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Department Head Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Department Head City: West Lafayette Job Summary Head of The Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology College of Pharmacy | Purdue University The Purdue University College ...

The MAE Department Head is responsible for strategic and visionary leadership to support USU's land- and space-grant mission including leadership of teaching, research, and service activities in a ...

Now Hiring a Department Head Burlington, IASilgan Containers is seeking a Department Head to join our manufacturing leadership team in Burlington, IA. In this role, you will lead a department within ...

The MAE Department Head is responsible for strategic and visionary leadership to support USU's land- and space-grant mission including leadership of teaching, research, and service activities in a ...

Department Head

New York, NY · On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

Cover an instructor's class for the respective department if they are running late or cannot come to work. (This is the Department Head's only function until the class can be covered by another ...

Now Hiring a Department Head Burlington, IA Silgan Containers is seeking a Department Head to join our manufacturing leadership team in Burlington, IA. In this role, you will lead a department within ...

Now Hiring a Department Head Burlington, IA Silgan Containers is seeking a Department Head to join our manufacturing leadership team in Burlington, IA. In this role, you will lead a department within ...

Now Hiring a Department Head Burlington, IA Silgan Containers is seeking a Department Head to join our manufacturing leadership team in Burlington, IA. In this role, you will lead a department within ...

Department Head

Long Island City, NY · On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

Cover an instructor's class for the respective department if they are running late or cannot come to work. (This is the Department Head's only function until the class can be covered by another ...

Cover an instructor's class for the respective department if they are running late or cannot come to work. (This is the Department Head's only function until the class can be covered by another ...

Now Hiring a Department Head Burlington, IA Silgan Containers is seeking a Department Head to join our manufacturing leadership team in Burlington, IA. In this role, you will lead a department within ...

Now Hiring a Department Head Burlington, IA Silgan Containers is seeking a Department Head to join our manufacturing leadership team in Burlington, IA. In this role, you will lead a department within ...

The Department Head is expected to contribute to the College's research mission in these areas of distinction. Opportunities for collaboration are present within the Harrison College of Pharmacy as ...

Cover an instructor's class for the respective department if they are running late or cannot come to work. (This is the Department Head's only function until the class can be covered by another ...

Cover an instructor's class for the respective department if they are running late or cannot come to work. (This is the Department Head's only function until the class can be covered by another ...

Cover an instructor's class for the respective department if they are running late or cannot come to work. (This is the Department Head's only function until the class can be covered by another ...

Department Head

New York, NY · On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

Cover an instructor's class for the respective department if they are running late or cannot come to work. (This is the Department Head's only function until the class can be covered by another ...

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Department Head information

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How much do department head jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for department head in the United States is $16.29, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.50 and $15.62 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a department head?

Department Heads are senior leaders in an organization who oversee a specific department or division. They are responsible for managing staff, setting goals, developing budgets, and ensuring that their department aligns with the overall objectives of the company or institution. Department Heads also play a key role in decision-making, resource allocation, and representing their teams in broader organizational discussions. Their leadership helps ensure efficiency, productivity, and a positive work environment within their department.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a department head?

To thrive as a Department Head, you need strong leadership abilities, strategic planning skills, and relevant experience in the department’s field, often supported by an advanced degree. Familiarity with project management software, budgeting tools, and performance evaluation systems is typically required. Excellent communication, decision-making, and conflict resolution skills help a Department Head inspire teams and manage diverse responsibilities. These skills are crucial for driving departmental success, aligning goals with organizational strategy, and fostering a productive work environment.

How does a department head typically collaborate with other departments to achieve organizational goals?

As a Department Head, cross-department collaboration is a key part of the role. You’ll regularly communicate with leaders from other departments to align strategies, share resources, and ensure projects support the larger organizational objectives. This often involves attending interdepartmental meetings, participating in joint task forces, and working closely with other managers to resolve challenges or streamline processes. Success in this area relies on strong communication and negotiation skills, as well as the ability to balance your team's needs with broader company priorities.

What is the difference between Department Head vs Team Leader?

AspectDepartment HeadTeam Leader
CredentialsOften requires advanced degrees or certifications in management or specific industry fieldsTypically requires relevant experience; formal certifications are less common
Work EnvironmentOversees entire department, strategic planning, and resource managementManages a specific team or project, focusing on daily operations and task completion
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in corporate, educational, and government sectors for large organizational unitsUsed across various industries for team supervision and project management

The main difference between a Department Head and a Team Leader lies in their scope of responsibility and level of strategic involvement. Department Heads oversee entire departments, focusing on long-term planning and resource allocation, often requiring advanced credentials. Team Leaders manage specific teams or projects, concentrating on daily operations and immediate goals. Both roles are essential for organizational success but differ in their focus and authority.

What cities are hiring for Department Head jobs?

Cities with the most Department Head job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Department jobs?

The most popular types of Department jobs are:

Who are the top companies hiring for Department Head jobs?

The top employers for Department Head jobs are:

What states have the most Department Head jobs?

States with the most job openings for Department Head jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Department Head jobs?

For Department Head jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Department Head job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $33,874 per year, or $16.3 per hour.

Department Head

West Lafayette, IN • On-site

Purdue University
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 10K+ employees

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago


Purdue University rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 137 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Department Head
City: West Lafayette
Job Description:
Job Summary
Head of The Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology
College of Pharmacy | Purdue University
The Purdue University College of Pharmacy is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Full Professor and Head of the Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology. The Department, one of three within the College, is known internationally for its academic rigor and for its research on problems relevant to drug discovery and mechanisms of drug action. The Department's research activities are categorized in seven focus areas: medicinal chemistry and chemical biology; cancer research; molecular and cellular biology; molecular pharmacology; neuropharmacology; biophysical and computational chemistry; and systems biology and functional genomics. Extensive opportunities for collaboration also exist within a vibrant community of scientists in the Colleges of Agriculture, Engineering, Health and Human Sciences, Science, and Veterinary Medicine. The Department is highly engaged in collaborative research initiatives led by the Life Sciences Institutes, including the Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery (PIDD) and the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research (PICR). The successful candidate will have the opportunity to further develop, shape, and strengthen the Department by making efforts to fill faculty vacancies at both senior and junior levels.
Position Description
Candidates will: (i) provide sound fiscal management of the Department, which includes participation in annual fiscal planning and budgetary processes; (ii) provide leadership and vision in the development of a Departmental strategic plan that addresses the Department's learning, discovery, and engagement roles in the rapidly changing research environment; (iii) ensure that faculty, particularly new faculty, have the mentoring and support necessary for their success; (iv) provide leadership in, and develop collegial processes for, recruiting and hiring new faculty; (v) work closely with the Dean, the Dean's administrative staff, and the heads of other departments in advancing the missions of the Department and the College; (vi) foster, support, and participate in the research activities of the Department, the goal of which is to generate new knowledge. The Department Head will encourage, enhance, and actively work to develop interdisciplinary activities that advance the Departmental mission; (vii) the Department Head will have responsibility for, and will be an effective steward of, the Department's graduate courses and effective mentoring of graduate students in the Ph.D. program, teaching in didactic graduate courses as appropriate to Department needs and candidate expertise, at a level not to exceed 3 credit hours per semester or the equivalent; and (vii) in addition the Department Head will teach in the undergraduate and professional courses offered by the Department, which currently encompass the education and training of students in the Pharm.D. and B.S.P.S. programs, again as appropriate to Department needs and candidate expertise and at a level not to exceed 3 credit hours per semester or the equivalent, and providing enthusiastic leadership and support of these programs.
Appointment to an Endowed Chair will be considered for appropriately qualified candidates.
Position description and application https://careers.purdue.edu/job/Department-Head/43749-en_US/
Experience
The College is seeking candidates who possess an earned doctorate in a relevant discipline, which includes, but is not limited to, Pharmacology or Medicinal Chemistry. Candidates should also have an outstanding record of (i) research productivity, with funding in the form of peer-reviewed extramural research grants and/or contracts; (ii) teaching at the professional, graduate and/or undergraduate levels; (iii) engagement in interdisciplinary research initiatives; (iv) productive academic leadership; and (v) institutional and extramural service. Prior administrative experience is desirable but not required.
How to apply
Applications should consist of 1) a letter describing interest, vision and goals for the department, 2) a curriculum vitae, and 3) the names and contact information of at least three references. These materials should be submitted electronically at https://careers.purdue.edu/job/Department-Head/43749-en_US/
If you have questions regarding the search process or about uploading documents, please contact: Barb Mullenberg at barbmullenberg@purdue.edu. For technical assistance, please contact taleohelp@purdue.edu
The review of applications will commence on October 1st and will continue until the position is filled. Applications will be held in confidence until the interview phase of the process, and applicants' permission to contact references is obtained.
A background check is required for employment in this position.
Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access university.

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