Campus Dean Mason Korea

Department: Office of the Provost - Academic Affairs

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Mason Korea - Songdo, South Korea

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Financial Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

Mason Korea was established in 2014 as part of the Incheon Global Campus, a government-sponsored development that aims to become the best global education hub in Northeast Asia. Mason Korea now offers U.S. degrees in six undergraduate disciplines: business, computation and data sciences, economics, global affairs, conflict analysis and resolution, and computer game design. Approved by the Korean Ministry of Education, the degree programs offered afford students the unique opportunity to spend three years at Mason Korea in Songdo and one year in the U.S. at Mason in Fairfax, Virginia. When these students graduate, they receive the same degree as all students from George Mason University.

As of September 2023, Mason Korea enrolled over 700 undergraduate students, and has 46 full-time faculty, 25 part-time faculty, close to 50 staff members, and an annual budget of $11.5 million.

Mason Korea is a branch campus of the University accredited within SACSCOC’s accreditation of the University. Per South Korea law, Mason Korea is as an LLC with its own governance structure, which is ultimately accountable to the University.

About the Position:

George Mason University seeks an innovative and entrepreneurial leader to serve as the next Campus Dean, Mason Korea. Reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice President of George Mason University, the Campus Dean will provide strategic direction and vision for the programs, services, and operation of the campus. Located in Incheon, South Korea and working closely with the University’s leadership in Fairfax, the Campus Dean identifies and develops meaningful partnerships across corporate, government, and not-for-profit sectors and identifies opportunities to advance the University’s mission and strategic objectives through innovative degree programs and impactful research projects.

The Campus Dean of George Mason University Korea (MK) is selected and appointed by the Mason Korea LLC Board and reports directly to the Provost and Executive Vice President of George Mason University. The Campus Dean is responsible for leading and managing all aspects of campus operations in full alignment with the main campus in Virginia; leading in the development of academic offerings and research programs in close collaboration with the U.S. campus faculty, staff, and academic leadership; developing and expanding learning and career opportunities for students; promoting faculty development inclusive of research, teaching and service; promoting strategic partnerships with industry and government to advance research, executive education, and community partnerships; leading the campus’s development, marketing and recruitment efforts; promoting faculty and staff wellbeing; implementing university and program policies; facilitating and supporting faculty and student exchanges and staff coordination with the main campus; and other related duties as assigned.

Responsibilities:

As Mason Korea enters its second decade, University leaders see a number of strategic priorities and opportunities for its new leader:

• Continue to realize the strategic importance of Mason Korea in the context of the University’s vision of “global engagement,” a central element of its strategic direction;
• Optimize enrollments within the parameters established by the South Korea Ministry of Education for the Incheon Global Campus, advocating for the strategic interests of the University relative to the broader development of ICG;
• Continue to strengthen Mason Korea’s national and regional presence, visibility, and reputation;
• Increase Mason Korea’s engagement with the South Korea corporate sector to create opportunities for research and education collaborations, philanthropy, internships, and employment;
• Further position Mason Korea as the linchpin for a broader University strategy of engagement across Asia; and
• More dynamically engage the Campus in the academic affairs of the University in terms of curriculum development, faculty participation, and collaborative research and creative activity.

Required Qualifications:

• An earned doctorate and academic accomplishments that merit appointment as a tenured full professor alongside every other school/college/campus dean at George Mason;
• International leadership experience and/or evidence of the ability to appreciate and work across different cultures;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; sound judgment, tact, and relationship skills;
• Administrative experience at a young, dynamic, leanly resourced organization like Mason Korea;
• The ability to create and sustain a climate of excellence in teaching, research, service, and scholarship;
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and equity and the inter-cultural intelligence needed to be successful in an international context; and
• A record of establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with multiple constituencies including governance boards.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Significant experience working in a public, four-year institution;
• Some direct experience working with an international branch campus; and
• Understanding of international education and work with branch campuses; ability to engage effectively with external constituents.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Campus Dean Mason Korea at https://jobs.gmu.edu/, complete and submit the online application to include a CV and letter of interest. The letter of interest should reflect how a candidate's qualifications and experience match those described in this leadership profile.  

George Mason University has retained Opus Partners to support this recruitment. Craig Smith, Partner, Katie Dean, Associate Partner, and Abigail Maynard, Senior Associate are leading the search. Inquiries, applications, and nominations should be sent to abigail.maynard@opuspartners.net. The search process will unfold with the greatest possible attention to candidate confidentiality. 

Posting Open Date: February 27, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by: March 15, 2024

Open Until Filled?:  Yes