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Academic Chair Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Department Chair provides academic leadership and operational oversight for all Adjunct Faculty and Dual Credit Credentialed Instructors across all campuses and service center locations. This ...

... the Academic Affairs Council, and the Provost Council; • Oversee the assessment of core ... chairs and deans in the development of academic policies and procedures; • Teach at least one ...

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How much do academic chair jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for academic chair in the United States is $18.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.90 and $27.40 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Academic Chair, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Academic Chair, you need advanced academic credentials (typically a doctoral degree), leadership experience, and a strong track record in teaching and research. Familiarity with academic management systems, accreditation processes, and budgeting software is also important. Excellent communication, conflict resolution, and strategic planning skills set top candidates apart. These competencies are vital for effectively leading faculty, advancing departmental goals, and ensuring academic excellence.

What are some common challenges faced by an Academic Chair when leading a department?

Academic Chairs often navigate the challenge of balancing administrative duties with supporting faculty and advancing departmental goals. They must manage resource allocation, resolve conflicts, and ensure clear communication between faculty, staff, and upper administration. Additionally, Chairs are responsible for fostering a positive work environment while driving initiatives such as curriculum development and research priorities. Effective leadership, adaptability, and strong interpersonal skills are key to overcoming these challenges and ensuring departmental success.

What is the difference between Academic Chair vs Department Chair?

AspectAcademic ChairDepartment Chair
CredentialsTypically requires advanced degrees (Master's or Doctorate) in a relevant fieldUsually holds a similar academic background, often with additional administrative experience
Work EnvironmentPrimarily academic settings within colleges or universities, overseeing academic programsSimilar environment, focusing on departmental management and faculty oversight
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly used in higher education institutions to denote leadership of academic unitsWidely used interchangeably with Academic Chair, especially in universities

Both roles involve academic leadership, faculty oversight, and curriculum development. The terms are often used interchangeably, but 'Academic Chair' may emphasize broader academic program leadership, while 'Department Chair' often refers to managing a specific department within a college or university.

What are Academic Chairs?

An Academic Chair is a senior faculty member who leads a specific department or academic unit within a college or university. The Chair is responsible for administrative duties such as managing faculty, overseeing curriculum development, budgeting, and representing the department in institutional matters. They also play a key role in setting academic priorities, supporting faculty and student needs, and fostering a positive educational environment. Academic Chairs often continue to teach and conduct research while fulfilling their leadership responsibilities.
More about Academic Chair jobs
What states have the most Academic Chair jobs? States with the most job openings for Academic Chair jobs include:
Infographic showing various Academic Chair job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 18% Full Time, 81% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 72% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 27% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,368 per year, or $18.9 per hour.

Department Chair (Non-Tenured), Indianapolis Campus

Indiana University Academic Positions

Kokomo, IN • On-site

Other

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

Position Details
Title Department Chair (Non-Tenured), Indianapolis Campus Appointment Status Non-Tenure Track Department IU Indianapolis School of Nursing Location Indianapolis Position Summary
Indiana University School of Nursing (IUSON) is seeking exceptional candidates for the position of Department Chair, Indianapolis campus. This is an outstanding opportunity to be a part of a legacy of nursing excellence and leadership. As Indiana's premiere urban Carnegie R1 university with major medical centers on or near our campus, our in-person work arrangements facilitate access to an outstanding array of institutional resources, including a robust onboarding program and a high degree of engagement and networking. The Department Chair is responsible for the operational success of a Department on the Indianapolis campus within the IUSON core. The Department Chair has responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the department to ensure success. This position reports to the Associate Dean, Indianapolis.

The Department Chair is a 12-month appointment with workload at 60% administrative, 20% research or scholarly activities, 10% teaching, and 10% service.

This administrator has primary responsibility as the operational leader for the department on the appointed campus including:
  • Implementing programs to recruit, orient, retain, mentor, and ensure the success of faculty in alignment with strategic priorities for the desired mix of faculty to fulfill the teaching, research, and service missions of the department, campus, and core school.
  • Facilitating a balance in faculty workloads commensurate with faculty appointments (full-time, part-time, adjunct) and faculty track and rank.
  • Ensuring faculty meet expectations including preparation of course materials, delivery of courses, productivity in research or scholarship, and active participation in service at the institutional (school, campus, university) and external levels (state, region, national, international).
  • Ensuring faculty understand how to contribute to achieving individual, department, campus, and core strategic goals.
  • Monitoring and evaluating faculty performance outcomes (teaching, research, service) for annual evaluations and promotion and tenure.
  • Providing coaching to faculty experiencing emergent teaching and professional issues.
  • Coordinating activities of the department to ensure operational success of the School of Nursing's mission, goals, and strategic priorities in collaboration with other academic administrators.
  • Preparing reports bearing on departmental responsibilities.
  • Provides input on resource needs.
  • Representing the department within the School of Nursing, campus, and university and to external constituents.
  • Accountability for the departmental faculty performance metrics related to delivery of courses, research and scholarship, and service.
Basic Qualifications
  • Earned doctorate, nursing major preferred (e.g., PhD, DNP), and master's in nursing, if doctorate is not in nursing (e.g., EdD).
  • Licensed or eligible to be licensed as a registered nurse in Indiana.
  • Eligible for appointment in a rank at or above faculty who will be supervised.
  • Demonstrated experience in an academic environment.

Department Contact for Questions
Richard Griffin 317-274-2124
Additional Qualifications Salary and Rank Special Instructions
The following documents must be submitted on-line to: Letter of application/Cover Letter (2-page limit)Curriculum vitae. Statement of Research and Teaching/Personal Statement (5-page limit) outlining achievements and goals in teaching, research, and service e.g. https://academicaffairs.indianapolis.iu.edu/Faculty-Affairs/PromotionTenure/guidelines-and-standards.Contact list with six references
For additional information, please contact Dr. Janet S. Carpenter (email carpentj@iu.edu or phone 317-278-6065). Additional information may also be found on the web site at: nursing.iu.edu.
For Best Consideration Date Expected Start Date 05/01/2026 Posting Number IU-101345-2025