Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs

Department: College of Science

Classification: Administrative Faculty

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

George Mason University College of Science (Mason Science) is committed to advancing inclusive excellence and fostering an environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation throughout our STEM community. At Mason Science, our values include cultivating an organizational culture that promotes belonging, respect, and civility. We believe that varied opinions, cultures, and perspectives are what provides vibrancy, innovation, and growth to an academic community. By prioritizing cultural responsiveness in academics, teaching, research, and global engagement, we strive to attract faculty and staff who exemplify the Mason Science mission and vision.

About the Position:

The Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs provides leadership, oversight, and strategic direction for matters related to faculty within the College of Science, including recruitment, appointment, promotion and tenure, professional development, mentoring, evaluation, and faculty success initiatives.

Responsibilities:

Faculty Development and Mentoring:

• Connects faculty with local, national, and international enterprises to foster research and educational initiatives;
• Develops and manages faculty mentor programs. Pairs junior faculty with senior peers and outside mentors. Organizes professional development activities, including workshops, seminars, and retreats focused on pedagogy, grant writing, publishing, and leadership skills;
• Promotes faculty success and recognition by identifying opportunities for awards, prizes, and recognitions (both internal and external). Monitors and supports scholarly productivity, including publications and grants, and leverages data to help faculty identify areas for improvement and growth.

Promotion, Tenure, and Merit Review Processes:

• Oversees and coordinates promotion and tenure (P&T) processes, as well as annual, merit review cycles, ensuring transparency, fairness, and consistency in review criteria and procedures;
• Supports department chairs and faculty in preparing P&T dossiers. Addresses cases involving performance concerns and probationary issues; and
• Conducts annual training on P&T dossier preparation for department heads, administrative support, unit P&T committees, and faculty interested in promotion.

Policy, Governance, and Compliance:

• Interprets and implements personnel policies to ensure alignment with institutional standards;
• Ensures faculty compliance with university, accreditation, and legal requirements;
• Establishes systems and timelines for reviews, promotions, and credentialing processes;
• Manages budgets related to faculty affairs, holding signature budget authority to approve and commit funds;
• Provides guidance and assistance on faculty relations matters, including grievances, disagreements, and development opportunities; and
• Coordinates with George Mason University offices and key collaborators on faculty relations.

Collaboration with Other Units:

• Partners with central Faculty Affairs, the Provost's Office, Human Resources Department, and Teaching & Learning Centers to align faculty initiatives with institutional priorities;
• Liaises with research support offices to facilitate faculty engagement in research activities;
• Maintains effective communication channels to keep faculty informed about deadlines, criteria, and best practices;
• Collaborates as an active member of the College of Science (COS) dean's leadership team, contributing to the development and implementation of college and university strategic plans;
• Leads efforts related to faculty affairs and occasionally supports strategic initiatives outside of this focus area. Maintains an understanding of education, outreach, and research programs as they apply to faculty;
• Makes timely decisions within established policies and procedures to implement COS philosophy, policy plans, and resource allocation; and
• Shares responsibility with the leadership team for delivering the College's mission.

Recruitment, Hiring, Onboarding, and Retention:

• Leads or supports faculty searches by attracting broad and diverse applicant pools and overseeing the search process to ensure compliance;
• Facilitates onboarding for new faculty through orientation, early support, and clear communication of expectations; and
• Implements retention strategies, including recognition of achievements and defining career pathways for faculty growth and development.

Required Qualifications:

• Terminal degree in a related field;
• Demonstrated record of scholarly/research achievement, teaching, and service commensurate with appointment at the rank of Associate Professor with tenure;
• Responsible academic administrative experience (e.g., department chair, program manager/director, center director, associate dean, or equivalent), typically obtained in two or more years;
• Experience in mentoring faculty and supervising faculty development programs;
• Comprehensive knowledge of faculty lifecycle processes such as renewal, reappointment, promotion, and tenure;
• Knowledge of shared governance principles, faculty governance structures, and bylaws;
• Understanding of budgetary principles and resource allocation related to faculty affairs;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and uphold high ethical standards;
• Ability to mentor and guide faculty, department chairs, and academic leaders in navigating faculty career progression;
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills to work collaboratively and effectively with faculty, staff, and administrators;
• Ability to foster the environment conducive to all faculty;
• Ability to use metrics or analytics and skill in data-driven decision-making;
• Vision for faculty success, including understanding of latest pedagogical practices, research support, strategic planning, and the ability to lead change; and
• Demonstrated commitment to faculty success initiatives including those designed to improve outcomes for faculty.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience leading academic and/or administrative initiatives;
• Experience developing creative and effective methods in building strong faculty programs and in ensuring broader impacts of faculty development;
• Outstanding record of accomplishment in higher education or other professional endeavors involving leadership experience in faculty success initiatives including those designed to improve outcomes for faculty;
• Experience managing a budget for faculty initiatives;
• Record of scholarly achievement, teaching, and service commensurate with appointment at the rank of Full Professor with tenure; and
• Considerable responsible administrative experience (e.g., department chair, program manager/director, center director, associate dean, or equivalent), typically obtained in three or more years.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs at Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and CV for review.

Posting Open Date: January 22, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: February 26, 2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer