Job Summary

The Executive Associate Dean is a senior academic leader and strategic advisor to the dean and a key member of the college's executive leadership team. Bringing the perspective and judgment of an accomplished faculty member and academic administrator, the Executive Associate Dean maintains a broad, integrated view of the college's academic programs, people, operations, partnerships, resources and priorities; identifies connections, opportunities and emerging issues across those areas; and provides strategic counsel to the dean on matters affecting the college and its long-term success.

Working closely with the dean, associate and assistant deans, department heads, center directors and other college leaders, the Executive Associate Dean helps translate college priorities into coordinated action and ensures that executive decision-making is informed by academic context, institutional knowledge and the perspectives of faculty and academic leaders. The position serves as a trusted advisor and sounding board to the dean, provides leadership on complex issues that span organizational and disciplinary boundaries, and represents and acts on behalf of the dean as appropriate.

In addition to this collegewide leadership role, the Executive Associate Dean provides executive oversight of academic operations, agricultural and commercial operations, facilities and land-use planning, and other designated areas of college operations.

Department Summary

The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) at Cal Poly is one of the nation’s premier colleges of agriculture and natural resources – and the fifth-largest of its kind in the U.S. With more than 4,200 undergraduates, 16 majors, five graduate programs,



and 192 dedicated faculty and staff, CAFES is a powerhouse of innovation, impact and hands- on learning. Our signature Learn by Doing philosophy comes alive across 10,000 acres of cropland, pastures, orchards, vineyards, and forests, as well as in specialized teaching and research facilities. From the Animal Health Center and Equine Center to the Center for Wine and Viticulture, Ag Tech Center and Plant Sciences Complex at the San Luis Obispo campus and Marine Transportation facilities at the Solano campus, students and faculty work side by side – tackling real-world challenges and shaping the future of food, agriculture and the environment. Discover more at cafes.calpoly.edu.

Key Qualifications

- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively with academic, administrative, industry and community audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically and institutionally across academic disciplines, programs and administrative functions.
- Excellent leadership and management skills, including the ability to build alignment, develop others and lead through influence as well as formal authority.
- A leadership style characterized by integrity, openness, flexibility, inclusiveness, transparency and kindness.




- Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex and sometimes competing information and perspectives and translate them into sound recommendations for executive decision-making.
- Demonstrated capacity to serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, including the judgment and confidence to offer candid counsel, constructive challenge and alternative perspectives.
- Ability to move effectively between strategic and operational perspectives and recognize when an operational issue has broader academic, organizational, financial or reputational implications.
- Record of successfully addressing complex issues that cross organizational, disciplinary or functional boundaries.
- Demonstrated use of tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
- Ability to work well under pressure and maintain composure.

Education and Experience

- PhD or terminal degree
- Credentials appropriate for a tenured appointment at the rank of full professor within the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
- At least five years of relevant higher education administrative experience with evidence of increasing responsibility. Examples include service as an associate dean, department head or chair, program director or coordinator, center director, or leader of a sufficiently complex research or academic program.
- Distinguished record of academic achievement and demonstrated effectiveness in teaching, research and service
- Record of successful leadership of people, programs and complex initiatives
- Demonstrated experience working across academic disciplines, programs or organizational units to advance shared priori

📌 Executive Associate Dean, College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (San Luis)
🏢 Executive Associate Dean, College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
📍 San Luis