DEAN, SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

The University of Connecticut (UConn), one of the nation’s leading public research universities, seeks a visionary and dynamic leader to serve as Dean of the School of Business. The successful candidate will be a collaborative and forward-thinking leader with the leadership, management, fundraising, and scholarly abilities necessary to succeed as the Dean of the School of Business.

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. The University is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes seven campuses across the state: Avery Point, Hartford, Stamford, Storrs, and Waterbury, the Law School in Hartford, and UConn Health in Farmington. UConn has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including more than 24,000 undergraduates and nearly 8,000 graduate and professional students. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.

The Dean will be the School’s public voice, promoting initiatives within UConn and across the state and articulating the School’s contributions at the local, state, regional, national, and international levels. Working collaboratively with all stakeholders in the university community, the Dean will support excellence and creativity in teaching, research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and service while fostering activities that improve the retention, achievement, entrepreneurship, and timely graduation of students. Additionally, the Dean will work with external sponsors, funding agencies, and industry and community leaders to develop research and educational partnerships that contribute to the economic vitality of the state and nation. The Dean will effectively steward the School’s and University’s resources, overseeing the management of budgets, endowments, space, and personnel. In pursuing these responsibilities, the Dean, who reports to the Provost, will work collaboratively with the University’s senior leadership as well as the School’s faculty and staff.

The successful candidate will be a nationally recognized, innovative leader prepared to advance the initiatives and priorities contained in the University’s strategic plan and able to inspire and engage the School of Business community, including faculty, students, staff, alumni, and supporters. The successful candidate will be expected to broaden participation among members of under-represented groups and advance the School’s national and international reputation as demonstrated through improved rankings, successful fundraising, community engagement, and faculty and student achievement. In addition, the ideal candidate will be dedicated to collaborative governance, will possess a leadership style that values excellence and differences in opinions and experiences, will be a skilled administrator capable of building strong working relationships, and will be able to imagine new possibilities for the School.

Minimum Qualifications

• Credentials that merit appointment for a tenure-track academic appointment at the rank of Professor or a current appointment at UConn at the rank of Professor in one of UConn’s schools and colleges, including a doctoral degree or other terminal degree in a field relevant to leadership in academic affairs and the school. Equivalent foreign degrees are acceptable.
• Demonstrated visionary leadership with a proven track record of successful administrative leadership.
• Progressively responsible leadership experience at a higher education institution, demonstrating knowledge of core management functions, experience with managing strategic priorities, and understanding and embracing University policies, guidance, best practices, and procedures.
• Success in building and executing a strategic and fiscally sound academic budget.
• Solid track record in meeting a university mission with respect to enrollment, graduation, research, innovation, and fundraising.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background and experience pertinent to the unique programs and setting of the School, including a clear understanding of the academic vision of the university, the land-grant mission of the University, and the School’s goals and opportunities to deliver quality undergraduate and graduate education.
• Professional experience in or with business or industry outside higher education, including: demonstrated responsibility for organizational growth, innovation, financial performance, or the development of new markets, products, or revenue streams; or significant partnerships resulting in increased student engagement and placement, new research, or adoption of technology.
• Proven business and political acumen commensurate with the leadership needs of the School of Business, including the ability to navigate the organizational, political, and fiscal realities unique to a major public research university; demonstrable experience applying sound judgment; and an ability to manage change, resolve conflict, and build consensus.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to develop, engage, and maintain constructive and professional relationships with senior administrators, faculty, staff, students, and other individuals and organizations.
• A collaborative and collegial approach toward fostering partnerships within the School of Business and academic units across the University.
• Demonstrated commitment to increasing a sense of belonging for all members of the school, including assessing needs, developing initiatives, and applying best practices.
• Demonstrated understanding of the Dean’s role as chief fundraiser for the School of Business and the skillsets needed to form and maintain partnerships with donors and alumni.
• Varied and extensive success in securing extramural funding from state and federal agencies or foundations.

• Demonstrated record of academic leadership that advances excellence across the School’s core missions of research, teaching, student success, external engagement, and societal impact, including the ability to recruit, develop, and retain outstanding faculty and staff.
• Knowledge of AACSB accreditation standards and experience with accreditation, continuous improvement, assurance of learning, faculty sufficiency and qualifications, and strategic planning within an AACSB-accredited business school.
• Demonstrated success in supporting externally funded research and building institutional capacity to secure funding from federal and state agencies, foundations, corporations, and other external partners.
• Experience managing complex budgets and allocating resources across multiple entities.

• Demonstrated ability to analyze, understand, and interpret complex situations and problems, evaluate options, devise and propose solutions that align resources with goals, implement plans, and measure outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in a diverse organization. Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to effectively communicate needs, plans, and programs.
• Experience as an agent of innovation and change, achieving excellence across a complex organization, including setting ambitious performance goals, holding units accountable for results, and measurable outcomes to assess progress.
• Demonstrated ability to work collegially and cooperatively on partnership initiatives with other schools and colleges, with the upper administration, and with external partners.

Additional information regarding this opportunity can be found at: https://dsgco.com/search/21820-uconnbusdean

Appointment Terms
This is a full-time, 12-month, management-exempt position with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2027. The successful candidate may be considered for a 9-month, tenure-track academic appointment in one of the University’s schools/colleges.

This is a full-time position that will be performed on-site in Connecticut. Salary commensurate with experience, with a generous benefits package.

Application Information
The University of Connecticut has retained the services of the executive search firm DSG – Storbeck to conduct this important search. All inquiries, nominations/referrals, and applications will be held in the strictest confidence and should be submitted to UConnBusinessDean@dsgco.com

A complete application will include:

• A cover letter, articulating interest and responding to the position challenges and objectives outlined above.
• Curriculum vitae
• Names and contact information for 3-4 professional references.

Applications will be accepted until a Dean is selected. For guaranteed consideration, candidates should submit materials through the Talent Profile by December 7, 2026.

Tom Fitch, Managing Director
Brian Bustin, Senior Associate
Storbeck Search
UConnBusinessDean@dsgco.com

For more information regarding the School of Business, please visit the website: https://www.business.uconn.edu/

This job will be filled subject to budgetary approval.

Terms and Conditions of Employment
Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check. All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics, which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

 The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.