Employer: American Jewish University, AJU

Job Title: Associate Dean of Academic Operations and Administration, Masor School

Status: Full Time, (35/hours per week) Exempt

Location: In-Person, 4/week ( 3 Sherman Oaks/ 1 Simi Valley). Friday Remote

Reports To: Dean, Masor School

About American Jewish University

American Jewish University (AJU)’s mission is singularly focused on the future of Jewish life in North America—training and educating the next generation of rabbis, educators, professionals, and lay leaders, and creating innovative, dynamic pathways for Jewish learning and living. With campuses in Sherman Oaks, Beverly Hills, and Simi Valley, CA, along with distance education programs that reach learners across the nation and around the world, AJU is a private, nonprofit institution of higher education offering degree-granting and for-credit academic programs, as well as community-based (non-formal academic) learning opportunities.

AJU has two schools: the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, which offers an in-person MA in Rabbinic Studies and ordains Conservative Rabbis; and the Masor School for Jewish Education and Leadership (e.g, the Masor School), which has online early childhood educational programming at the BA, MA, EdD degrees and certificate-levels, an EdD in Jewish Education and Communal Leadership, and the Jewish Learning Experience, which delivers for-credit online supplemental undergraduate programming to high school students and teens nationwide. The 2025-26 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) student enrollment was 245.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Dean of the Masor School, the Associate Dean of Academic Operations and Administration serves as the Masor School's senior operational and administrative leader, providing leadership for the School's academic administration, operational management, and strategic implementation. Working in close partnership with the Dean, the Associate Dean translates the Dean's vision and strategic priorities into well-organized, student-centered systems, processes, and initiatives that support academic excellence, faculty success, student success, and institutional effectiveness.

This individual will be primarily responsible for the administration and operations of the Masor School's two doctoral programs, including oversight of academic policies and procedures, academic advisement, student progression, dissertation processes, faculty coordination, assessment activities, and cross-functional collaboration with university offices. The Associate Dean also supports broader Masor School operations by leading administrative initiatives, improving operational processes, managing academic workflows, coordinating faculty and student communications, and advancing strategic projects that strengthen the Masor School's overall efficiency.

This is first and foremost an administrative leadership position. The Associate Dean will also carry a limited teaching load, normally no more than two or three courses per academic year, and may chair or serve on dissertation committees as assigned by the Dean. These assignments will be based on institutional needs and the individual’s expertise.

The successful candidate is a collaborative, solutions-oriented leader with exceptional organizational, project management, and verbal and written communication skills who thrives in a mission-driven, collaborative, and fast-paced environment.

Masor School Operational Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior advisor and operational partner to the Dean, providing leadership and implementation support for the Masor School's strategic priorities and day-to-day operations.
• Provide leadership for the day-to-day academic and administrative operations of the Masor School, ensuring efficient, consistent, and high-quality processes.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve administrative systems, policies, procedures, and workflows that support faculty, staff, and students.
• Lead operational planning for the academic calendar, scheduling, faculty assignments, and other academic processes.
• Collaborate with AJU departments, including Registrar Services, Academic Affairs, Provosts’ Office, Communications, Financial Aid, and Accounting, to ensure seamless support for Masor School operations and student services.
• Create and prepare reports, analyses, and operational metrics to support strategic planning and informed decision-making.
• Maintain documentation and records necessary for accreditation, compliance, and institutional reporting.
• Support budget planning, resource management, and operational initiatives in collaboration with the Dean.
• Lead operational administrative projects that improve efficiency, student experience, and academic effectiveness.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes, strengthen communication, and enhance administrative services.
• Coordinate Masor School assessment activities, program review processes, and data collection to support continuous improvement.
• Support new program implementation and operational planning for Masor School initiatives.
• Represent the Masor School on university committees and cross-functional initiatives, as assigned.
• Teach up to three courses per academic year and/or chair or serve on dissertation committees, as assigned by the Dean.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the University.

Doctoral Program Operational Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive operational leadership for the Masor School's two doctoral programs.
• Oversee and support the doctoral academic advisors, including creating and monitoring key performance indicators for success.
• Liaise with Internal Review Board (IRB) Chair and Committee members on a regular basis.
• Oversee all administrative aspects of the doctoral student lifecycle, including admissions coordination, onboarding, registration, academic advising, academic milestones, dissertation progression, graduation clearance, and student records.
• Ensure consistent implementation of doctoral policies, procedures, academic standards, and timelines.
• Monitor student progress and coordinate timely interventions to promote student success and degree completion.
• Manage dissertation administration, including committee appointments, proposal approvals, milestone tracking, oral defenses, final submissions, and completion requirements.
• Chair or serve on dissertation committees, as assigned by the Dean.
• Serve as the primary administrative resource for doctoral students, dissertation chairs, committee members, and faculty advisors.
• Coordinate doctoral program communications and ensure students receive timely, accurate information regarding program requirements and expectations.
• Coordinate faculty participation in doctoral instruction, advising, dissertation supervision, and committee service.
• Support faculty onboarding, scheduling, workload coordination, and communication related to doctoral program operations.
• Facilitate collaboration among faculty and university partners to ensure effective delivery of doctoral programs.
• Ensure doctoral program operations align with university policies, accreditation standards, and regulatory requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

• Terminal degree (PhD or EdD) in education or a related field from an accredited institution. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Seven or more years of progressively responsible leadership or administrative experience in higher education.
• Minimum of three years of teaching experience in higher education, including graduate-level instruction in online or hybrid formats.
• Demonstrated experience administering graduate or doctoral academic programs, strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of academic operations, higher education administration, and student lifecycle management.
• Exceptional project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and complex projects in a collaborative environment.
• Experience using data to support operational planning and continuous improvement.
• Must be able to maintain predicable and reliable attendance.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Must be able to work occasional evenings and on weekends, including holidays.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with doctoral program administration, dissertation management, and graduate academic policies.
• Proficiency in data analysis and familiarity with learning management systems (e.g., Canvas) and student information systems (e.g., Populi).
• Experience supporting accreditation, assessment, and institutional effectiveness initiatives.
• Familiarity with Jewish education, nonprofit higher education, or mission-driven academic organizations.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Oversee the (part-time) Doctoral Academic Advisors.
• Partner with the Masor School’s Associate Director of Academic and Faculty Services for adjunct faculty support and training.
• Coordinate the work for doctoral faculty teaching assignments, dissertation chairing, and committee service in collaboration with the Dean.

Physical Requirements

• The role requires the ability to remain standing or sitting for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to lift, push, pull and carry objects (15 lbs.), such as files and office supplies.
• Travel: This position requires infrequent travel for attending or presenting at professional and academic conferences.

Compensation

• Salary Range: $130,000 - $140,000 annually.
• American Jewish University offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, which may include health, dental, and vision insurance; retirement plan participation; paid time off; and other employee benefits.

Application & Selection Timeline

• Application Deadline: October 1, 2026
• Application Review: A selection committee will review all applications and evaluate candidates based on their qualifications and alignment with the position.
• Initial Interviews: Selected candidates will be invited to participate in a remote video interview on or around October 16, 2026.
• Finalist Interviews: Based on the committee’s recommendations, finalists will be invited to interview in person in Los Angeles on or around November 13, 2026. A final selection will be made following these interviews.
• Projected Start Date: January 2027.

Please note that this job description is not meant to cover or include all the tasks, duties, and responsibilities the employee may be required to perform, and may be subject to change at the company’s discretion, with or without notice or contemporaneous update to this document.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to the extent required by and in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law; contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodation. Nothing in this job description modifies the at-will nature of employment. If you require accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact hr@aju.edu.

American Jewish University (AJU) is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all forms and areas of the university. Please visit our full diversity statement at https://aju.edu/. 

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