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Department Chair Jobs (NOW HIRING)

San Jacinto College

Dept Chair, English

Pasadena, TX · On-site

Dept Chair, English - Central Campus FUNCTION: The Department Chair is a leadership position that translates the strategic directions from the Instructional Deans and Strategic Leadership Team into ...

San Jacinto College

Dept Chair, English

Pasadena, TX · On-site

Dept Chair, English - Central Campus FUNCTION: The Department Chair is a leadership position that translates the strategic directions from the Instructional Deans and Strategic Leadership Team into ...

San Jacinto College

Dept Chair, English

Pasadena, TX

The Department Chair is a leadership position that translates the strategic directions from the Instructional Deans and Strategic Leadership Team into practical implementations that affect student ...

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Department Chair information

See salary details

$66.5K

$102.7K

$155K

How much do department chair jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for 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.

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.
More about Department Chair jobs
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Department Chair jobs near you
Infographic showing various Department Chair job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 57% Full Time, 40% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $102,706 per year, or $49.4 per hour.
Department Chair, Nursing

Department Chair, Nursing

Southeastern College

Columbia, SC • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago

Job description

SUMMARY: The Department Chair is a member of the full-time faculty and serves as an academic leader within the nursing programs. The Department Chair reports to the Regional Director of Nursing and interfaces with campus academic personnel and campus presidents for the efficient and effective delivery of their assigned programs. The Department Chair shall be proficient in program administration, curriculum design, instruction, evaluation, student success, and faculty development. The Department Chair will work closely with faculty, staff, and program leaders to ensure curriculum is up to date and maintains the highest standards across the nursing profession. The Department Chair will assist faculty and academic leaders in developing programs and support services to help students succeed when taking the NCLEX examination. The Department Chair may also serve as a Program Director, faculty, and student mentor as needed. The Department Chair must possess strong leadership and communication skills to effectively meet the needs of students, faculty and the healthcare community at the five system campuses.
QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Doctorate in Nursing Education, minimum
  • Current, unrestricted State RN License
  • Full time nursing practice experience, minimum 4 years
  • Familiarity with State Boards of Nursing program requirements for each campus.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Drive program quality by partnering with Program Directors, Deans, Campus Presidents, and the Regional Director of Nursing, while proactively analyzing industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies to lead timely curriculum and course updates.
  • Supervise and write curriculum changes for the program.
  • Conduct regular curriculum meetings with faculty and program directors/coordinators to ensure state board of nursing regulations and accreditation standards in curriculum are achieved.
  • Conduct reviews with faculty to assess program textbooks, training materials, program evaluation tools, student projects, and assignments ensuring completeness of all student records.
  • Maintenance of course control documents (syllabi) for the nursing programs.
  • Maintenance of Canvas Blueprint course shells.
  • Assist in the cultivation of relationships with clinical sites, and evaluate and assure clinical education effectiveness as needed
  • Work with college Librarian to maintain current books, periodicals, and electronic resources relevant to the professional nursing discipline
  • Maintain current knowledge of the professional nursing discipline and educational methodologies through continuing professional development
  • Hold bi-weekly student At-risk meetings with campus stakeholders.
  • Play an integral role in the student recruitment process and growth of assigned programs.
  • Serve as a Student success mentor, to back-up of Nursing faculty and Program Director, as needed.
  • Support the maintenance, implementation, and evaluation of the Programs' Systematic Plan of Evaluations.
  • Assists with the development of NCLEX pass rate strategies.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the Regional Director of Nursing.
  • Visit each campus in North and South Carolina at least bi-weekly to maintain appropriate oversight
  • Participate in activities and site visits for accreditation, state licensing boards, Veteran's Affairs, etc.

BUSINESS CONTRIBUTIONS:
The Department Chair utilizes their professional expertise to enhance, develop, maintain and deliver education experiences to students:
  • Create an inclusive process that engages faculty in curriculum enhancement and development
  • Facilitate student engagement and enhance participation in student governance
  • Assess student's academic progress and assist program directors in providing developmental feedback and/or customized remediation plans
  • Work collaboratively with other departments.
  • Collaborate with the RDN on the design and development of new program offerings.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands are those required in a professional office setting and higher education, demonstrating procedures and techniques, and getting to and from appropriate classes and offices.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Professional office setting: moderate noise levels and controlled indoor climate.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
LOCATION:
This position is an onsite position located at your campus unless otherwise determined by the Office of the Executive Director. Any changes must be reviewed by the Chief Academic Officer, and all final approvals must come from the Office of the Executive Director.
Note: Nothing in this job specification restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Critical features of this job are described under various headings above. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. The above statements are strictly intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this position.

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