Executive Dean, Academic Operations

Salary: $113,258.00 - $152,885.00 Annually
Location : 700 W State Street, Milwaukee, WI
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-05702
Division: Academic Services
Department: Academic Affairs
Opening Date: 06/11/2026
Closing Date: 7/9/2026 10:00 PM Central


Description
Under the direction of the Executive Vice President and Provost, the Executive Dean, Academic Operations serves as a strategic and innovative leader responsible for advancing the systems, processes, and technologies that support academic excellence across Milwaukee Area Technical College. This role presents a unique opportunity to partner with faculty, deans, and key academic leaders to modernize operations, leverage emerging technologies, and strengthen institutional effectiveness in an increasingly AI-driven educational environment.

As MATC continues to grow and evolve, the Executive Dean leads efforts to design, implement, and continuously improve academic systems that enhance student success, instructional quality, operational efficiency, and data-informed decision making. The position fosters collaboration across Academic Affairs and the institution to ensure that technology, assessment, curriculum, scheduling, faculty workload management, and academic support processes are aligned with the College's strategic priorities and the future of teaching and learning.

The Executive Dean champions innovation and continuous improvement by encouraging exploration of new technologies, including artificial intelligence, automation, predictive analytics, and digital workflow solutions that enhance the student, faculty, and staff experience. Working closely with academic leadership, the position supports the development of responsive academic programs and operational practices that meet evolving workforce needs while maintaining a strong focus on student achievement, retention, and completion.

The position provides strategic leadership and oversight for Instructional Course, Program, and Institutional Assessment; Curriculum Management; Course and Room Scheduling; Academic Operations, including faculty workload administration, program review, and program vitality; and Study Abroad initiatives. Through these functions, the Executive Dean ensures the College maintains efficient, scalable, and student-centered academic systems capable of supporting future growth and innovation.

As a key member of the President's Cabinet, the Executive Dean collaborates with district-wide leaders, faculty, staff, and external partners to shape institutional strategy, improve cross-functional effectiveness, and advance a culture of inquiry, innovation, and continuous learning. The position is responsible for ensuring that departmental goals are achieved within established timelines and budgets, while maintaining compliance with applicable regulations and delivering exceptional service to students, faculty, and the broader college community.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: In collaboration with MATC leadership; leads, develops and implements a strategy and strategic initiatives to create a proactive culture of inclusiveness, positive student experiences, and student success that supports MATC's strategic plan. Proactively identifies and supports students at risk and works to increase student retention and student success.
• Curriculum Development and Staff Management : Provides Pathway leadership in the areas of program and curriculum development in collaboration with Pathway faculty and Program Advisory Committees, program improvement, and faculty development. Ensures the effectiveness of the district's development of new and modified curriculum, planning, and implementation. Reviews programs, certificates and courses for the Pathway to optimize growth in high demand areas. Modifies or deletes out-of-date programs and courses in collaboration with Pathway faculty and Program Advisory Committees of the Pathway based on the Program Review process. Coordinates with the Enrollment & Scheduling Office to approve the schedule of classes to be taught each term that fits in the general scheduling policy of the college, including the staffing of those classes and approving class cancellation decisions for the Pathway.
• Data Analysis and Reporting : Provide timely analysis and information for data driven decision making for enrollment management and retention and processes. Establishes, implements, and maintains ongoing evaluation to allow for effective measurement through comprehensive data-driven, research-based short and long-term plans designed to attract and support enrollment management from admission to student academic program completion.
• Regulation Accountability : Provides analysis of legislation and regulations related to accreditation. To ensure that all policies, practices and curriculum remain up to date and compliant.
• Communication, Publications, and Online Systems : Ensures quality, uniformity and compliance in all academic pathway materials, brochures, publications, catalogs, and websites.
• Budgeting & Fiscal Responsibility : Works with the leaders of the departments lead to manage the Pathway budget, including developing budget proposals, justifying expenses and monitoring accounts. Responsible for oversight of all equipment assigned to the Pathway and supervision of the expenditure of funds (e.g., approve equipment, supplies), including ensuring the upkeep/upgrade of the technical infrastructure, computers and equipment in Pathway classrooms, labs, and offices.
• Cross-Functional Relationships and Collaborative Teamwork : Establishes, maintains, and enhances positive work relationships with MATC staff, faculty, and administrators to further behaviors, attitudes, and policies that support positive student experiences and student success while building a welcoming and inclusive culture at MATC.
• Leadership and Supervision: Develops and manages high performing team highly skilled and motivated staff focused on the delivery of quality and value-added services and allocates cross-functional responsibilities and work processes. Responsibilities include hiring, coaching/mentoring, performance management, and progressive discipline as needed.
• Ethics and Confidentiality : Practices honesty by demonstrating a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles, values, truthfulness and accuracy in all actions. Addresses all student and employee behavior in a confidential and respectful manner.
• Continuous Learning & Professional Development: Maintains current knowledge of best practices and standards related to inclusiveness, positive student experiences, and student success in higher education. Actively organizes and/or participates in applicable workgroups, trainings, workshops, seminars, committed and professional associations or conferences to promote continuous learning.
• Other Duties: Performs other related duties within the scope of the position as required for the efficient operation of the division and to support institutional objectives.

Delegation of Work:

• Regularly assigns work to subordinate(s).
• Supervision Given:
  Supervises managerial, supervisory, and professional personnel. Provides recommendations on hiring new
  employees; on coaching and counseling; on training; and granting time off.

Qualifications


Compliance with all state, federal, and accreditation standards/requirements, as well as all MATC policies and procedures.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field. At least five (5) years of professional level vocational experience in academic affairs in a diverse multi-campus environment; prior experience in post-secondary vocational/technical education
• At least one year (2,000 hours) of paid non-educational work experience.
• Three (3) years of management or supervisory experience of professional staff.

Preferred Education & Experience:
Ph.D. in a related field and more than eight (8) years direct experience performing the responsibilities described in the job description.

Supplemental Information
Start Date: This position is available vacant and open to start immediately.


Hours: This position is full-time and works 40 hours (8am - 5:00pm) Monday - Friday. There may be the need to work additional hours per business needs. All work must be completed in the state of Wisconsin.


Salary: Salaries are listed up to the midpoint of the range and placement is determined based on years of experience, internal salary equity, and a review of the applicant's employment and educational background as listed on the job application.

Application Materials & Requirements: To be considered for this position, all applicants (both internal and external) must submit a thoroughly complete application.


Please follow these steps.

1. Complete the Employment Application in its Entirety

You must provide thorough and detailed information for all sections of the application form. An incomplete application will not be considered or reviewed.

2. Attach All Required Documents (At Time of Application)

• Cover Letter
• Resume

Interview: Note when interviews will be conducted) Virtual interviews will be scheduled within a few weeks of position closing date. Final candidates will be invited to participate in an onsite campus interview or forum (TBD). Travel expenses will be reimbursed by the college.


EEO: Milwaukee Area Technical College will not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, student, or applicant for admission on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, creed, religion, political affiliation, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, disability, age, membership in any reserve component of the armed forces, union affiliation, arrest and conviction record, or any other protected category under applicable local, state or federal law.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you have a disability and need special accommodation for the application process, please contact our office at View phone number on click.appcast.io (Wisconsin Relay System: 711) or email View email address on click.appcast.io.
Health Insurance

• MATC offers a choice between two medical insurance plans. See below for plan types:
  • Low Deductible PPO
  • High Deductible PPO
• Upon selection, the coverage begins the first of the month following start date. You will have 30 days from your start date to enroll.
• MATC contributes a generous percentage towards medical insurance premium.
• Both medical plans include prescription drug coverage at no additional cost to employees.
• Employees are offered an option to enroll in a Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) with the selection of the Low Deductible PPO plan.
• Employees are offered an option to enroll in a Health Savings Account (HSA) with the selection of the High Deductible PPO plan with employer contributions.

Dental Insurance

• MATC offers a group dental plan through Delta Dental.
• Upon selection, the dental insurance plan coverage begins the first of the month following start date.
• Annual maximum per covered person is $2,500; plan covers preventive, routine, restoration, and has an orthodontic benefit for dependents up to age 19.

Vision Insurance

• MATC offers a group vision plan through Superior Vision..Upon selection, the vision insurance plan coverage begins the first of the month following start date.
• Plan covers eye exam, frames, lenses and contact lenses.

Group Life Insurance

• MATC offers group term life insurance benefits through Madison National Life Insurance Company effective the first of the month of start date and is fully paid for by the College. The amount of insurance is based upon the employee's annual earnings rounded to the higher $1,000.00. The benefit is doubled in the event of accidental death.
• Supplemental Life Insurance is also available at group rates for employees, spouses, and dependents to purchase.

Long-Term Disability

• MATC offers long-term disability insurance through Madison National Life Company after 30 days of employment and is fully paid for by the College. Benefits provided are equal to 66 2/3% of base monthly earnings.

Flexible Spending Accounts

• MATC offers two types of Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA):
  • Health Care FSA
  • Dependent Care FSA
• This type of benefit allows employees to set aside pre-tax dollars per calendar year for a variety of medical, dental, and vision expenses (for a Health Care FSA) and for day care expenses for children under 13 or family members that are dependent on you for more than half their support (for a Dependent Care FSA) up to a maximum amount.

Retirement Savings

• Regular full-time employees of MATC who are hired for greater than 12 months become members of the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS)'s pension system as of day one of employment. The College currently pays the full cost of the employer contribution (6.9%), and the employee pays the full part of the employee contribution of 6.9% of salary. There is a five year vesting period requirement in order to qualify for any employer contributions made on the employee's behalf. Contribution rates are subject to change annually as set by the State.
• In addition to the WRS pension account, employees may enroll in other optional retirement savings plan such as a 403(b) account or a 457 account on a pre-tax or post-tax basis.

Sick Leave

• MATC offers employees a generous sick leave plan per year.
• Each employee may accumulate up to 165 days of full sick leave with an unlimited accumulation of half pay sick leave.

Vacation

• MATC offers a vacation policy to employees for the purpose of rest and relaxation.
• Vacation is earned at a generous rate each year of employment. (Not available for Instructors)

Paid & Flexible (Floating) Holidays

• MATC offers 12 paid holidays for non-Faculty positions and 7 paid holidays for Faculty positions.
• MATC provides two flexible (floating) holidays per employee per year. (Not available for Instructors).

Tuition Benefits:

• Employees are eligible for tuition reimbursement and waiver after completing probationary period.
• Amount allowed per fiscal year is 18 credits at MATC or $1,400 at other accredited institutions.

01


Do you have a Master's degree or higher in a related field?

• Yes
• No

02


Do you have a minimum of five (5) years of professional level vocational experience in academic affairs in a diverse multi-campus environment; prior experience in post-secondary vocational/technical education?

• Yes
• No

03


Do you have a minimum of one year (2,000 hours) of paid non-educational work experience?

• Yes
• No

04


Do you have a minimum of three (3) years of management or supervisory experience of professional staff?

• Yes
• No

05


Please provide your ideal salary range, do not type N/A or negotiable.
Required Question