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What does a Dean do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

A dean is a high-ranking administrator at a college or university. Deans typically have oversight of a particular academic unit, such as the College of Arts and Sciences, or a specific area, such as student affairs.

Dean job duties include:

  • Providing academic and administrative leadership for a school or college within a university
  • Working with faculty, staff, and students to ensure the quality of education and research
  • Overseeing the budget and financial planning for the school or college
  • Hiring and supervising faculty and staff
  • Planning and coordinating curriculum development
  • Developing long-range plans for the growth of the school or college
  • Serving as a liaison between the school or college and other parts of the university
  • Representing the school or college to external constituencies
  • Fundraising for the school or college

Dean Job Requirements

The job requirements for a Dean vary depending on the educational institution. However, most Deans have a Doctorate degree in their field of expertise, along with several years of experience working in education. In addition, many Deans are certified teachers or administrators.

Dean Skills

  • Fundraising
  • Marketing
  • Event Planning
  • Public Speaking
  • Budgeting
  • Strategic Planning
  • Fundamentals of Law
  • Human Resources Management
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Student Affairs
  • Leadership

Related: Top Dean Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Dean

The role of a Dean is to provide academic and administrative leadership for a school or college within a university. Deans are responsible for ensuring the quality of teaching and research, and for promoting the interests of their faculty and students. They also have budgetary responsibilities and are often involved in fundraising.

To become a Dean, you will need to have extensive experience as a professor and administrator within a university setting. You will also need to demonstrate strong leadership qualities and be able to effectively manage budgets and personnel. In addition, you will need to be an effective communicator and have excellent interpersonal skills.

Related: Dean Resume Example

Related: Dean Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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