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Position Title: Dean, School of Business and Management
Position Tracking Number: A06
School/College: School of Business and Management
Location: Azusa, CA

For Applications and Nominations Contact: Jeff Davis, jeff@jdavisassociates.com, 714-420-5600.

Download Opportunity Profile

About APU:
APU is seeking employees who desire to engage in our thriving culture by cultivating community through professional interactions, demonstrating a posture of lifelong learning, and modeling Christ-like character. Working together, employees at APU commit to establishing a university atmosphere that is edifying to God and to one another.

Azusa Pacific University is a comprehensive, evangelical, Christian university located 26 miles northeast of Los Angeles, California. As a leading Christian university in California, Azusa Pacific University grounds rigorous academics on a solid spiritual foundation. With an intentional focus on scholarship, faith integration, diversity, and internationalization, APU provides high-quality academic programs within a tight-knit community of disciples and scholars. APU is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as an R2 Doctoral University, recognizing APU’s high level of research activity. A leader in the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, APU is committed to excellence in higher education. Offering more than 100 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs on campus, online, and at seven regional locations across Southern California, APU continues to be recognized annually as one of America’s Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report.

Position Description:
Azusa Pacific University seeks a dynamic, visionary leader to serve as the Dean of the School of Business and Management. In partnership with the Provost, faculty, and external stakeholders, the new dean will be responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, academic quality, and operational effectiveness of the school. Poised for growth and leveraging the well-funded Leung School of Accounting, the new dean will draw on existing strengths of the university and build collaborative partnerships with significant leaders across industries. APU's business programs are grounded in Christian values, integrating faith into leadership and management practices at the intersection of successful outcomes and ethical integrity. The new dean will guide the School of Business and Management to develop leaders with the character and competence to be world changers in today’s dynamic business landscapes.

Qualifications:
Academic Credentials

• An earned doctorate in business, technology, or a related field is required.
• A distinguished record of scholarly achievement that merits appointment as a full professor, with a strong emphasis on research or practice involving emerging technologies and innovative business models.

Leadership Experience

• A minimum of 10 years of academic leadership experience, demonstrating the ability to inspire and unite faculty, staff, and students, fostering a collaborative environment that encourages creativity and engagement.

Visionary Mindset

• Demonstrated ability to articulate a compelling vision for the future of business education in a technology-driven world and to drive transformative change within an academic institution committed to Christian values and principles.

Communication Skills

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and engage a diverse array of stakeholders.
• Approachable and open to feedback, fostering a culture of trust and respect among all academic community members.

Commitment to Innovation

• A proven track record of promoting innovation with strong capability of identifying emerging trends in education while adapting curriculum to incorporate advancing technology and new business models.

Diversity Advocacy

• Proven commitment to advancing support for students and faculty from diverse populations, and innovating strategies to foster a sense of belonging and inclusion among students from historically underrepresented groups.

Industry Connections

• Strong network and relationships with leaders in technology, innovation, and new business models, as well as traditional business sectors.

Workload: Full-time, 12 months.

Hire Date: July 1, 2025

Mental Demands:

• Ability to integrate Christian values in all aspects.
• Ability to engage in critical thinking and exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage confidential information.
• Self-starter in all aspects of the University's mission, with the ability to communicate effectively in written and oral form.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to stand, walk, and sit for extended periods of time.
• Visual acuity to read words and numbers.
• Sufficient hand, arm, and finger dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment.
• Speaking and hearing ability sufficient to communicate in person or over the telephone.
• Ability to exert up to 10 pounds of force and occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds.

Compensation:

• Grade 28: $172,105 to $190,000 is the annual salary for this role and reflects what Azusa Pacific University reasonably expects to pay for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on qualifications, experience, and internal equity. In addition to compensation, APU offers a competitive benefits package.

Anticipated Search Calendar:

It is anticipated that in-person/on-site interviews of the top candidates for Dean of the School of Business and Management will take place in spring 2025, with potential hire date July 1, 2025.

Search and Selection Process:
APU’s Provost/Chief Academic Officer is charged with vetting candidates for this position with assistance from and an internal Search Committee and the expertise of Jeff Davis of J. Davis &Associates. JDA will explore a broad network to suggest potential candidates. This thorough search will include consideration of applications and nominations, and the subsequent review of CVs. When appropriate, candidates will be asked to complete the APU employment application*, provide a thorough vocational history, respond to a questionnaire, and take part in a screening interview with Jeff Davis. Those forwarded for consideration will then be interviewed in person by the Search Committee. Next, references and backgrounds will be checked, degrees verified, and an extensive candidate profile will be prepared for the Committee and the Provost. When preferred candidates are identified, they will participate in a final interview with the Provost, as well as meet with members of the APU faculty, staff, and leadership team.

*Applicants must submit a completed Azusa Pacific University faculty employment application.

Contact: Jeff Davis, jeff@jdavisassociates.com, 714-420-5600.

Additional Information:
Candidates must align with Azusa Pacific University's Christian identity. Faculty members are expected to sign a Statement of Faith (available at http://www.apu.edu/about/believe), to adhere to the policies outlined in the Faculty Handbook, and to integrate the Christian faith in teaching and scholarship.

Azusa Pacific University is a Christ-centered, multicultural community that values and seeks faculty and staff who are committed to diversity, work effectively with diverse populations, and engage others in ways that honor our rich cultural mosaic and biblical foundation. Please click the links to learn more about 'what we believe', our 'mission statement', and our 'statement of faith'.

You can learn more about APU by watching the stories of faculty, staff, and alumni as they carry out our mission here: http://www.apu.edu/stories/

Azusa Pacific University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

Azusa Pacific University conducts background checks on all final candidates.

Required Skills

Required Experience

• Possesses critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Possesses effective oral and written communication skills.
• Possesses effective interpersonal relationship skills.
• Ability to utilize computers for documentation purposes.
• Technically competent in tasks within the scope of practice of a Registered Nurse.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Ability to read and comprehend English at a level necessary to follow written and oral instructions and safety precautions.