ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Professor Department Chair Jobs (NOW HIRING)

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsEducation JobsHigher Education JobsProfessor Department Chair Jobs

Professor Department Chair information

See salary details

$42.5K

$80.1K

$135K

How much do professor department chair jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for professor department chair in the United States is $80,057.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,000.00 and $91,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a professor department chair?

Professor Department Chairs are senior faculty members who lead and manage an academic department within a college or university. They are responsible for overseeing faculty, curriculum development, budgeting, and departmental administration. In addition to their leadership duties, Department Chairs often continue to teach, conduct research, and represent their department in university decisions. Their role is crucial in ensuring the academic quality and smooth functioning of their department.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a professor department chair, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Professor Department Chair, you need advanced academic credentials (often a PhD), a record of scholarly achievement, and extensive teaching experience. Familiarity with learning management systems, academic databases, and institutional management tools is typically required, along with knowledge of accreditation standards. Strong leadership, conflict resolution, and interpersonal communication skills help foster collaboration and guide departmental initiatives. These abilities ensure effective department governance, academic excellence, and a supportive environment for faculty and students.

How does a professor department chair balance administrative duties with teaching and research responsibilities?

Balancing administrative tasks with teaching and research is a common challenge for Professor Department Chairs. Typically, Chairs oversee departmental operations, manage faculty, and handle budgeting, which can be time-consuming. Most institutions adjust teaching loads for Chairs to allow time for these additional duties, but strong time management and delegation skills are crucial. Collaboration with associate chairs, administrative staff, and faculty committees helps distribute the workload, ensuring the Chair can remain active in both teaching and research while effectively leading the department.

What is the difference between Professor Department Chair vs Associate Professor?

AspectProfessor Department ChairAssociate Professor
Required CredentialsDoctorate degree, extensive research, teaching experience, leadership skillsDoctorate degree, significant teaching and research experience
Work EnvironmentAcademic institution, administrative and teaching dutiesAcademic institution, primarily teaching and research
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, colleges, higher educationUniversities, colleges, higher education
Common Search & ComparisonLeadership, administrative roles, department managementAcademic rank, teaching, research focus

The Professor Department Chair typically holds a leadership position overseeing a department, combining administrative duties with academic responsibilities. An Associate Professor is an academic rank focused on teaching and research, usually without administrative leadership. The main difference lies in the leadership and administrative responsibilities associated with the Department Chair role.

More about Professor Department Chair jobs

What cities are hiring for Professor Department Chair jobs?

Cities with the most Professor Department Chair job openings:

What states have the most Professor Department Chair jobs?

States with the most job openings for Professor Department Chair jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Professor Department Chair jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Professor Department Chair jobs are:

Professor Department Chair jobs near you
Infographic showing various Professor Department Chair 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, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,057 per year, or $38.5 per hour.

Associate Professor/Dept. Chair

Lincoln University

Lincoln University, PA • On-site

$71K - $99K/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Provide leadership and vision for department faculty, staff, and students.

  • Manage operational aspects of the department and serve as a liaison between the department and Faculty Affairs Office.

  • Teach 2-3 courses per semester, mentor and advise students, and actively participate in departmental and university initiatives.

Job description

JOB TITLE:
Department of Communication
Associate Professor of Digital Communication
CLASSIFICATION:
Faculty
DIVISION:
Academic Affairs
DEPARTMENT:
Department of Communication
LOCATION:
Lincoln University, PA, Main Campus
FLSA STATUS:
Exempt
REPORTS TO:
SALARY
Mahpiua Deas, Provost and Dean of Faculty
PER CBA
OVERVIEW:
Lincoln University (LU), a historically Black, regional, comprehensive, liberal arts university is one of the 7 state-related institutions within the Pennsylvania Higher Education System. The University enrolls over 2,000 students, employs more than 100 full-time faculty members and offers more than 30 undergraduate programs, and selected graduate programs.
Diversity is at the core of LU’s history, mission, and values. We understand the value of diversifying our faculty and pursue that standard of excellence by focusing our recruitment efforts to attract candidates with rich and varied backgrounds, scholarship, and experience.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Department of Communication invites applications for a full-time, tenured faculty position with a specialization in Digital Communication, who can also serve as Department Chair.
We seek a dynamic and visionary leader with demonstrated administrative experience, a strong record of scholarship or creative production, and a commitment to innovative and student-centered teaching. The successful candidate will join a collaborative department dedicated to preparing students for success in an evolving global communication landscape as well as the ability to teach a variety of department courses.
Ideal candidates will bring expertise and be able to teach courses in one or more of the following areas:
  • Digital media production and design
  • Writing for communication professionals
  • Social and emerging media strategy
  • Data-driven and interactive media
  • Media innovation and storytelling
The candidate should demonstrate a record of effective leadership, evidence of scholarly or creative achievement. As Chair, the candidate will lead departmental initiatives in curriculum innovation, assessment, faculty mentoring, and community engagement, helping to shape the future of Communication education in alignment with contemporary trends in media, technology, and global connectivity. Candidates at the Assistant Professor rank will also be considered.
The successful candidate must possess a Ph.D./Terminal Degree by the hire date.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The successful candidate will:
  • As chair, they will provide leadership and vision for department faculty, staff, and students.
  • Will manage operational aspects of the department and serve as a liaison between the department and Faculty Affairs Office.
  • As Faculty, they will offer dynamic, engaging, and student-centered pedagogy utilizing up-to-date expertise digital media.
  • Will teach a normal load, typically 2-3 courses in-person a semester, and a variety of departmental courses in the major and actively mentor and advise students. (The department chair is afforded a one course release per academic year).
  • Will be a contributing member of departmental and university required meetings and initiatives including departmental meetings events, course and curriculum development, and university-wide initiatives.
  • Maintain active professional engagement and research, which are required for promotion and tenure consideration.
EDUCATION:
  • A Ph.D./Terminal degree in Communications or a related field.
EXPERIENCE:
  • Evidence of 5+ years of teaching at undergraduate level
  • Proven agenda of research and professional engagement
  • Communication skills consistent with effective teaching, mentoring and motivating majors from a broad range of cultural, ethnic, and economic backgrounds and actively participating in the department and broader university.
  • Experience in course design, development, and assessment of student learning outcomes.
  • Experience utilizing LMS such as Canvas and other software
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Moderate lifting up to 20 pounds as frequently as needed to move objects; dexterity to write and manipulate computer keyboard and mouse; ability to hear and speak clearly; and body mobility to stoop, kneel, bend and reach.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in a university campus environment. All classes are currently taught in-person and faculty are required to be present on campus to teach their courses. The employee is subject to inside environmental conditions and protection from weather conditions.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES:
All applications should be submitted through the online portal. Only complete applications will be considered. Applicants must submit the following:
  • A letter of application highlighting teaching philosophy, research agenda, and interest in Lincoln University
  • A current curriculum vita
  • Undergraduate and graduate transcripts [unofficial copies will suffice for initial screening].
  • Three [3] references or three [3] current and relevant letters of recommendation
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until position is filled. Women and underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.
Lincoln University is an equal opportunity employer and encourages women, people of color, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply. The University is committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty, administration, and staff.

Apply