The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine seeks a collaborative and visionary leader to serve as Chair of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences (VCS). The ideal candidate will have experience leading clinical faculty, fostering a high-performing, inclusive and supportive academic environment, and driving strategic initiatives that enhance veterinary education, research, and service.

Position Overview

The Department Chair serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of the department, reporting to the Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. The Chair will provide strategic leadership to advance the departmentâ™s mission in teaching/clinical training, research, and service. This position oversees approximately $20 million in combined Foundation Endowments and Philanthropic Demand Funds. The Chair will collaborate with faculty, staff, and external stakeholders to foster excellence, innovation, and growth within the department.

This is a full-time position available as a tenure-track or contract (non-tenure) appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor. The final rank and terms of appointment will be based on the candidateâ™s qualifications and experience in alignment with collegiate and university policies.

Key Responsibilities

• Representation and Leadership:
  Serve as the key representative for the department within the college, leadership councils, and with external stakeholders, fostering strong relationships and balancing the departmentâ™s interests with those of the College and University. 
• Policy and Planning:
  Contribute to the creation and implementation of collegiate policies within the department. Actively engage in strategic planning, ensuring the department's initiatives align with broader college and university goals. Participate in the development of interdepartmental and intercollegiate programs.
• Budget Management:
  Oversee the departmentâ™s budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources from various sources. Anticipate opportunities and risks, taking proactive measures to address challenges and leverage potential funding opportunities.
• Resource Allocation:
  Manage the distribution of all departmental resourcesâ”including fiscal, human, facilities, and equipmentâ”while delegating administrative responsibilities where appropriate to ensure optimal functionality and efficiency.
• Fundraising Support:
  Support and guide departmental fundraising efforts, aligning them with the overall college and university fundraising goals to enhance departmental resources.
• Faculty Engagement:
  Foster an environment that sets realistic expectations and provides resources for faculty and staff to succeed individually and as a team, all while ensuring alignment with the collegeâ™s mission.
• Communication:
  Serve as the primary conduit of communication between the departmentâ™s faculty, college administration, and other university units. Ensure effective and transparent flow of information within and beyond the department.
• Faculty Recruitment and Development:
  Lead efforts to recruit, retain, and develop faculty who contribute to the departmentâ™s success in teaching, research, and service. Build a cohesive, high-performing faculty team that aligns with the departmentâ™s goals.
• Faculty and Staff Mentorship:
  Collaborate with the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs to provide mentorship and support, promoting career development and enhancing the work environment for faculty and staff.
• Strategic Oversight:
  Develop and implement departmental objectives that further the collegeâ™s strategic plan. Establish and monitor key performance indicators to assess progress toward departmental goals and their impact on the broader college mission.
• Educational Leadership:
  Partner with the Senior Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs and the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs to assign teaching responsibilities, ensuring the departmentâ™s educational contributions meet high standards of quality and efficiency.
• Research Development:
  Work alongside the Associate Dean for Research to provide leadership in developing the departmentâ™s research programs. Advocate for and assist in securing the necessary resources and facilities to maintain and expand research initiatives.
• Service and Clinical Programs:
  Collaborate with the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs to oversee and enhance the departmentâ™s clinical programs, ensuring they are of high quality, accessible, and aligned with the departmentâ™s mission.

Required Qualifications

• DVM or equivalent degree.
• Demonstrated excellence in clinical service.
• Demonstrated excellence in research and/or teaching in veterinary medicine.
• A minimum of five years of leadership experience in an academic or clinical setting.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a track record of successful collaboration across diverse partners.
• Experience in strategic planning, budget management, and resource allocation.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing academic environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Veterinary Specialty Board certification and/or PhD.
• Ten years of experience in veterinary academia, with demonstrated contributions to veterinary education, research, and clinical service.
• Experience securing philanthropic funding for strategic initiatives in nonprofit or higher education settings.

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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