Job Description

Loyola University Chicago invites applications for the position of Dean of the School of Environmental Sustainability (SES). We seek an innovative leader who can take a successful and growing school to its next level. The preferred candidate will have strong administrative experience and excellence in research, teaching, and service in any discipline associated with Environmental Sustainability. SES is an interdisciplinary school whose core identity lies within the environmental sciences, inclusive of ecology, earth sciences, environmental chemistry, biogeochemical science, atmospheric science, and geography. It also has interdisciplinary expertise that draws on the social sciences, most notably environmental economics, land use management, environmental politics and policy, and anthropology, as well as the humanities (theology/ethics and history) and sustainable business. We are searching for a Dean who will further expand the interdisciplinary reach of our expanding school, ensure outstanding academic support and career success for our students, support the faculty’s collaborative and interdisciplinary research and teaching endeavors, promote a staff culture that values community and work-life balance, and enhance the school’s reputation as a regional, national, and international leader in environmental sustainability. As a school situated in the world-class City of Chicago that is dedicated to mentoring a diverse student body, many of whom come from under-represented and under-served populations, we especially encourage applications from candidates from under-represented groups. The position will start in July 2025.

To be successful in this role, the Dean will:

Collaborate with a creative and committed faculty and staff to promote outstanding research, teaching, and other scholarly activities;
Work with SES stakeholders to envision and implement a plan for the School’s continued growth that is aligned with the University Strategic Plan and rooted in the University’s core values of social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and especially Loyola’s goal of serving as a champion of environmental sustainability;
Sustain a strong sense of community within SES and promote an organizational culture that values excellence and work-life balance;
Promote the financial health and future of the School through effective resource management;
Engage with alumni to facilitate student mentorship, professional connections for SES graduates, and overall alumni involvement in SES.
Partner with Loyola’s Advancement office to expand donor engagement and philanthropic giving;
Draw on and strengthen the School’s interdisciplinary linkages across the University;
Serve as an advocate for SES across the University’s other schools, colleges, and non-academic divisions;
Leverage the City of Chicago and elevate the School’s visibility through industry partnerships and community engagement initiatives such as hosting the annual SES Climate Change Conference;
Pursue partnerships through Catholic and Jesuit international networks to elevate the School’s national and global visibility.

The Dean will have a doctorate and a record of administrative, research, and teaching excellence in any discipline pertaining to Environmental Sustainability.

Specific qualifications include:

A commitment to advancing interdisciplinary collaboration and the ability to promote and support the wide range of disciplines within the School;
Professional academic experience in environmental sustainability and a record of impactful scholarship;
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
Demonstrated ability to foster an organizational culture that values excellence, accountability, community and work-life balance;
A track record of engaging with students, promoting student success, and evaluating educational activities to ensure that a commitment to high-quality educational experiences is upheld;
Demonstrated ability to recruit, mentor, and retain faculty and staff;
Extensive knowledge of 21st-century trends, challenges, and opportunities in the field of environmental sustainability in a rapidly changing world;
Experience working with external stakeholders such as alumni, donors, industry, government, and community partners;
Demonstrated commitment to Loyola University Chicago’s Catholic, Jesuit mission and a desire to continue the School’s efforts to spur growth that benefits students in all areas of life;
A leadership style that is fair, transparent, welcoming, and embraces shared governance;
Proficiency with strategic planning and execution;
Demonstrated experience effectively building budgets, managing resources, and generating new resources, including fundraising;
Entrepreneurial spirit and support for innovative partnerships and initiatives that enhance the visibility of the School; and
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Tagged as: Renewable Energy/Sustainability

Job Tags

Similar Jobs