quality teaching, academic administration, curriculum development, and leadership appropriate to the seniority of the position.
- Evidence of research, scholarship, and/or relevant professional activity appropriate to the discipline and level of the role.
- Experience working effectively across different educational systems, cultures, and institutional contexts
Preferred Experience, Skills and Abilities
- Leadership experience within, or substantial professional engagement with, both U.S. and UK higher education environments.
- Experience with academic accreditation, quality assurance, regulatory, or institutional recognition processes, particularly with UK bodies such as the OfS or QAA.
- Experience leading significant organisational, academic, or cultural change.
- Experience developing international academic partnerships or cross-institutional programmes.
- Experience supporting the development of research activity, infrastructure, partnerships, or external research funding.
Additional Information
Candidates must have the unrestricted right to work and live in the UK prior to appointment.
Benefits: include: 28 days annual leave pro rata, USS pension scheme and private medical insurance (optional)
Candidates should advise of any reasonable adjustments needed to participate in the application and interview processes.
NYU London is an equal opportunity employer committed to equity, diversity and social inclusion.
NYU aims to be among the greenest urban campuses in the country and carbon neutral by 2040. Learn more at nyu.edu/nyugreen.
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