Dean of Jefferson College of Humanities and Sciences, Thomas Jefferson university

Job Details

The Opportunity:
Thomas Jefferson University (TJU) seeks an innovative, collaborative, and visionary leader to serve as Dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences. The Dean will provide strategic and academic leadership for one of the nation’s most respected institutions. This individual will champion the College's commitment to excellence in the liberal arts, psychology, mathematics, the sciences, and research while cultivating a collaborative culture that promotes innovation and engagement across the University.

The College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS) at Thomas Jefferson University focuses on human social interactions and relationships and is committed to making change in the world by combining evidence-based analysis with passionate engagement. It offers both major programs and the Hallmarks Program for General Education. Programs include Psychology, Law & Society, Communication & Media Studies, Biopsychology, and Interdisciplinary Studies. The Hallmarks Program recently received the 2026 Exemplary Program Award by the Association of General & Liberal Studies.

Founded in 1824, TJU is a nationally ranked research doctoral university, celebrating two centuries of excellence in higher education, healthcare, and commitment to our community. Nationally recognized for its transdisciplinary collaboration and interprofessional approach to educating its 8,300 students, the University is comprised of 11 colleges and 1 school. As a professions-focused university, TJU prepares students with a forward-thinking and experiential approach to education that blends collaborative real-world learning, industry engagement, and innovation.

Reporting to the Provost and Chief Academic Officer for the University, the next Dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences will foster community, continuous learning, and a growth mindset for a diverse faculty. The Dean will be an advocate for education and research and will enhance the visibility of the College, both internally and externally.

Job Description

Dean of Jefferson College of Humanities and Sciences (JCHS)

The Dean is the chief academic and administrative officer of the College of and reports directly to the Provost & Chief Academic Officer of Thomas Jefferson University. The Dean provides strategic academic leadership and operational oversight for the College and is responsible for its academic quality, financial sustainability, research enterprise, faculty success, student outcomes, fundraising, alumni engagement, and external partnerships.

The Dean plays a critical role in advancing the University’s mission and strategic plan by advancing academic excellence, research, innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, inclusive excellence, and student success.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Academic Leadership & College Governance

• Provide strategic direction and oversight for all academic programs within the College, ensuring excellence in teaching, research, and student outcomes.
• Lead and model the following endeavors outlined in the College’s goals:
  • Support disciplinary, multi-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary research (that may fall under basic, applied, clinical, translational categories, or that may transcend these categories, but that falls into the purview of the humanities and sciences disciplines represented by the college) by both faculty and students.
  • Create a culture that encourages innovative pedagogy and values the scholarship of teaching within or across the disciplines.
  • Sustain community-oriented research and pedagogy that applies the habits of mind and skills embedded in the liberal arts and sciences to address real-world problems and advocate for social and environmental justice.
  • Educate students for global citizenship and professional leadership who are prepared for both the challenges and opportunities of global twenty-first century professions.
• Maintain an engaged, connected, and supportive academic environment. Communicate direction clearly, generate support during times of change, and provide regular feedback to faculty and staff, including recognition, coaching, and counseling.
• Promote faculty wellness initiatives in collaboration with TJU’s Office of Faculty Affairs.
• Foster a cohesive and collaborative leadership culture that supports integrity and inclusive excellence. Conduct annual performance reviews, establish and communicate expectations and goals, and nurture leadership development aligned with a formal succession plan to prepare the next generation of academic leaders.

Faculty Recruitment, Development & Scholarship

• Recruit, mentor, and support a diverse, accomplished, and forward-thinking faculty engaged in teaching excellence and scholarship.
• In consultation with program directors and associate deans, facilitate faculty mentorship and development programs that support academic achievement, career advancement, promotion, and tenure, recognizing excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, and service.
• Serve as the primary point of contact with TJU’s Office of Faculty Affairs regarding faculty appointments and promotions, in consultation with the Committee on Faculty Affairs.
• Champion faculty research, scholarship, and creative activity, including interdisciplinary and applied research initiatives that position the College as a leader. Promote visibility of research outcomes, publications, presentations, and external funding success.

Academic Programs, Student Success & Innovation

• Promote a student-centered, inclusive, and dynamic learning environment that supports student engagement, creativity, professional preparation, and lifelong learning.
• Work alongside program directors to ensure academic programs are current. Lead continuous evaluation of program effectiveness, and student learning outcomes in collaboration with the Committee on Academic Outcomes and Assessment.
• Champion innovative curriculum design and delivery by integrating experiential learning and applied research to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and adaptability needed to thrive in the future.
• Ensure enrollment management strategies align with the College’s mission and student success goals, supporting recruitment, retention, persistence, and timely degree completion.

Research, Innovation & Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Advance a culture of interdisciplinary and applied research, fostering collaboration across departments, colleges, and research centers within Thomas Jefferson University.
• Partner with other colleges and academic units to develop interdisciplinary programs, shared research initiatives, and collaborative educational experiences that advance institutional priorities and strengthen the University’s academic profile.
• Support innovation in research that enhances the College’s regional, national, and global reputation.

Operational Management & Integrated Planning

• Identify the College’s strategic and operational imperatives in consultation with the Provost and Senior Vice President of Finance, and lead the development, implementation, and assessment of a comprehensive strategic and operational plan.
• Oversee budgets, accreditation, assessment, and resource allocation, ensuring responsible financial stewardship and alignment with TJU’s mission-based budgeting framework.
• Lead the annual budget process, assess financial performance of academic programs, and ensure allowable expenditures are appropriately allocated. Maintain strong management discipline and accountability for performance, including enrollment efficiency, retention, application pipelines, and financial sustainability.
• Ensure the College remains financially self-supported through responsible oversight of revenue-generating programs and initiatives.

Fundraising, Alumni & External Relations

• Lead fundraising and external relations efforts to enhance academic programs, facilities, research, and student opportunities.
• Collaborate with TJU’s Office of Institutional Advancement to develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising and development strategy. Cultivate and steward relationships with alumni, donors, corporate partners, foundations, and industry leaders.
• Develop and direct alumni engagement initiatives that strengthen lifelong connections to the College and support philanthropy and mentorship.
• Serve as an advocate and thought leader for professional and academic education at the local, state, and national levels.

University Leadership & Service

• As one of the College’s academic officers, carry out administrative policies and procedures in accordance with the Bylaws of Thomas Jefferson University.
• Represent the College on the Provost’s Council of Deans, Shared Governance Committee, and other University-level committees as requested by the Provost, President, or Board of Trustees.
• Contribute actively to University-wide strategic initiatives, institutional collaboration, and mission advancement.

Qualifications:

The successful candidate will be a collaborative, visionary academic leader with a distinguished record of accomplishment in higher education, strong operational and financial acumen, and the ability to advance academic excellence, innovation, and external engagement in a complex university environment.

Education:

• Doctoral degree required; terminal degree strongly preferred.

Experience:

• Proven record of senior leadership in higher education, preferably in liberal arts, psychology, math, or related fields with an outstanding record of academic accomplishment in teaching and scholarship.
• Extensive executive and operational experience within complex academic organizations, including financial and budget management, strategic and operational planning, resource allocation, personnel management, and faculty recruitment. Experience in a senior academic leadership role such as Dean, Associate Dean, Department Chair, or Center Director is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in leading transformational organizational change, operationalizing strategic plans, and achieving academic, business, and financial objectives, including building effective and responsive leadership and operational teams.
• Demonstrated success in teaching, research, and fundraising, with experience or demonstrated potential in philanthropic cultivation and alumni engagement and stewardship.
• Experience fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, interprofessional education and practice, and cross-college partnerships that advance institutional priorities and student success.
• A successful track record of leadership in complex, collaborative environments, with the ability to build and sustain high-impact partnerships with faculty, students, alumni, and donors.

Skills and Attributes:

• Strategic and visionary thinker with the ability to lead through influence, inspiration, and consensus-building.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders and represent the College effectively to internal and external audiences.
• Deep commitment to student-centered education, inclusive excellence, and academic environments that welcome individuals of diverse backgrounds and perspectives while promoting their full development.

Procedure for Candidacy:

For full consideration, applicants should submit a Statement of Interest and detailed curriculum vitae to Augustine Giradinelli at Augustine.Giardinelli@jefferson.edu by October 11, 2026. Confidential inquiries, expressions of interest, and nominations can be submitted to the same address. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Work Shift

Workday Day (United States of America)

Worker Sub Type

Regular

Employee Entity

Philadelphia University

Primary Location Address

3243 School House Lane, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Nationally ranked, Jefferson, which is principally located in the greater Philadelphia region, Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, is reimagining health care and higher education to create unparalleled value. Jefferson is more than 65,000 people strong, dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients; making our communities healthier and stronger; preparing tomorrow's professional leaders for 21st-century careers; and creating new knowledge through basic/programmatic, clinical and applied research. Thomas Jefferson University, home of Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Jefferson College of Nursing, and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, dates back to 1824 and today comprises 10 colleges and three schools offering 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 8,300 students. Jefferson Health, nationally ranked as one of the top 15 not-for-profit health care systems in the country and the largest provider in the Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley areas, serves patients through millions of encounters each year at 32 hospitals campuses and more than 700 outpatient and urgent care locations throughout the region. Jefferson Health Plans is a not-for-profit managed health care organization providing a broad range of health coverage options in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for more than 35 years.    

Jefferson is committed to providing equal educa­tional and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, race, color, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, military status, veteran status, handicap or disability or any other protected group or status. 

Benefits

Jefferson offers a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time colleagues, including medical (including prescription), supplemental insurance, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, retirement plans, tuition assistance, as well as voluntary benefits, which provide colleagues with access to group rates on insurance and discounts. Colleagues have access to tuition discounts at Thomas Jefferson University after one year of full time service or two years of part time service. All colleagues, including those who work less than part-time (including per diem colleagues, adjunct faculty, and Jeff Temps), have access to medical (including prescription) insurance.

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