Dean, Leeds School of Business

The University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) seeks a forward-thinking and collaborative leader to serve as the next dean of the Leeds School of Business (Leeds)!

As one of only 36 U.S. public research institutions in the Association of American Universities (AAU), CU Boulder is a student-centered campus committed to its mission of teaching, research, and service. With eight colleges and schools, an enrollment of 36,000 students, and more than 1,800 tenured, tenure-track, and teaching-track faculty, CU Boulder is the largest of the four-campus University of Colorado system. For the 2022 fiscal year, CU Boulder received over 4,000 research awards and gifts, totaling more than $650 million.

CU Boulder is committed to regional economic development and, in 2021, was recognized as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity awardee by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities for its exemplary initiatives spurring innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology-based economic development. Since 2018, the University has raised more than $2.9 billion in capital funding from startups commercializing CU Boulder technology. From offering dozens of exciting programs in a range of academic fields, to serving as one of the world’s most dynamic research and innovation hubs, to working closely with hundreds of public outreach efforts in communities across Colorado and the world, the University takes pride in helping its students, faculty, staff, and partners turn new ideas into productive outcomes that change lives.

Set in the heart of Boulder, Colorado – one of the nation’s most vibrant communities – the Leeds School of Business, an AACSB accredited institution, leads the state in business education with nationally-recognized programs, top-tier faculty, an alumni community of 46,000 in 72 countries across the globe, and a vast network of established business partners and mentors. Leeds ranks nationally among leading public and private MBA schools, master’s programs, undergraduate programs, and PhD programs. Among the top 15% MBA programs in the US, the graduate cohort structure is distinguished by the ambitious MBA students who create their own peer community, build collaborative partnerships, and develop personal and professional connections that are long-lasting.

The dean is the lead academic and administrative officer of the Leeds School of Business, providing strategic, inclusive, and equitable leadership, vision, planning, and management. This position has leadership responsibilities in academic programs, budget, and personnel. The dean serves two equally important roles on the Boulder campus. First, the dean is expected to be the principal advocate for the Leeds School of Business both within and outside the university. Second, as a member of the provost’s campus academic leadership team, the dean is expected to work cooperatively and collaboratively with other academic leaders and administrators to advance the goals and mission of the CU Boulder campus with a university first mentality. Leadership priorities for this role include improving student success, growing and celebrating research and innovation, and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The next dean will foster excellence in undergraduate and graduate education; provide collaborative leadership both within and outside the school; encourage the contributions of varied and individual divisions and programs; recruit and retain outstanding faculty, students, and staff; support research, scholarly, and creative work; value leadership and service; protect academic freedom; and champion inclusion, diversity and equity; and engage in fundraising to support the school and its divisions and programs. All of the dean’s activities are to be firmly grounded on the Boulder campus' shared values of integrity, respect, inclusivity, and openness. This is an exceptional opportunity for a thoughtful, inspirational leader to join a school with the important mission to positively transform the future of global business by inspiring and educating next generation business leaders and creating impactful knowledge. In doing so, the dean will work collaboratively to address a set of key opportunities and challenges:

• Lead and implement an innovative and entrepreneurial strategic vision;
• Ensure a sustainable internal infrastructure that strengthens academic and educational excellence;
• Recruit, retain, and develop a dynamic and diverse faculty and staff;
• Develop and support a diverse and inclusive environment;
• Champion and support the academic and professional success of Leeds students;
• Foster development activities and external partnerships to achieve the School’s many ambitions;
• Increase cross-disciplinary partnerships within the CU Boulder ecosystem;
• Serve as a compelling representative for the school, both internally and externally.

• As part of the University of Colorado Boulder’s deep commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, the campus has implemented a reference check pilot program with respect to final candidates for tenured faculty appointments. The reference check pilot program is intended to allow CU Boulder to collect and review information about a candidate's conduct at their current and previous institutions, specifically conduct related to sexual misconduct, harassment, and/or discrimination – before making hiring decisions. All final candidates for tenured faculty appointments are required to complete an Authorization to Release Information.
• All University of Colorado Boulder employees are required to align with the campus COVID-19 vaccine requirement. New employees must provide proof of vaccination or receive a medical or religious exemption within 30 days of employment.

To apply, please visit the Isaacson, Miller website for the search. Applications submitted on the CU Boulder Job Site will not be reviewed.

CU Boulder has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in this search. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. For more details, including the full position profile and to submit inquiries, nominations, referrals, and applications, please see the Isaacson, Miller website for the search.