Dean, Design, Wellness, and Public Safety

GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION: The Dean, Design, Wellness and Public Safety serves as the primary administrative leader for all credit and noncredit programs/pathways within the assigned academic and workforce cluster. Reporting to the AVP of Learning & Workforce Development, the Dean provides strategic, academic, and operational leadership to ensure high-quality, aligned, and student-centered programming. The Dean serves as a member of the Learning and Workforce Development leadership team and is responsible for translating institutional priorities into effective academic, workforce, operational, and student success practices within the assigned division.  
Within the One-College model, the Dean ensures that all students, regardless of entry point, experience clear, connected pathways that lead to credentials, degrees, employment, or transfer. The Dean is accountable for program quality, enrollment, completion, and workforce and transfer outcomes across all division pathways.
DIVISIONAL PROGRAMS:

Curriculum                                              Continuing Education        

Cosmetology                                          BLET/Law Enforcement

Graphic Design                                      Fire & Rescue Services

Interior Design                                       Emergency Medical Services

Photography

Pathway Strategy & Alignment

• Develop, implement, and continuously refine stackable academic and workforce pathways that align noncredit credentials with credit programs and career or transfer outcomes 
• Lead long-range planning based on labor market demand, transfer opportunities, enrollment trends, and regional workforce needs 
• Ensure alignment of curriculum, credentials, and course offerings with institutional priorities, accreditation standards, and system/state requirements 
• Engage advisory committees and employer and/or educational partners in program design, review, and credential alignment

Instructional & Program Operations

• Use enrollment, FTE, fill-rate, completion, labor market, and program performance data to develop efficient schedules, monitor course demand, address low-enrollment sections, and support program sustainability
• Monitor faculty workload, teaching assignments, release time, and overload requests to ensure alignment with institutional expectations, budget availability, program needs, and applicable policies and procedures
• Oversee curriculum development, program review, and continuous improvement processes
• Ensure instructional quality, academic rigor, and relevance in credit and noncredit offerings
• Support employer engagement and expand work-based learning opportunities such as apprenticeships, internships, clinicals, and externships (where appropriate)

Student Success & Experience

• Monitor enrollment, progression, and completion across programs and implement strategies to improve access and success
• Ensure clear transitions between workforce and academic pathways
• Collaborate with advising, enrollment, and student support services to resolve barriers and improve student navigation
• Promote retention, credential attainment, and transfer outcomes through student-centered program design
• Address and resolve escalated student, faculty, and program concerns in accordance with institutional policies, academic standards, and due process expectations

Faculty & Staff Leadership

• Recruit, supervise, develop, and evaluate department heads, directors, program coordinators, and staff within the division
• Provide ongoing coaching, performance management, and professional development
• Ensure compliance with credentialing, onboarding, and instructional requirements
• Foster collaboration across credit and workforce teams 
• Support innovation in teaching and learning
• Collaborate across divisions and departments, including Student Success, Enrollment Management, Institutional Effectiveness, Finance, Human Resources, Marketing, IT, Facilities, and external partners, to support seamless student experiences and effective program operations

Resources, Budget & Operations

• Manage budgets, staffing plans, and instructional resources aligned with enrollment, outcomes, and strategic priorities
• Oversee and approve payroll, contracts, and purchasing in accordance with institutional procedures
• Ensure effective use of instructional spaces, labs, and equipment, including scheduling and maintenance coordination
• Ensure compliance with faculty credentialing, program review, advisory committee documentation, curriculum standards, workforce continuing education requirements, specialized accreditation, licensure/certification expectations, and applicable SACSCOC, NCCCS, state, and institutional policies.
• Support grant development and special initiatives that enhance workforce and economic impact

Data-Informed Decision Making & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor and act on key performance indicators, including enrollment, completion, persistence, and workforce/transfer outcomes
• Use data dashboards, program evaluations, and labor market information to guide planning, scheduling, and resource allocation
• Identify underperforming programs or courses and implement timely corrective actions
• Lead a culture of continuous improvement across all division pathways

Duties Specific to this Division

• Ensure compliance with applicable accreditation, certification, licensure, regulatory, and agency requirements for programs within the division
• Provide oversight of specialized instructional facilities, laboratories, equipment, and training environments within the division
• Cultivate and maintain partnerships with public safety agencies and industry stakeholders
• Support program-specific operational, workforce development, and community training needs

Required: 

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in a related academic or professional field within the division or an equivalent combination of education, training, and directly related experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.
• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in higher education, workforce development, or a closely related field.
• Experience supervising faculty and/or instructional staff.

Preferred: 

• Demonstrated experience working with both credit and noncredit/workforce programs or strong evidence of cross-sector leadership.
• Demonstrated success aligning academic programs with workforce or transfer outcomes.
• Experience with employer partnerships, advisory committees, or work-based learning.
• Familiarity with community college systems and funding/compliance environments.
• Experience with program review, assessment, accreditation, faculty credentialing, budget management, and data-informed scheduling or enrollment planning.
• Experience developing new programs, short-term credentials, or workforce pathways

• A commitment to embrace and promote a campus culture that values trust, integrity, belonging, mutual respect, a strong work ethic, and service to others.
• A commitment to institutional service by proactively seeking opportunities and actively contributing to student engagement, College initiatives, and community partnerships through participation in committees, student organizations, outreach activities, mentoring, and other service opportunities.
• A commitment to the comprehensive community college philosophy and mission which provides academic, career, intellectual, and social development opportunities for all students.  

• Ability and willingness to work collaboratively with all faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders.   
• Serve on institutional committees as appointed by the President.
• Annually review all Randolph Community College safety rules and policies and be familiar with all emergency safety procedures. Promote good safety habits and be compliant with all applicable safety regulations.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as needed or assigned.