The University of Northern Iowa’s David W. Wilson College of Business (Wilson College of Business) seeks an energetic, forward-thinking leader who embraces change and drives progress through creative solutions and strategic vision. The Wilson College of Business (business.uni.edu) is AACSB-accredited, including supplemental accounting program accreditation, having successfully completed its AACSB reaccreditation in 2025, and offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in five departments: Accounting, Economics, Finance, Management, and Marketing & Entrepreneurship, along with MBA and MAcc degrees. With over 100 full-time faculty and staff, approximately 1,500 undergraduate majors and 100 graduate students, the Wilson College of Business is a vibrant academic community. It is recognized as a “Best Business School” by The Princeton Review, listed among U.S News & World Report’s top part-time MBA programs and the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in America as well as named a Military Times Best for Vets: Business School.

The Wilson College of Business has a strong international presence, including strategic alliances with global business schools and delivery of its MBA program in Shanghai. A recent $25 million naming gift has positioned the college to expand ethics education across campus and the community, while building on its legacy of excellence. It is home to Business & Community Services (BCS), a nationally recognized economic outreach unit that engages faculty and students in impactful work across all 99 Iowa counties and across the country, contributing significantly to economic vitality. Please go to https://wlsn-search.uni.edu/ for more information on the search, the university and the Cedar Valley.

As the Wilson College of Business enters an important next phase of growth and strategic direction, the next Dean will inherit both strong assets and an opportunity to shape a unified vision for the future. Innovation, adaptability, and collaborative leadership will be essential to guiding the college through a rapidly evolving business and higher-education landscape.

The next Dean will demonstrate future-focused leadership with the agility to navigate rapid shifts in business education and higher-education ecosystems. The Dean will be expected to:

- Lead strategic planning and innovation, ensuring the Wilson College of Business remains responsive to the evolving landscape of business education and workforce needs.

- Champion student success through recruitment, retention, career readiness, and alumni engagement, emphasizing experiential and applied learning opportunities.

- Oversee academic programs and ensure continued compliance with AACSB accreditation standards and continuous improvement processes.

- Foster a scholarly culture by ensuring academic rigor, leading faculty evaluation processes, and promoting mentoring and professional development to support faculty and staff growth and scholarly productivity.

- Advance philanthropic engagement and deepen corporate, community, and alumni partnerships to expand opportunities and financial sustainability.

- Strengthen financial sustainability and independence through fundraising, philanthropy and entrepreneurial revenue-generating opportunities.

- Strengthen a collaborative, transparent culture that supports trust, shared governance, and constructive communication.

- Represent and advocate for the Wilson College of Business effectively within the university and to external audiences, building partnerships with corporate, community and global stakeholders.

- Expand the Wilson College of Business’ global engagement, including international programs and partnerships.

- Embrace digital transformation and data-informed decision-making in curriculum, pedagogy and operations.

- Support economic and community development initiatives, including grant-funded and service-based programs that enhance Iowa’s economic vitality.

Education Requirements:

- Earned doctorate or terminal degree in business or a related field.

Required Qualifications:

- A distinguished record of teaching, research, and service that demonstrates scholarly achievement sufficient for tenure at the rank of full professor in one of the Wilson College of Business academic departments.

- Demonstrated success in academic administration.

- Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing strategies that promote student success.

- Experience with AACSB accreditation processes and standards.

- Proven experience in building external partnerships and securing resources through fundraising, grant acquisition, or entrepreneurial initiatives.

- Exceptional oral, written, analytical, and interpersonal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Ability to foster a people-centered culture by cultivating strong, trusting relationships with faculty, staff and students.

- Experience leading organizational innovation with an agile and adaptive approach.

- Experience using data-informed decision-making to enhance academic or operational effectiveness.

- Strong potential to champion the Wilson College of Business’ interests with university leadership, the Board of Regents, and legislators building confidence through transparent communication, consistent execution, and creative problem-solving.

- Experience with global engagement and international program delivery.

- Experience supporting and expanding externally funded economic-development and outreach initiatives.

- Terminal degree from an AACSB accredited institution. 

- Demonstrated progression of academic leadership responsibility within a higher education setting.

For more information, please contact Colleen Mulholland, Search Committee Chair, at 319-273-2717 or e-mail at colleen.mulholland@uni.edu. Pre-employment background checks required.

Position Details:

Job Category: Institutional Official 

Service Schedule: Calendar Year

Salary Range: $225,000 - $250,000

Application Instructions: 

All application materials received by January 28, 2026, will be given full consideration. To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. The following materials must be attached when applying:

1) Curriculum Vita
2) Cover Letter

You will be presented with the opportunity to attach multiple documents when completing the application. Before submitting your online job application, make sure that all required materials listed above have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes. If you have questions regarding this application process, please email careers-support@uni.edu or call 319-273-2422.

UNI is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. The University encourages applications from persons of color, women, individuals living with disabilities, and protected veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or any other basis protected by federal and/or state law.

The University offers an excellent benefits package including a vacation plan, employer sponsored retirement plans, health and dental insurance, and life and disability insurance. Benefits package details can be viewed at https://careers.uni.edu/benefits. Application materials received by 1/28/2026 will be given first consideration. For more information or to apply, visit https://careers.uni.edu/. Criminal and other relevant background checks required. UNI is a tobacco free campus.