Dean, College of Arts and Sciences

Overview

California Lutheran University (Cal Lutheran) seeks an experienced, inclusive, and collaborative leader to serve as its next Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (COAS).

Located in Thousand Oaks, California, Cal Lutheran was founded in 1959 and is recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution since 2016. The University serves 2,297 undergraduate and 1,054 graduate students from 67 countries with a commitment to a diverse, student-centered liberal arts education. COAS is the largest academic unit and provides the historical and intellectual foundation of undergraduate education, emphasizing inquiry, self-discovery, and global engagement within the Lutheran tradition.

The next Dean will lead COAS into a new era of innovation and growth, support faculty achievement, elevate student success, build campus-wide collaborations, and provide modern, transparent, and effective leadership for the College.

Basic Function

Reporting directly to the Provost, the Dean provides leadership to ensure the quality of the faculty and programs. The Dean is responsible for strategic planning and budgeting; faculty and staff recruitment, development, and evaluation; program review; fundraising; and accreditation. The Dean is a public advocate for the College/School and works to actively support university-wide initiatives to strengthen teaching and scholarship.

Representative Duties

• Provide executive leadership for the ongoing day-to-day operations of the College/School.
• Oversee regular assessment of all programs.
• Conduct performance evaluations of faculty and prepare reviews for the Appointment, Rank, and Tenure Committee.
• Oversee the scheduling of classes.
• Provide leadership for all search committees in the College.
• Collaborate closely with University Advancement to cultivate relationships with donors, alumni, foundations, and community partners in support of the University’s mission and COAS priorities.
• Identify and develop opportunities for partnerships, philanthropy, and pathways for students aligned with academic priorities.
• Serve as a visible and engaged ambassador in the community and in professional organizations to represent the University.
• Support the development and execution of fundraising strategies that enhance visibility and attract resources.
• Supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff; interview and select employees and recommend transfers, reassignment, termination and disciplinary actions; plan, coordinate and arrange for appropriate training of subordinates.
• Work with the Center for Teaching and Learning to provide faculty development opportunities.
• Direct the preparation and maintenance of a variety of narrative and statistical reports, records and files related to assigned activities.
• Develop and prepare the preliminary budget; analyze and review budgetary and financial data; control and authorize expenditures in accordance with established limitations; manage College/School resources to meet revenue targets.
• Communicate with other University personnel to coordinate activities and programs, resolve issues and conflicts, and exchange information.
• Represent the College/School with the community outside the university.
• Collaborate with Admissions and Marketing on student recruitment efforts.
• Attend a variety of meetings including committee, staff and Senior Management‑level meetings as assigned.
• Ensure that the College/School meets the standards of appropriate accrediting bodies.
• Hold regular College/School meetings and organize committees and work groups to accomplish strategic goals.
• Facilitate problem solving for student, staff, or faculty concerns.
• Advocate for personnel and resource needs for the College/School.
• Represent the College/School in meetings called by university officials, state agencies, commissions, and professional associations.
• Additional duties as assigned by the Provost.

Knowledge Of

• Mission, vision, identity and goals of California Lutheran University
• University rules, regulations, policies and procedures
• Group facilitation and collegial team building
• Managerial accounting or budget preparation and control
• Strategic planning techniques
• Public speaking skills
• Principles and practices of administration, supervision and training
• Relevant computer software and technology such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint

Ability To

• Communicate both in writing and verbally to engage with diverse constituencies.
• Be creative, analytical, innovative, pragmatic, and committed to the mission and identity of Cal Lutheran.
• Demonstrate a commitment to dialogue and engagement.
• Demonstrate leadership ability and management experience that includes supervision of personnel and budgetary responsibility.
• Work collegially with senior administration.
• Make excellent decisions and have an empowering attitude.
• Foster collaboration, innovation and creativity in alignment with the university’s strategic plan.
• Distill ideas, clarify issues, and move projects to successful conclusions with sensitivity and diplomacy.
• Be an active listener who can also think quickly under pressure; be an open, communicative, and confident professional.
• Promote the institution and/or other campus constituents.
• Work with persons at all levels of the University and foster dynamic relationships with external constituencies and stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications

An earned doctorate (or equivalent terminal degree) in a field of study pertinent to Cal Lutheran’s programs in the specified College/School, and evidence of excellence as a scholar-practitioner in a regular faculty appointment. These credentials taken together should constitute those appropriate to appointment as an associate or full professor with tenure at Cal Lutheran.

Preferred Qualifications

Licenses and other requirements

N.A.

Physical Abilities

Detect to understand appropriate written correspondence; communicate clearly to exchange information in person and via the telephone or video; operate a computer and other office productivity machinery; stationary position for extended periods of time; move or transport light objects; position self to store and/or retrieve files. Indoor and public engagement environment; subject to driving to conduct work. Hours include evenings and weekends for events.

Hiring Range

Hiring Range $200,000-$225,000

Posting Information

Posting Number Staff

Dates

Desired Start Date 06/01/2026
Open Date 09/08/2025
Close Date 11/13/2025
Open Until Filled No

Application Procedure

Applicants should fill out the online application and submit, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile to for consideration.

WittKieffer is assisting California Lutheran University in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by November 13, 2025.

Equal Opportunity

California Lutheran University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations in the application process can be provided upon request. Please contact the Human Resources Department for information or to request an accommodation.