Dean of the Robert J. Grappone School of Business and Innovation

Saint Anselm College seeks a visionary, entrepreneurial, and mission-driven leader to serve as the inaugural Dean of the Robert J. Grappone School of Business and Innovation. Saint Anselm was founded in 1889 by Benedictine monks and is ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the nation. The College is coming off four consecutive cycles of enrollment growth, including the largest first-year class in its history. Under its strategic plan, Ascent to the Hilltop – Vision 2030, Saint Anselm is building toward 2,500 students organized in three purpose-driven schools. The new School will join the three-year-old Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences and the new School of Arts and Sciences to complete the College's academic reorganization. The School brings together the departments of Economics and Business, Computer Science, and Mathematics, which have a strong record of working across disciplines. The School has 20 tenure-track faculty, more than 570 FTE students, and a $3.5 million operating budget. Its mission is to form innovative, socially responsible, and ethical leaders for the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
The Dean reports to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and is the School's chief academic and administrative officer. As founding leader, the Dean has the rare chance to build a new academic enterprise from the ground up. Working with faculty, the Dean will shape the School's mission, identity, and first strategic plan, and will design an administrative structure that respects each department's control over its curriculum while encouraging innovation and growth. The Dean will lead the School through ACBSP accreditation and launch distinctive graduate degree and certificate programs. The role also includes building partnerships with employers and community organizations to expand internships, research, and career opportunities for students. With the College's advancement team, the Dean will raise support from alumni, corporations, and foundations, create the School's first Advisory Board, and advocate for a dedicated new space. The Dean will also serve on the College's academic leadership team and Deans Council.
The ideal candidate will hold an earned doctorate or equivalent terminal degree, with credentials meriting appointment as a tenured faculty member in one of the School's disciplines. Candidates should have a successful record of academic leadership as a dean, associate dean, chair, director, or in an equivalent role, including hiring and supporting faculty and staff, building programs, and managing budgets. A record of successful fundraising and alumni engagement is needed. Experience with ACBSP accreditation and outcomes assessment is valued, as is success in creating new graduate and certificate programs. Candidates should also bring an entrepreneurial, builder's mindset, a collaborative and transparent leadership style, a commitment to shared governance, and a deep appreciation for the liberal arts. Enthusiasm for the College's Catholic, Benedictine mission is essential, including its tradition of hospitality and welcome for all. Outstanding candidates with significant academic credentials and leadership experience in the private, public, or nonprofit sectors will also be considered.
Saint Anselm sits on a New England hilltop overlooking Manchester, New Hampshire's largest city. Manchester is one hour from Boston, close to mountains and the coast, and located in one of the fastest-growing states in the Northeast. The College offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package. Screening begins immediately and continues until an appointment is made.
For best consideration, applicants should submit a CV and a cover letter by November 15, 2026 to: https://driwaterstonehc.com/position/inaugural-dean-saint-anselm-college/
The cover letter should address the applicant's interest in the position, leadership philosophy, and connection to the College's mission.
Successful candidates will be able to assist the college in advancing its Catholic identity and strategic priorities, which include institution-wide diversity and inclusiveness.