Alan I. Casden Dean`s Chair at Leventhal School of Accounting and Dean, Leventhal School of Accounting

Dean, Leventhal School of Accounting

Who We Are

USC is a leading private research university located in Los Angeles – a global center for arts, technology, and international business. As the city’s largest private employer, responsible for more than $5 billion annually in economic activity in the region, we offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic and diverse environment, in careers that span a broad spectrum of talents and skills across a variety of academic schools and units. As a USC employee, you will enjoy excellent benefits and perks and be a member of the Trojan Family - the faculty, staff, students, and alumni who make USC a great place to work.

The Opportunity

The University of Southern California invites nominations and applications for a visionary leader to serve as Dean of the USC Leventhal School of Accounting. Reporting to the Dean of the Marshall School and serving as the director and chief academic officer of the USC Leventhal School of Accounting, the Dean will set and align strategic priorities and vision with that of the Marshall School of Business. The Dean will support and inspire a dynamic and accomplished faculty and advance research to address opportunities and challenges in accounting education and professional practice. The Dean will continue to build partnerships and promote interdisciplinary efforts that serve the school’s focus on preparing students to be leaders in thought and action. The school seeks an outstanding scholar-leader to build strong relationships, both internally and externally, while valuing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all forms. The Dean must also possess the ability to compellingly represent the school to a variety of audiences both within and beyond the Trojan network.

About the Department

As part of the Marshall School of Business, Leventhal benefits from resources of a large business school while enjoying a tightly knit community within our own school. The USC Leventhal School of Accounting is an innovator in the areas of accounting education and research. Our award-winning faculty design programs for a rigorous educational environment at undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Leventhal offers a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Master of Accounting, Master of Business Taxation, and the newly developed degree awarded jointly by both the Leventhal School and the Marshall School of Business, the Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance. Leventhal also draws talented scholars from across the globe seeking to obtain a Ph.D. in Accounting.

Leventhal alumni and friends are exceptionally supportive of our academic programs. We benefit from the knowledge and skills of multiple advisory groups who energetically provide counsel and advice as well as financial support. Thanks to the generosity of our boards, alumni, and friends, Leventhal has ten endowed professorships and chairs and more than 40 endowed scholarships that complement our relationship and participation with the Marshall School of Business.

At Leventhal, we are committed to creating knowledge and sharing it through leading publications, symposia and in our classrooms. Like Marshall, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are foundational to our overall mission. Leventhal provides a state-of-the-art education in a vibrant urban setting with close ties to the accounting and business communities, in a Pacific Rim location that supports an international focus and continues a long-standing tradition of excellence in accounting.

The Position

Reporting to the Dean of the Marshall School of Business, the Dean of the USC Leventhal School of Accounting will support and promote the efforts of an accomplished faculty, advance scholarship, promote service-based initiatives, develop faculty and staff and champion an environment where all can thrive. The successful candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, fostering relationships with the greater university and professional communities; partner with donors and philanthropic entities to effectively fundraise, and advance the scholarly pursuits and career aspirations of all students. The Dean must possess a commitment to and track record of outcomes fostering a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment based in the USC Unifying Values. The Dean will work with all stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external partners, to build on the school’s strengths as well as identify and implement new initiatives for continued success.

Key Responsibilities and Qualifications Include:

• Nurturing an environment where people look forward to learning, working and serving, and where they feel valued and supported in their efforts

• Collaboratively developing a strategic vision for the school’s future by planning and implementing the initiatives necessary to realize a bold vision

• Advancing the school’s commitment to the Marshall School of Business and the University of Southern California’s priorities and strategic goals

• Building strong relationships with advisors, alumni, and other donors, and leading the school’s fundraising efforts

• Collaborating with fellow Deans on interdisciplinary programs, joint faculty appointments, and new academic initiatives

• Working with the Board of Councilors by keeping the members apprised of strategically important matters, and soliciting and implementing the Board’s advice

• A demonstrated track record of achievement as a strong and collaborative leader and administrator, providing evidence of a capacity to lead the school and partner with stakeholders.

• An ability to effectively manage the school’s programs, financial resources, enrollments, staff, and infrastructure.

• Experience being a strategic and entrepreneurial leader who has high aspirations and ambitions for the quality and reputation of the school and university including the ability to lead, recruit, retain and support a diverse faculty, staff and student body.

• A demonstrated ability to establish and pursue clear strategic priorities, to lead the fundraising effort needed to implement them, and to manage resources effectively to steadily advance those priorities.

• An articulate, enthusiastic, and effective communicator, with a clear capacity to be a successful fundraiser and to work effectively with a broad range of internal and external constituencies.

• A passion for the broad mission of the school and a compelling vision for the important role of the school in the University, our society, and the world.

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

The Candidate for the Dean, Leventhal School of Accounting will have at minimum:

The Dean should have an earned PhD or equivalent experience and possess a record of recognized professional, scholarly, teaching and service achievements that would warrant appointment as a Full Professor at the USC Leventhal School of Accounting.

The budgeted annual salary range that the University of Southern California reasonably expects to pay for the Dean of the USC Leventhal School of Accounting is $450,000 to $600,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

To Apply

Applications should include a detailed curriculum vitae and letter of interest highlighting the applicant’s personal interest and relevant leadership experience. Review of applications will begin on Monday, February 5, 2024 and continue until the position is filled. For any inquiries or nominations, please contact Ellen Palmer, Executive Recruiter, at ellenpal@usc.edu.

Candidates must be U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents residing in the United States.