Dean of Academic Excellence & Effectiveness

The Position

Title:                        Dean of Academic Excellence & Effectiveness

Position Type:         Full-time

Requisition No:       27008

Category :              Administration

Supervisor :           VP of Learning and Instruction

Last Updated :       July 2026

Job Purpose :        This position leads Calbright's academic excellence and effectiveness agenda, advancing a

                                culture of continuous improvement, evidence-based practice, and accreditation integrity, while

                                helping drive cross-divisional systems, quality standards, and project management infrastructure

                                that support equitable student access, success, outcomes, and institutional growth.

Location:                   Remote, various locations throughout California

Salary Range:         The beginning salary range for this position is Range M-21, (Steps 1-3) $159,314.04- $175,673.59.    

**The first review of the application shall occur approximately on 10/12/2026**

Position Overview 

The Dean of Academic Excellence & Effectiveness serves as an institutional leader and executive partner at Calbright College, providing strategic counsel and cross-functional guidance across program quality, institutional effectiveness, operations, accreditation, and college-wide initiatives. Working in close partnership with the VP of Learning and Instruction and the senior leadership team, the Dean plays a pivotal role in strengthening the quality and integrity of Calbright's academic programs and advancing a culture of evidence-based practice, continuous improvement, and equitable student success. The Dean serves as the College's primary Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO) and works cross-functionally to strengthen institutional policies, procedures, and systems in alignment with accreditation standards, supporting all academic and non-academic functions in advancing Calbright's mission and growth. Success in this role requires a collaborative leader who is committed to evidence-based practice, equity, academic excellence, and the Calbright mission. 

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

The duties below are representative of the role and are not intended to cover all of the duties performed within the scope of work. 

Academic Quality and Effectiveness

• Lead the College's academic program review cycle, guiding frameworks, timelines, and evidence-based program evaluation processes that drive continuous improvement.
• Support the development, assessment, and revision of programs, advising on alignment with quality standards, accreditation needs, strategic priorities, and student success goals.
• Provide strategic guidance on program optimization and processes, including program-level data analysis and evidence-based improvement recommendations across academic and non-academic units.
• Collaborate with administration and cross-divisional teams to support operational systems, workflows, and reporting infrastructure that advance College effectiveness and embed data-informed decision-making at all levels.
• Provide leadership and oversight of the College's industry Advisory Councils, guiding effective council governance, engagement, and cross-functional coordination, and collaborating with academic leaders to translate council input into actionable program improvements and workforce relevance. 

Strategic Initiatives & Operations

• Provide support, as needed, to the President and the senior leadership team on relevant institutional priorities, goals, organizational effectiveness, and emerging opportunities.
• Support and facilitate institution-wide strategic initiatives, including organizational development, technology, culture and engagement efforts, effectiveness projects, and cross-divisional priorities aligned with the College's mission and strategic plan.
• Guide and support the College's external advisory council engagement, helping advance industry alignment, employer partnerships, and program relevance across Calbright's workforce-focused portfolio.
• Provide strategic planning, analysis, and advisory support to the VP of Learning and Instruction and senior leadership team, informing institutional priorities, goal-setting processes, and policy development.
• Represent the College's effectiveness, quality, and innovation agenda externally where appropriate. 

Project Management and Organizational Effectiveness

• Provide leadership and oversight of L&I project managers and cross-functional project teams responsible for strategic and operational initiatives.
• Establish project management standards, implementation timelines, and reporting processes to support successful project execution.
• Monitor progress toward L&I goals, key performance indicators, and operational priorities, providing regular updates and recommendations to the VP.
• Support the development of project evaluation processes that measure effectiveness, outcomes, and organizational impact.

Accreditation Leadership 

• Serve as the College's primary Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO), maintaining effective communication and a productive institutional relationship with all accrediting agencies.
• Guide and coordinate all accreditation cycles, including preparation of self-study evaluations, substantive and non-substantive change requests, program approvals, site visit coordination, and required follow-up reports.
• Maintain current knowledge of evolving accreditation standards and regulations, advising team members on required institutional adjustments and strategic responses.
• Help design and support internal review processes and cross-functional action plans that ensure ongoing standards compliance and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Collaborate on the development and facilitation of professional development for faculty and staff on accreditation standards, processes, and institutional expectations. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong leadership, management, and organizational skills.
• Strategic thinking and systems-level problem-solving, with a focus on continuous improvement, operational excellence, and equity-centered practice.
• Knowledge of accreditation standards, institutional effectiveness practices, and continuous improvement frameworks in higher education.
• Knowledge of higher education, curriculum development, instructional strategies, and/or assessment practices.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives amid competing priorities, with strong project management, implementation planning, and stakeholder coordination skills.
• Knowledge of workforce development, labor market alignment, and/or employer engagement strategies.
• Experience facilitating advisory groups, committees, councils, or stakeholder engagement processes.
• Ability to analyze data, synthesize findings, prepare reports, and present actionable recommendations clearly and effectively.
• Proficiency in using technology for data management, reporting, and communication.
• Demonstrated understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socio-economic, ethnic, religious, cultural backgrounds, disability, and sexual orientation of community college students, staff, and faculty.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in education, administration, policy, or a related field.
• At least five years of experience in higher education administration, with demonstrated leadership in institutional effectiveness, accreditation, academic quality, and/or strategic initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience leading accreditation processes and serving as a liaison to regional or national accrediting agencies.
• Familiarity with online learning environments and quality standards related to distance education.
• Proven track record of cross-functional leadership, project management, and driving institutional initiatives and operational improvement efforts across diverse stakeholder groups in higher education or a related sector. 

Desired Qualifications

• Doctorate in a related field.
• Experience with both regional and specialized accreditation in higher education.
• Experience in competency-based education, online education, workforce education, or innovative higher education models.
• Experience presenting institutional effectiveness, accreditation, or project outcomes to governing boards, executive leadership teams, or external stakeholders.
• Evidence of professional engagement and leadership in accreditation, institutional effectiveness, and/or strategic planning organizations. 

Working Conditions and Travel

• Calbright College is a statewide online college where all instruction and support are done via various online technologies both in person and remotely. Calbright College has administrative offices in Sacramento available for use. When working remotely, employees should be able and willing to use digital communication tools as used by the college and have the ability to work on a computer for extended periods of time. Although this is a primarily remote position, there may be instances in which you will be required to attend meetings or travel to in-person events.
• Regular attendance is considered an essential job function; the inability to meet attendance requirements may preclude the employee from retaining employment.
• The person holding this position is considered a mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements outlined in Calbright College policies, procedures, and Title IX.
• Calbright College celebrates all forms of diversity and is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive environment within which students, staff, administrators,and faculty thrive. Individuals interested in advancing Calbright College’s strategic diversity goals are strongly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.
• Requires the ability to function in a remote online instructional environment performing work of primarily a sedentary nature. Requires the ability to use hearing and speech to make presentations to groups and carry on conversations over the phone and in-person. Requires speaking skills to communicate with staff and students in one-on-one and small group settings, on the phone, and to distinguish sound prompts from various types of equipment. Requires near visual acuity to read printed materials and computer screens. Requires sufficient hand/arm/finger dexterity to retrieve work materials, operate a personal computer keyboard, and operate standard office equipment. Requires the ability to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Work is performed indoors where minimal safety considerations exist.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Calbright College provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, veteran status, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Calbright College complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. 

Who We Are

Calbright College is one of California’s newest community colleges – the first statewide, online campus designed to bridge the gap between employers with unfilled positions and students who don’t have either the time or money to attend a traditional school. Our mission is to increase economic mobility and close equity gaps for working adults who lack easy access to traditional forms of higher education by offering online, flexible, affordable skills-based programs that provide tangible economic value for both working adults and hiring managers.