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Department Chair Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

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Department Chair information

See Indiana salary details

$63.3K

$97.7K

$147.5K

How much do department chair jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for department chair in Indiana is $97,732.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,900.00 and $128,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How hard is being a department chair?

Being a department chair involves significant responsibilities, including managing faculty, overseeing budgets, and setting strategic goals, which can be demanding and require strong leadership and organizational skills. The role often involves long hours, conflict resolution, and balancing administrative duties with academic priorities.

What are some of the primary challenges faced by a Department Chair in balancing administrative duties with faculty leadership?

As a Department Chair, one common challenge is effectively managing administrative responsibilities—such as budgeting, scheduling, and policy compliance—while also serving as a leader and advocate for faculty and students. Balancing these often competing demands requires strong organizational skills, clear communication, and the ability to delegate tasks appropriately. Department Chairs must also foster a collaborative and inclusive departmental culture, all while advancing academic goals and supporting professional development among faculty. This dual role can be demanding but offers opportunities for meaningful impact within the institution.

What jobs in the US pay 300,000 a year?

For a Department Chair, salaries of $300,000 or more are common in large academic institutions, especially in medical, business, or law schools, where leadership roles often include substantial compensation. Other high-paying roles in the US that can reach or exceed this level include specialized physicians, corporate executives, and certain technology or finance professionals with extensive experience and advanced skills.

What is the job of a department chair?

A department chair is responsible for overseeing academic departments within an educational institution, managing faculty, developing curriculum, and ensuring departmental goals are met. They often handle administrative tasks, budget management, and serve as a liaison between faculty and higher administration.

How to become chair of a department?

To become a department chair, candidates typically need extensive experience in their academic or professional field, strong leadership skills, and a record of service or research. They often advance from faculty positions, demonstrate administrative abilities, and are selected through a formal nomination or application process within their institution.

What are Department Chairs?

Department Chairs are faculty members who lead and manage academic departments at colleges or universities. They are responsible for overseeing faculty, setting departmental goals, managing budgets, coordinating course offerings, and representing their department within the institution. Department Chairs also serve as a liaison between faculty, administration, and students, ensuring the smooth operation and development of the department. Their role often involves balancing administrative duties with teaching and research responsibilities.

What is the difference between Department Chair vs Program Director?

AspectDepartment ChairProgram Director
CredentialsTypically requires advanced degrees in the field, often with academic credentialsUsually holds relevant degrees and certifications, often with specialized training in program management
Work EnvironmentAcademic institutions, overseeing faculty and departmental operationsEducational or training programs, managing curriculum and student outcomes
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, colleges, academic settingsEducational institutions, nonprofit organizations, training centers
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for leadership roles within academic departmentsCompared for overseeing specific programs or courses within institutions

The main difference is that a Department Chair leads an entire academic department, managing faculty and departmental strategy, while a Program Director focuses on managing specific programs or courses within an institution. Both roles require relevant credentials and involve leadership, but their scope and responsibilities differ.

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

To thrive as a Department Chair, you typically need advanced academic credentials (often a PhD), leadership experience, and a strong record of teaching and research in your discipline. Familiarity with academic management systems, budgeting tools, and accreditation processes is important, as are any relevant professional certifications. Exceptional communication, conflict resolution, and team-building skills help foster a positive departmental culture and manage faculty and student needs. These skills and qualities are critical for effective departmental leadership, strategic planning, and ensuring academic excellence.
What are popular job titles related to Department Chair jobs in IN? For Department Chair jobs in IN, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Department Chair jobs near you
Infographic showing various Department Chair job openings in Indiana as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 60% Full Time, 38% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $97,732 per year, or $47 per hour.

Department Chair (Non-Tenured), Indianapolis Campus

Indiana University Academic Positions

Indianapolis, IN

Other

Re-posted 4 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

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