The University of Virginia School of Education and Human Development (EHD) is a vibrant academic community dedicated to advancing learning, leadership, and human development through teaching, research, and community partnerships. EHD plays a critical role in preparing educators, researchers, clinicians, and leaders who positively impact individuals and communities locally and globally. The school boasts a remarkable portfolio of work—scholarship that is alive and relevant to the everyday work of professionals in education, health, and social sciences. Our research drives inquiry, discovery, and impact.

EHD now seeks an exceptional Senior Associate Dean for Administration & Chief Operating Officer (COO) to serve as the school’s executive leader for operations, administrative infrastructure, organizational effectiveness, and financial stewardship. This is a critical institutional leadership role in EHD—one that partners closely with the Dean and senior leaders to strengthen the school’s operating environment, ensure fiscal sustainability, and advance EHD’s mission with excellence.

The Role and Responsibilities

The Senior Associate Dean for Administration & COO serves as EHD’s senior administrative leader for financial planning and resource management and is responsible for leading, integrating, and continuously improving the school’s operational enterprise. This includes direct supervision of administrative leaders responsible for Business & Finance, Communications & Marketing, Educational Technologies, Facilities & Events, and the Sheila C. Johnson Center for Clinical Services. The COO ensures that each unit’s work is aligned with and responsive to the school’s teaching, research, and service missions. The COO ensures that financial strategies, operational and capital budgets, and controls are aligned with school priorities and long‑term sustainability.

Key Priorities Include:

Strategic Leadership

• Serve as a member of EHD’s senior leadership team and work closely with academic and administrative leaders to implement strategic priorities.

• Lead the development and execution of multi-year operational and financial strategies that translate EHD priorities into aligned plans across people, processes, technology, and financial resources.

• Serve as a strategic partner to academic leaders to ensure operational capacity, compliance, accreditation, and planning infrastructure align with institutional priorities and program development goals.

• Advise the Dean and senior leaders on operational risk, governance, and institutional resilience, using analytics, scenario planning, and environmental scanning to strengthen informed decision-making.

• Represent EHD to University leadership on operational, financial, and administrative matters.

Operational Excellence

• Provide integrated leadership of the school’s administrative and operational infrastructure, ensuring cohesive, mission-aligned service delivery.

• Ensure an integrated communications and marketing strategy that advances EHD’s brand, strengthens engagement with key audiences, and supports enrollment and institutional priorities.

• Oversee facilities, capital planning, renovations, maintenance, space planning, and major school events to create exceptional learning and working environments and high-quality institutional events that reflect EHD’s mission.

• Advance IT and digital transformation efforts, adopting technologies that modernize operations, improve user experience, and support academic innovation.

• Partner with the Sheila C. Johnson Center for Clinical Services and other academic/clinical units to ensure operational integrity, regulatory compliance, and financial sustainability.

• Ensure effective stewardship of philanthropic resources in partnership with the EHD Foundation and University Advancement.

• Establish and maintain operational policies, risk-mitigation systems, process improvements, and service‑excellence standards.

Financial Stewardship

• Provide executive oversight of financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and compliance.

• Ensure effective resource management, including endowment use and gift agreement oversight in collaboration with the EHD Foundation.

• Anticipate financial challenges, identify trends, and recommend strategies to maintain fiscal health and long‑term sustainability.

• Ensure strong financial systems, internal controls, and accurate, timely reporting.

Talent & Culture Leadership

• Serve as EHD’s senior administrative leader for staff affairs, partnering closely with UVA HR on workforce strategy, employee relations, performance management, compensation and merit planning, and organizational development.

• Shape and sustain a positive, inclusive, and service‑oriented culture that supports staff excellence and engagement.

• Develop leadership capacity across operational units and foster professional growth.

• Anticipate personnel and organizational challenges and lead proactive solutions that strengthen EHD’s workforce and culture.

Minimum Requirement

Education: Master's degree in related area.

Experience: With at least ten years of experience with increasing responsibility in a large, complex organization.

Preferred Qualifications

The successful candidate will be an accomplished operational and administrative executive with the ability to lead a complex, mission-driven academic organization. They will bring a blend of strategic insight, fiscal discipline, operational expertise, and a collaborative leadership style to foster a positive, high-performing culture. Preferred qualifications include:

• Significant senior leadership experience in administrative roles within higher education, academic medicine, nonprofit, or other complex mission-driven organizations; comparable experience in similarly complex environments will be considered.

• Familiarity with higher education budgeting models and processes, including financial planning, forecasting, and resource allocation.

• Experience leading and integrating diverse operational functions such as finance, facilities, IT, and HR.

• Proven ability to partner effectively with academic leaders, governing bodies, and external stakeholders and to drive measurable improvements in organizational performance.

• A high level of systems thinking, operational judgment, and the ability to navigate complex governance environments.

• Strong commitment to data-informed decision-making, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

• Track record of developing and retaining high-performing teams and fostering a collaborative, service-oriented culture.

• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to explain complex issues clearly, build consensus, and lead in highly relational environments.

• A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in relevant administrative roles.

Physical Demands

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

Salary Range : Salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Exemption Status: This is an exempt-level, benefited position. Learn more about UVA benefits.

Work Arrangement: This position is based in Charlottesville, VA, and must be performed fully on-site.

About UVA and the Community: To learn more about UVA and in the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA.

Application Timeline: Application review will begin after March 11, 2026.

Background Check: Background checks will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.

Visa Sponsorship: This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.

How to Apply: Please apply online, by searching for requisition number R0080730. Complete an application with the following documents:

• Resume

• Cover Letter

Upload all materials into the resume submission field. You can submit multiple documents into this one field or combine them into one PDF. Applications without all required documents will not receive full consideration.

Internal applicants: Search and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website.

Reference Check Process: Reference checks will be completed by UVA’s third-party partner, SkillSurvey, during the final phase of the interview. Five references will be requested, with at least three responses required.

Recruiter Contact: For questions about the application process, please contact Margaret Weeks.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.