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Job Summary

*All applicants must apply via the search firm. Please see Application Procedure section.*

San José State University is seeking an innovative and visionary leader to serve as Dean of the College of Science. Reporting to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean will provide strategic leadership for the college’s academic programs, faculty, staff, students, research enterprise, and administrative operations. The College of Science is committed to academic excellence, student success, innovative research, inclusive excellence, and strong partnerships throughout Silicon Valley and beyond. The Dean will work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, university leadership, alumni, industry partners, government agencies, and community organizations to advance the college and university missions.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide visionary leadership for the College of Science and guide strategic planning, academic governance, accreditation, assessment, and continuous improvement
• Lead efforts to enhance student success, retention, graduation rates, inclusive excellence, innovative teaching, experiential learning, and career outcomes
• Oversee the recruitment, retention, development, evaluation, and support of faculty, staff, and administrators while fostering a respectful and collaborative academic community.
• Manage the college’s budget, enrollment practices, facilities, personnel, and other resources while ensuring their strategic, equitable, and effective allocation
• Strengthen external partnerships and advancement efforts with alumni, industry, government, foundations, donors, and community organizations to support research, programs, and college priorities

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner
• Demonstrated knowledge of, or the ability to develop proficiency in, emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), within a higher education and public-sector environment. Ability to evaluate and advance appropriate applications that support institutional effectiveness, student success, and operational excellence.
• Demonstrated ability to promote the responsible, ethical, and equitable use of AI and related technologies, including awareness of data privacy, bias mitigation, accessibility, and compliance considerations
• Ability to lead and support a culture of continuous improvement and innovation by guiding teams in the effective adoption and integration of emerging technologies across programs, services, and operations
• Ability to be an innovative, visionary, and entrepreneurial leader, with high personal integrity
• Ability to effectively represent the College and/or University concerning critical or politically sensitive matters
• Ability to work collegially with university leadership and the College of Health and Human Sciences faculty and staff within a shared governance structure
• Demonstrated, specific experience in providing energetic, effective, and visionary leadership to a diverse college community
• Record of accomplishment promoting academic excellence and innovation to improve student and faculty success
• Demonstrate forward-looking and innovative academic initiatives and provide assistance for faculty and staff to carry them to successful completion in a complex collaborative environment
• Ability to effectively lead a management team and demonstrate a style of open communication and transparent decision-making
• Commitment to supporting diversity efforts for faculty, students, and staff
• Ability to provide resources and inspiration to support basic and applied research
• Ability to attract, seek out, and generate external resources, and ability to fundraise effectively
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and ability to build relationships with the community, public, private, and/or government organizations.
• Exemplary quantitative, analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills
• Knowledge and understanding of national and disciplinary trends, including accreditation standards
• Strong skills in academic planning, administration, budgeting, and personnel management

Required Qualifications

• A terminal degree in a discipline represented by the college's academic programs or equivalent experience
• Demonstrated record of teaching, research, service, and/or experience meriting appointment as a tenured professor in the college

Preferred Qualifications

• Leadership experience at the department chair, director, associate dean, or dean level, with accreditation and/or experience working in a collective bargaining environment.

Compensation

Classification: Administrator IV         
Anticipated Hiring Range: $22,917/month - $25,417/month
CSU Salary Range: $10,106/month - $32,441/month

The final hiring salary will be commensurate with experience.

San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary.

Application Procedure

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile.

WittKieffer is assisting San José State University in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by January 15, 2027.

Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal.

Contact Information

Nominations and Inquires can be directed to: Zach Smith, Ph.D., Alejandra Gillette-Teran, and Sarah Seavey.

WittKieffer
SJSU-ScienceDean@wittkieffer.com

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to jobs@sjsu.edu.

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.

The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment, and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third-party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.

SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

All San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification: 

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San José State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University is an equal opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as university programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus). Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.