Assistant Dean of MBA Programs

University of Washington•Seattle, WA

3d•$156,000 - $192,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Michael G. Foster School of Business at the University of Washington is one of the nation’s top-ranked public business schools. Foster serves more than 2,500 students across a broad portfolio of programs, including multiple top-20 MBA programs, seven specialty master’s degrees, an undergraduate business program, two undergraduate minors and a PhD program. Located on the Seattle campus, Foster benefits from strong ties to the global business community. The school is supported by more than 55,000 engaged alumni and a collaborative community of faculty and staff dedicated to advancing business education, research, and student success. The Foster School of Business has an exciting opening for an Assistant Dean of MBA Programs. The Assistant Dean of MBA Programs provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and programmatic direction for multiple MBA programs at Foster. This role is responsible for guiding the evolution, delivery, and continuous improvement of high-impact MBA experiences that align with Foster’s purpose, values, and long-term market positioning. The Assistant Dean oversees student services, program operations, and co-curricular programming, with full responsibility for annual program budgets exceeding $20 million. The Full-time MBA program plays a critical role in the School’s national reputation and rankings, while the working professional MBA Programs (Executive, Evening and Hybrid) have a long history of serving working professionals and contributing significantly to the School’s financial sustainability. As market expectations, learner needs, and curricular models evolve, the Assistant Dean provides strategic insight and leadership to help shape the ongoing development of each of these programs, including their curricular structure, delivery models, and student experience. As a member of the Foster Masters Portfolio leadership team, the Assistant Dean contributes to school-wide strategy, planning, and decision-making, representing curricular and student experience perspectives in discussions related to program design, growth, and long-term competitiveness. The Assistant Dean partners with senior leadership to identify opportunities to streamline operations, align program models, and enhance outcomes across programs, positioning Foster to deliver a cohesive, high-quality MBA experience at scale. This position supervises the directors of the Full-time MBA, Evening MBA, Executive MBA and Hybrid MBA programs. This position reports to the Associate Dean for Masters Programs.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Business, Education, Public Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Minimum of three years of progressive leadership experience in a complex academic or professional services environment
Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.
Demonstrated experience working with multiple stakeholder groups, including faculty, students, senior administrators, and external partners.
Proven success in financial and budgetary management within an academic or similarly complex organizational setting.
Demonstrated effectiveness in staff supervision, leadership development, and strategic management.
Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills; ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving, and occasionally ambiguous environment.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Professional experience in academic affairs, program operations, student services, or career management within a highly ranked MBA or graduate business program.
Experience working with both tuition-based (“state-supported”) and fee-based (“self-sustaining”) graduate programs.
Experience contributing to program innovation, curricular evolution, or portfolio-level program strategy.

Responsibilities

Strategic and Financial Management Provide strategic leadership and direction for the Full-time and Evening MBA programs, ensuring alignment with the Foster School’s mission, values, and long-term strategic priorities.
Serve as a strategic advisor on the design, positioning, and evolution of MBA program models, with particular focus on aligning the Evening MBA curriculum and structure with changing market demands and learner expectations.
Contribute expertise and insight to Foster’s broader portfolio of MBA programs, supporting efforts to align program offerings, streamline operations, and enhance consistency and quality across the MBA ecosystem.
Plan, direct, manage, and oversee program operations and financial performance for the Full-time and Evening MBA programs, including full responsibility for annual budgets exceeding $20 million.
Develop, oversee, and present annual budgets to the Foster Budget Committee; monitor financial performance and recommend adjustments as needed.
Prepare financial and strategic reports for advisory boards, senior leadership, and other stakeholders.
Develop and oversee program-level policies, guidelines, and governance processes in collaboration with the Associate Dean for Masters Programs and the Foster School Master’s Programs Committee.
Provide clear, collaborative, and values-driven leadership to advance program goals and support staff and student success.
Co-plan with the Assistant Dean of MBA Career Management professional development frameworks and programming that prepare Full-time and Evening MBA students for competitive local, national, and global employment markets.
Academic Program Operations, Assessment, and Curriculum Feedback Conduct ongoing, holistic evaluation of program performance, including student outcomes, curricular effectiveness, market demand, financial sustainability, and external partnerships.
Provide strategic feedback and recommendations related to curriculum delivery, program structure, and co-curricular design, informed by student data, employer feedback, alumni insights, and market trends.
Partner with faculty leadership and the Associate Dean for Masters Programs to support curricular excellence, high-impact learning experiences, and a cohesive instructional environment.
Identify and recommend new initiatives, services, and operational improvements that enhance student experience and program effectiveness.
Oversee student satisfaction assessment processes; analyze feedback and recommend action plans in collaboration with program leadership.
Develop, implement, and oversee operating policies, procedures, and systems supporting student affairs and program operations.
Serve as a key administrative representative to Foster School faculty, supporting collaboration, communication, and shared ownership of program quality.
Advise and support students on academic and programmatic matters as needed, including providing initial counseling and referrals to faculty or other university resources.
Consult with the Associate Dean for Masters Programs and, as appropriate, the Foster Master’s Programs Committee on complex or ambiguous policy and programmatic issues.
Supervision and Team Leadership Provide leadership and oversight for Directors of the Full-time, Evening, Hybrid and Executive MBA programs
Support professional development planning for staff, aligning individual growth with program and School priorities.
Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture consistent with Foster’s purpose and values.
Hire, evaluate, and manage staff performance; provide coaching and corrective action when necessary.
Oversee student employees and temporary staff as appropriate.