Dean, School of Business and Management chez Servant

Description

About our Client

Azusa Pacific University is a nationally recognized, comprehensive evangelical Christian university committed to developing disciples and scholars who impact the world for Christ. Founded in 1899, APU integrates rigorous academics with a deep and enduring faith commitment that shapes teaching, scholarship, and community life.

APU is a leader within the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities and is consistently recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of America’s Best Colleges. With more than 100 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs offered on campus, online, and across regional locations in Southern California, APU serves a diverse and engaged academic community.

In 2024 and 2025 Wall Street Journal ranked Azusa Pacific University as the number one Christian university in California, affirming its academic quality, outcomes, and mission-driven excellence.

APU seeks employees who desire to engage fully in a Christ-centered culture by cultivating community, modeling lifelong learning, and demonstrating Christ-like character. Faculty and staff work together to create an environment that is edifying to God and to one another.

The Opportunity

Azusa Pacific University invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the School of Business and Management. This is a distinctive opportunity for a visionary, faith-driven academic leader to shape the future of business education at a university with strong momentum, strategic investment, and growing national visibility.

Reporting to the Provost, the Dean will provide academic, strategic, and operational leadership for the School of Business and Management, including the endowed Leung School of Accounting. The Dean will work collaboratively with faculty, university leadership, external stakeholders, and the Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships to advance enrollment growth, industry engagement, experiential learning, and student outcomes. A central priority of this role is the strategic expansion of enrollment through outreach to industry partners, high schools, and faith-based and Christian organizations, positioning APU as a destination for students seeking a Christ-centered, career-ready business education.

The Dean is expected to be externally focused, visible, and engaged with the business community. This leader will bring creativity, energy, and relevance to industry-facing initiatives such as Transformative Talks, the Student Investment Club, Study Abroad and Study Away programs, Meet the Firms, and other experiential platforms. These programs are essential to preparing students not only for their first job, but for meaningful careers and lives of purpose beyond graduation.

Grounded in a Christian worldview, APU’s business programs integrate faith, ethics, leadership, and execution. The Dean will develop leaders who combine professional competence with moral clarity, humility, and a commitment to serve others in today’s global economy.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

Provide vision and leadership that positions the School of Business and Management as a leader in faith-integrated, technology-forward business education. Lead strategic planning efforts that respond to evolving business models, workforce needs, and global market dynamics while advancing enrollment growth and external visibility.

Faith Integration

Ensure that curricular and co-curricular experiences reflect thoughtful and informed integration of Christian faith within business disciplines and professional practice. Champion ethical leadership, stewardship, and Christ-centered decision-making in the marketplace.

Curriculum Innovation

Oversee the continuous evolution of academic programs to incorporate emerging technologies and practices including artificial intelligence, data analytics, digital marketing, fintech, and entrepreneurship. Ensure students gain applied, real-world learning aligned with current and future industry needs.

Faculty Leadership and Development

Recruit, retain, and develop faculty who demonstrate excellence in teaching, scholarship, and faith integration. Foster a collegial, high-performing academic culture that supports innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and academic distinction.

Student Success and Experiential Learning

Expand applied learning opportunities, including internships, simulations, competitions, and industry-connected projects. Lead the continued growth and relevance of signature initiatives such as ZuVenturez, Transformative Talks, Study Abroad and Study Away programs, the Student Investment Club, and Meet the Firms. Ensure graduates are well prepared for their careers, leadership responsibilities, and future life challenges.

Enrollment Growth and Outreach

Lead enrollment growth initiatives through coordinated outreach to industry partners, high schools, churches, and Christian organizations. Collaborate closely with admissions teams to strengthen recruitment pipelines and market positioning.

External Engagement and Advancement

Serve as a visible ambassador for the School of Business and Management and the Leung School of Accounting with alumni, donors, corporate partners, and faith-aligned organizations. Actively participate in fundraising and partnership development efforts, in collaboration with the university advancement team, to support innovation, technology, and student access.

Diverse Perspectives and Community Engagement

Promote a learning environment that values diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. Support students and faculty from a wide range of populations and ensure that the School reflects respect, opportunity, and academic excellence for all.

Operational Excellence

Ensure sound fiscal stewardship, effective resource allocation, and continuous improvement. Lead digital transformation efforts that enhance academic delivery, operational effectiveness, and student outcomes.

Research and Thought Leadership

Champion interdisciplinary research focused on innovation, emerging business models, and the digital transformation of organizations. Promote scholarship that informs industry practice, ethical leadership, and public policy.

Why This Role, Why Now

This is a unique opportunity to lead a business school with strong institutional support, a clear Christ-centered mission, expanding industry partnerships, and a growing national profile. The next Dean will inherit momentum, infrastructure, and collaborative leadership committed to scaling impact, relevance, and visibility while shaping the next generation of leaders who will lead on purpose and for a purpose.

Requirements

Qualifications

Academic Credentials

An earned doctorate in business, technology, or a closely related field is preferred. Candidates must demonstrate scholarly achievement appropriate for appointment as a full professor. Candidates with a master’s degree may be eligible with sufficient professional experiences and accomplishments.

Leadership Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible academic leadership experience with demonstrated ability to inspire, align, and lead faculty and staff within a mission-driven institution.

Visionary Leadership

Demonstrated ability to articulate and implement a compelling vision for business education in a technology-driven world while remaining grounded in Christian values and principles.

Communication and Collaboration

Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with a transparent, approachable leadership style that builds trust across faculty, staff, students, and external partners.

Commitment to Innovation

A proven track record of identifying emerging trends in education and adapting curriculum and programs to advancing technologies and new business models.

Industry Engagement

Strong relationships across technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, and traditional business sectors with the ability to leverage industry connections to advance partnerships, curriculum relevance, and student outcomes.