Associate Dean

Description

Associate Dean, Online Hybrid J.D. (OHJD) Program

Full-time, exempt, 40 hours/week

$120,000-$150,000 annually

Fully Remote or Hybrid

Reports to: Law School Dean

VLGS Benefits and PTO include: 

- Full benefits (medical, dental, vision, etc.). 

- 403b including 4% employer contribution.

- 2 weeks of paid vacation in addition to paid personal and sick days. 

- 11 paid holidays plus two weeks of paid days off for Summer and Winter breaks. 

- Employee Assistance Program.

- VLGS course participation with tuition assistance.

- Flexible schedule potential. 

Vermont Law and Graduate School is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness. We grow and learn better together with a diverse group of faculty, staff, and students. In recruiting for faculty and staff, we seek unique backgrounds to enrich and challenge our community. 

Position Summary:

The Associate Dean of the Online Hybrid Juris Doctor (OHJD) Program provides strategic, academic, and operational leadership for all aspects of the OHJD Program, including academic quality, accreditation compliance, student success, faculty support, program administration, and long-term program growth and success. This is a senior staff administrative position (not a faculty appointment) responsible for academic administration, program oversight, and operational effectiveness.  

The Associate Dean serves on the senior leadership team and reports to the Dean of the Law School. This position works closely with faculty, staff, and administrators to ensure the OHJD Program advances the mission and strategic priorities of Vermont Law and Graduate School (VLGS) while maintaining rigorous academic standards and full compliance with accreditation requirements. 

This position may be hybrid or fully remote, with regular travel required for residencies and institutional responsibilities. 

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Accreditation and Compliance Leadership 

• Serve as institutional lead for ABA Standard 306 and related requirements.
• Oversee compliance, reporting, and preparation for site visits and questionnaires. 
• Serve as liaison with accrediting bodies and institutional leadership. 
• Monitor and implement emerging regulatory and accreditation developments affecting online legal education and recommend institutional responses.

Academic Leadership and Curriculum Oversight 

• Oversee academic quality, curricular coherence, and learning outcomes. 
• Ensure rigor and equivalence with the residential J.D. program. 
• Collaborate with faculty leadership and committees on curriculum, innovation, to evaluate and enhance effectiveness.
• Recommend academic policies and improvements to support student learning and success.

Faculty Recruitment, Support, and Development 

• Partner with faculty leadership and hiring committees in the recruitment, development, hiring, and evaluation of OHJD faculty. 
• Support effective online and hybrid teaching practices. 
• Foster strong working relationships with faculty; facilitate communication and collaboration among OHJD faculty and institutional leadership.

Student Experience, Advising, and Success 

• Oversee advising and monitor student engagement, retention, and success. 
• Ensure access to academic support, career services, and co-curricular opportunities. 
• Collaborate with Student Services on integration of online and residential communities. 
• Lead orientations and initiatives that support community and student engagement. 
• Monitor academic progress and student success metrics and implement interventions to improve retention and completion outcomes.

Program Operations, Technology, and Instructional Design 

• Oversee and lead academic and administrative operations of the OHJD Program.
• Partner with instructional design and technology staff to ensure effective and consistent online and hybrid instruction.
• Oversee planning and execution of OHJD residencies. 
• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies and educational practices to support program quality and innovation.

Assessment, Data, and Continuous Improvement 

• Oversee collection and analysis of program data. 
• Develop and monitor data related to enrollment, retention, student success, and program effectiveness, to guide program improvement and decision-making.
• Present recommendations to senior leadership. 

Strategic Planning and External Relations 

• Develop strategic institutional initiatives that support OHJD Program growth, quality, and innovation.
• Represent the program internally and externally. 
• Support visibility and engagement with peer institutions, legal education leaders, and external stakeholders.

Enrollment, Advancement, and Alumni Engagement 

• Support admissions and enrollment initiatives. 
• Collaborate on alumni engagement and advancement. 
• Support development of alumni engagement strategies for OHJD students and graduates.

Budget, Personnel, and Administrative Leadership 

• Oversee the OHJD program budget. 
• Supervise and support program staff. 
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment. 
• Support OHJD program goals and operational effectiveness.

Institutional Leadership 

• Serve as a member of the VLGS senior leadership team.
• Contribute to institutional planning, policy development, and strategic initiatives.
• Collaborate with academic and administrative leaders to advance institutional goals and priorities.

Additional Responsibilities 

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Dean. 

Requirements

Required Education, Skills, and Experience: 

• Bachelor's and advanced degree (J.D. or related field) required.
• 7–10 years of leadership experience in higher education or a related field. 
• Experience managing complex academic or professional programs. 
• Familiarity with accreditation and regulatory requirements (ABA preferred). 
• Experience with online or hybrid education programs. 
• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across faculty and administrative units. 
• Commitment to student success and inclusive learning environments. 

Preferred Education, Skills, and Experience:

• Advanced degree preferred (Masters, J.D. and/or bar admission, or related field).
• Experience in legal or professional graduate education. 
• Familiarity with instructional design or digital pedagogy. 
• Experience with external engagement or national professional networks. 

Other Requirements:

• Regular travel required for residencies and institutional responsibilities. Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines and reorganize under pressure.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Must be able to work legally within the United States without sponsorship.
• Ability to perform all essential functions of the job with or without basic accommodations.

Application Requirements:

Please attach a resume and cover letter for consideration. If you are applying from a third party website (Indeed, etc.) and are unable to attach additional materials to your online application, please apply directly at https://www.vermontlaw.edu/community/about-vls/employment-opportunities or email required documents to Christine Saul, csaul@vermontlaw.edu.

As part of our commitment to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, candidates who meet the qualifications for this position and who require accommodations to apply should contact Human Resources at jobs@vermontlaw.edu. Vermont Law and Graduate School strives to raise the bar for being an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, place of birth, marital status, disability, veteran's status, HIV status, pregnancy, genetic information, health insurance status, and crime victim status.

PM20