Career Center

The Associate Dean for Administration – Fine Arts
The Associate Dean serves as the chief administrative officer for the Division of Fine Arts. The
Division has ten departments: Ceramics; Film/Animation/Video; Glass; Illustration; Jewelry +
Metalsmithing, Painting; Photography; Printmaking; Sculpture; and Textiles. There are 899 students,
61 full-time faculty, 26 academic staff, and 143 part-time faculty. The annual budget is
approximately
$15.3 million.

The Associate Dean for Administration – Architecture + Design
The Associate Dean serves as the chief administrative officer for the Division of Architecture +
Design. The Division has seven departments: Apparel Design; Architecture; Furniture Design,
Graphic Design; Industrial Design; Interior Architecture; and Landscape Architecture. There are
1107 students, 71 full-time faculty, 26 academic staff, and 194 part-time faculty. The annual budget
is approximately $17.2 million.

Specific Areas of Responsibility

1. Administration
? Monitor compliance with contracts, policies and procedures for the Division and its
Departments and make recommendations as appropriate.
? Provide executive, and analytical support to the Dean; provide advice and input on strategic
planning, priority setting, and resource allocation.
? Working closely with the Director, Institutional Data & Research Services, oversee data
collection and analysis for reporting to internal and external constituencies to support
accreditation and academic program review, and for long and short-term resource planning
and decision making.
? Working with the offices of Enrollment, Admissions, and Registrar, use student data to
project resource needs and inform budget planning.

? Supervise and evaluate department staff. Ensure department staffing (coordinators and
technicians) levels, skills and resources are available to meet operational needs and college
initiatives. Oversee orientation, onboarding and professional development for new hires and
existing staff and providing access to necessary materials, resources, systems and trainings.
? Represent the Division and its Departments on college issues related to administration and
administrative policies and procedures.

2. Finance
? Synthesize and analyze financial information and trends, develop and maintain multi-year
financial planning model for divisional funds (encompassing all funding sources), and
provide alternatives to inform effective decision-making and planning.
? Working closely with the Director, Academic Budgets and Resources (ABR), oversee
operating budgets, equipment budgets, and other divisional resources. Collaborate with the
Director, ABR, during the budget development process, and manage and prioritize requests
for changes to departmental resource allocations.
? Manage and oversee expense approvals and student employment for divisional Departments
and Programs.
? Oversee funds management to ensure available funds are used as planned, including budget
vs. actual reviews, allocation of funds to departments in accordance with the policies of the
Dean, and allocation of funds appropriately to meet long-term planning goals.
? Ensure compliance with restrictions on gift, endowed and grant funds.

3. Facilities and IT
? Responsible for the overall planning, programming and policy development for the use of
divisional facilities, equipment, and spaces, in close collaboration with RISD Facilities
Services as well as department heads, technicians and the Registrar’s Office, ensuring
equitable access.
? Oversee and ensure equipment maintenance and replacement schedules/planning, with
Academic Budgets and Planning office. Coordinate safety protocols and standards centrally
with the office of EH&S.
? Develop and oversee the Division’s IT and shop plans, with input from IT and technicians,
and integrate the divisional investments with college-wide strategic projects and priorities.

Qualifications
? Graduate degree or equivalent combination of education and experience in a higher
education institution.
? Minimum of five years relevant experience, including a minimum of 3 years management
experience
? Demonstrated ability to provide supervisory leadership and project management in an
academic environment.
? Demonstrated commitment to working successfully with individuals representing diverse
backgrounds, circumstances, and perspectives.
? Strong financial and data analysis skills with the ability to synthesize and analyze data for
meaningful action
? Commitment to prioritizing inclusivity, diversity and equity in executing key responsibilities.
? Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation skills, as well as advanced
interpersonal skills.

? Proven experience and ability to work effectively, collegially, and collaboratively with faculty
and administrators across the spectrum of a higher education institution.
? Interest in furthering professional development.

To apply: Sage Search Partners is assisting RISD with these searches. Confidential inquiries, nominations and applications (cover letter and resume) can be sent to pfazli@sagesearch.com