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Academic Department Chair Jobs (NOW HIRING)

University of San Diego

Department Manager

San Diego, CA

$21.75 - $24.50/hr

... the department chair and department faculty. Duties and Responsibilities: Supervision of Department EAs: * Direct supervision and oversight of academic department Executive Assistants (EAs)

University of San Diego

Department Manager

San Diego, CA · On-site

$5.8K - $6.0K/mo

... the department chair and department faculty. Duties and Responsibilities: Supervision of Department EAs: * Direct supervision and oversight of academic department Executive Assistants (EAs)

AzCEP

$210 - $260/hr

... Chair for Clinical Affairs ... Our Department aims to be the premier academic department of emergency medicine renowned globally ...

New

Davis Chicago

STEM DEPARTMENT CHAIR

Chicago, IL · On-site

Are you an accomplished educator and academic leader passionate about teaching and learning in STEM ... The Role The STEM Department Chair is the academic and instructional leader of the STEM Department ...

New

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How much do academic department chair jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for academic department chair in the United States is $102,706.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,500.00 and $135,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an academic department chair?

Academic Department Chairs are faculty members who lead and manage an academic department within a college or university. They oversee curriculum development, faculty hiring and evaluation, budgeting, and departmental operations. Department Chairs act as a bridge between faculty, students, and higher administration, ensuring that the department meets its educational and research goals. They also represent the department in administrative meetings and play a key role in strategic planning.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as an academic department chair?

To thrive as an Academic Department Chair, you need advanced academic credentials (typically a doctorate), leadership experience, and expertise in your discipline. Familiarity with academic management systems, budgeting tools, and accreditation processes is often required. Exceptional communication, conflict resolution, and strategic planning skills help foster collaboration and drive departmental growth. These abilities are crucial for effectively leading faculty, managing resources, and supporting both student and institutional success.

What are common challenges faced by an academic department chair, and how can they be addressed?

Academic Department Chairs often navigate the complexities of balancing administrative duties with faculty leadership and departmental advocacy. Common challenges include managing faculty conflicts, aligning departmental goals with institutional priorities, and handling budget constraints. Successful Chairs foster open communication, delegate responsibilities effectively, and engage in transparent decision-making to build trust within the department. Additionally, participating in leadership training and seeking mentorship from experienced Chairs can help address these challenges and promote a healthy departmental environment.

What is the difference between Academic Department Chair vs Academic Program Coordinator?

AspectAcademic Department ChairAcademic Program Coordinator
Required CredentialsMaster's or Doctorate in relevant field, leadership experienceBachelor's or Master's, organizational skills
Work EnvironmentHigher education institutions, administrative officesAcademic departments, administrative support roles
Employer & IndustryColleges and universities, academic institutionsColleges, universities, academic departments
Primary ResponsibilitiesOversee faculty, curriculum, departmental strategyAssist in program logistics, coordinate schedules, support faculty

The Academic Department Chair typically holds a leadership role with strategic and administrative responsibilities, requiring advanced credentials and experience. In contrast, the Academic Program Coordinator focuses on supporting program operations and logistics, often with less seniority and credential requirements. Both roles are essential in academic settings but differ in scope and authority.

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Academic Department Chair jobs near you
Infographic showing various Academic Department Chair job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 62% Full Time, and 38% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $102,706 per year, or $49.4 per hour.

Chair, Department of Plastic Surgery

Korn Ferry Executive Search

Irvine, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

Chair, Department of Plastic Surgery

The University of California, Irvine (UCI), in partnership with Korn Ferry, announces a national search for the Chair, Department of Plastic Surgery.

The Chair, Department of Plastic Surgery reports to the Dean of the School of Medicine and is responsible for the effective management of all administrative and operational processes of the Department, providing comprehensive clinical services while supporting the teaching, educational, and research missions of the Department, School of Medicine, and University. This is a unique opportunity to join a top-ranked university and nationally recognized academic department. The new Chair will build upon the strong foundation established by the Department's founding Chair, leveraging the talents of its faculty, staff, trainees, and researchers to further strengthen the Department's academic, clinical, and research programs and enhance its national reputation.

With 10 faculty providers and 25 residents and fellows, the Department of Plastic Surgery provides comprehensive expertise across the full spectrum of plastic and reconstructive surgery, including aesthetic, craniofacial, microsurgery, hand, burn, cancer-related reconstruction, lymphedema, peripheral nerve, brachial plexus, and gender-affirming surgery. Faculty are committed to outstanding clinical care, education, research, and community service while advancing innovation through multidisciplinary collaboration. The Department fully embraces and celebrates the mission of the UCI School of Medicine: Discover. Teach. Heal.

Clinical Programs
Faculty provide care across UCI Health practice locations in Orange, Costa Mesa, Irvine, and Tustin and participate in multidisciplinary clinics that coordinate care across specialties. Recent growth includes multidisciplinary breast and hand programs, with continued expansion planned for peripheral nerve, upper extremity, craniofacial, microvascular, and lymphedema services.
Education
The UCI Plastic Surgery Residency Program was founded in 1969 and began offering integrated residency positions in 2005. The Department achieved departmental status in 2013 and currently trains 22 residents while offering fellowships in Craniofacial Surgery, Microsurgery, and Aesthetic Surgery. Trainees receive broad exposure to all aspects of plastic surgery including craniofacial surgery, advanced microsurgery, hand surgery, brachial plexus reconstruction, lymphedema management, breast reconstruction, aesthetics, and gender-affirming surgery.
Research
The Department maintains an active translational research enterprise through the UCI Center for Tissue Engineering (CTE). Faculty collaborate with investigators across the School of Medicine and the Samueli School of Engineering on regenerative medicine, adipose-derived stem cells, wound healing, scar control, cartilage engineering, biomaterials, and medical device development. Research programs emphasize moving discoveries from bench to bedside through multidisciplinary collaboration.

University of California, Irvine School of Medicine
Ranked among the nation's leading medical schools for research, the UCI School of Medicine is dedicated to advancing medical knowledge through research, education, and high-quality clinical care. Home to 24 academic departments and more than 1,900 faculty members, the School educates more than 500 medical students and trains more than 750 residents and fellows annually through UCI Health and affiliated institutions.

UCI Health
UCI Health is Orange County's only academic health system and comprises a 1,461-bed integrated health system including UCI Medical Center in Orange, the new UCI Health - Irvine campus, four community hospitals, and multiple ambulatory care centers throughout the region. The health system continues to expand through significant investments in clinical care, research, and education, including the Falling Leaves Foundation Medical Innovation Building and the new Irvine medical campus. Scheduled for July 2026, UCI Health will also be opening a 68,000-square-foot Rehabilitation Hospital in partnership with Lifepoint Rehabilitation. Located in Irvine, the facility will function as a stand-alone hospital with 52 beds and is structurally designed for the needs of patients receiving acute inpatient care for stroke, traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, amputation, and other injuries and disorders.

Responsibilities
1.Overall responsibility, authority and reporting relationship
The responsibilities and authority of the Department Chair are established by the Dean of the School of Medicine with the concurrence of the Chief Executive Officer for UCI Health. The Chair serves at the discretion of the Dean and reports primarily and directly to the Dean. The Chair also works collaboratively with the President/CEO of UCI Health regarding the Department's clinical operations. Important collaborative relationships include, but are not limited to, the Vice Dean of Faculty/Clinical Affairs, the Vice Deans for Research and Education, other department chairs, institute and center directors, and UCI Health leadership. The Chair is responsible for the strategic planning and overall direction of the Department, ensuring alignment with the missions and strategic priorities of the School of Medicine and UCI Health. Clinical department chairs shall comply with the Medical Staff Bylaws and all applicable University and UCI Health policies.

2.Faculty
The Chair is responsible for the recruitment, appointment, development, evaluation, compensation, and retention of faculty in alignment with the strategic priorities of the School of Medicine and UCI Health. In accordance with University policy, the Chair nominates faculty for appointment, advancement, promotion, and merit review, while fostering an environment that supports mentorship, collaboration, professional growth, and academic excellence.
The Chair oversees faculty activities across the clinical, educational, research, and service missions of the Department and is accountable for faculty productivity and academic performance.

3.Promotion of teamwork
The Chair is responsible for promoting teamwork, collaboration, and transparency within the Department and across the School of Medicine and UCI Health. Particular emphasis should be placed on strengthening multidisciplinary partnerships that advance clinical care, education, and translational research.

4.Educational and training programs
The Chair is responsible for the Department's medical student, residency, fellowship, and continuing medical education programs. Working closely with residency and fellowship program directors, the Chair ensures the continued excellence of the Department's educational programs, supports innovation in surgical education, and promotes recruitment and development of outstanding trainees. The Chair works collaboratively with the Vice Dean for Education and Graduate Medical Education leadership to advance institutional educational priorities and maintain accreditation standards.

5.Research programs
The Chair is responsible for fostering a vibrant research enterprise that advances basic, translational, and clinical investigation. Working closely with Department faculty and the Vice Deans for Research, the Chair will promote interdisciplinary collaborations, expand extramural funding opportunities, recruit research-focused faculty, and strengthen partnerships across the School of Medicine, the UCI Center for Tissue Engineering, and the broader University.

6.Patient care programs
The Chair serves as the clinical leader of the Department and works closely with the Dean, UCI Health executive leadership, and Medical Staff leadership to ensure the delivery of outstanding patient care. The Chair is responsible for maintaining appropriate standards of care, supporting quality improvement initiatives, promoting programmatic growth, and expanding multidisciplinary clinical services across Plastic Surgery. The Chair will continue to advance nationally recognized programs in reconstructive surgery, microsurgery, craniofacial surgery, hand surgery, peripheral nerve surgery, breast reconstruction, burn reconstruction, and lymphedema surgery while supporting continued growth across the UCI Health enterprise.

7.Facilities
The Chair is responsible for the planning, allocation, and effective utilization of departmental space in support of the Department's clinical, educational, research, and administrative missions. The Chair works collaboratively with School of Medicine and UCI Health leadership to identify future space needs and ensure that departmental resources are used efficiently and strategically.

8.Finances and budget
The Chair is responsible for the financial affairs and long-term fiscal stability of the Department, including budget development, financial oversight, resource allocation, management/leadership of the Department's compensation plan, and strategic planning. The Chair will ensure that departmental resources, including Clinical Integration revenue, are aligned with institutional priorities while supporting growth across the Department's clinical, educational, and research missions. The Chair works collaboratively with School of Medicine and UCI Health leadership to identify opportunities for programmatic growth, operational efficiency, philanthropy, and other strategic initiatives that strengthen the Department's financial position.

9.Remuneration of departmental personnel
The Chair is responsible for recommending faculty compensation, including base salary and incentive compensation, in accordance with University of California policies, the Health Sciences Compensation Plan, and School of Medicine guidelines. Recommendations should recognize individual contributions to the clinical, educational, research, and service missions of the Department.

10.Cultural values of the institution
The Chair serves as a role model for the cultural values of UCI Health and the School of Medicine and is expected to foster a culture grounded in accountability, respect, integrity, innovation, service, and excellence. The Chair will promote an environment characterized by collaboration, transparency, professionalism, mentorship, and mutual respect while supporting organizational priorities and advancing a culture where faculty, trainees, and staff can thrive.

11.Community engagement and philanthropy
The Chair will work collaboratively with University Advancement, community partners, industry, alumni, and philanthropic supporters to strengthen the Department's missions of discovery, education, and patient care. The Chair is expected to cultivate relationships that enhance the Department's visibility, expand philanthropic support, and create opportunities for continued programmatic growth and innovation.

Eligibility
MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent degree.
Board certification in Plastic Surgery.
Eligible for, or currently hold, a medical license in the State of California.
Meet requirements for appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor in an appropriate Health Sciences or Clinical X faculty series.
Leadership skills and vision for advancing the clinical, educational, and research missions of the Department of Plastic Surgery.
Strong record of scholarly achievement demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications, research productivity, and, preferably, extramural funding.
Demonstrated ability to recruit, mentor, and retain outstanding faculty, trainees, and staff.
Excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative leadership style with the ability to work effectively across a complex academic health system.

Preferred Experience
A distinguished record of leadership within an academic medical center.
Demonstrated commitment to excellence in patient care, education, research, and service.
Experience fostering multidisciplinary clinical and research collaborations.
Experience leading strategic growth initiatives and program development.
Demonstrated commitment to faculty development, mentorship, and succession planning.
An enterprise-minded approach with the ability to balance departmental priorities with those of the School of Medicine and UCI Health.

Application Procedures
Interested applicants are invited to complete an online application profile and upload their curriculum vitae electronically through the University of California, Irvine Academic Personnel Recruit system. Initial application materials must include a detailed curriculum vitae and a letter of interest that highlights the applicant's personal vision and relevant leadership experience. To ensure full consideration, applications must be submitted electronically in confidence, to: https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF10156.

The following materials constitute a complete application:
Cover Letter
Curriculum Vitae
Statement of Current and Future Research Plans
Teaching Statement - See guidance for writing a reflective teaching statement
Reference requirements - Three (3) references (contact information only)

For general inquiries, nominations, or to learn more about the position, please contact Julie Mozes, MBA at Korn Ferry - julie.mozes@kornferry.com. Review of applications will continue until the position has been filled.

Faculty Appointment
This position is being recruited in the following faculty titles. Appointment in the appropriate title series will be based upon the candidate's qualifications.
Criteria for the Professor in the Health Sciences Series:
Health Sciences Clinical Professor series faculty engage in scholarly or creative activities which derive from and support their primary responsibilities in clinical teaching and professional and service activities.
Criteria for the Professor of Clinical "X" Series:
The incumbent will be expected to conduct substantial and meaningful research; teach residents and medical students; have cli...

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