Job description

Salary: $113,824.00 Annually

Location: Cedar Rapids, IA

Job Type: Full-Time Board-Approved

Job Number: 02714

Division: Academic Affairs

Department: Communication/English/Media

Opening Date: 01/12/2026

JOB GOAL:

To advance the college’s mission, vision, principles, values and strategic initiatives through continuous improvement decisions.

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:
The Dean of Communication, English, and Media, supported by an associate dean, provides strategic leadership, vision, and administrative oversight for the Communication, English, and Media disciplines at Kirkwood Community College. This role ensures student success by promoting quality instruction, faculty development, and community partnerships aligned with the college’s mission. The Dean promotes communication, community, and collaboration within the department, and works collaboratively with other deans in the Liberal Arts and CTE program areas.

The work schedule for this position will typically be Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5pm.

UNIVERSAL CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Advocate for Continual Improvement- empowering each other to identify opportunities for excellence.
• Collaborate with Mutual Accountability- working together with a willingness to take ownership and account for our actions.
• Champion Service- anticipating needs and create a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive environment.
• Perseverance- commitment to excellence even in the face of adversity or delay in achieving success.
• Lead- regardless of title, through positive influence.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide leadership and vision in the development and implementation of the department’s goals and priorities and facilitate their achievement.

• Recruit, hire, and evaluate faculty and staff within the Communication, English, and Media department.
• Provide professional development opportunities and mentorship for faculty.
• Direct the preparation of the annual budget for the department and supervise its implementation.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to enhance curriculum offerings and student success.
• Collaborate with other academic departments to support divisional goals.
• Collaborate with student support services to address barriers to student success.
• Promote equity and inclusiveness in course offerings and student engagement.

• Perform other related work duties as assigned.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

• Be able and willing to represent the College most positively with prospective, former, and current students, clients, suppliers, and the community we serve.
• Demonstrate and promote the College’s core values of Respect, Innovation, Collaboration, and Excellence in all interactions, decisions, and professional responsibilities.
• Must be a self-motivated, energetic, and creative individual with proven leadership, planning, and administrative skills.
• Possess excellent conceptual and planning skills and be able to relate well with other professional educators within the college and at other institutions.
• Possess a working knowledge of educational trends in the field that enable leading the department to meet the emerging educational needs.
• Possess strong human relations skills. Get along with diverse personalities.
• Express oneself clearly and effectively in oral and written form.
• Establish and maintain good team working relationships with students, colleagues, staff, administrators, and the public.
• Welcome, value, and nurture people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, as well as support and promote an environment that accepts differences.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential job duties/responsibilities and performance expectations of the job, which should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES WITH/WITHOUT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:

Position involves working in an office setting. Occasional (10-33%) standing, pushing, pulling and grasping. Frequent (34-66%) reaching and viewing a computer and other types of close visual work. Constant (67-100%) sitting, walking, repetitive motion, talking and hearing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in a discipline represented in the department
• Three years of leadership experience
• Teaching experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Doctorate or terminal degree in a discipline represented in the department or in administration preferred
• Community college experience
• College teaching experience
• Previous experience in curriculum development

EEO/AA STATEMENT:

It is the policy of Kirkwood Community College not to discriminate in its programs, activities, or employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, religion, and actual or potential family, parental or marital status. If you have questions or complaints related to compliance with this policy, please contact the Vice President, Human Resources and Institutional Effectiveness (employees) or the Vice President of Student Services (students), 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404,319-398-5572,[email protected], or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Building, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582, Telephone:(303) 844-5695 FAX: (303) 844-4303, TDD 800-877-8339 Email:[email protected].
WHY KIRKWOOD:
Kirkwood Community College prides itself on fostering a diverse workforce and values unique perspectives throughout its campus community. The college is a convenient, innovative, visionary educational leader striving to remain affordable and accessible. With more than 140 majors and programs, Kirkwood boasts 16,000 annual college-credit students while maintaining one of the lowest tuitions in the state. All degree-seeking students are eligible for federal financial aid and the college offers more than $3 million in scholarships each year to students from all walks of life.

How to apply

Apply now

Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

Benefits

Kirkwood offers a wide range of employee benefits. Read more about them here!