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Professor Department Head Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Purdue University

Department Head

West Lafayette, IN · On-site

... 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 ...

Theasa

The next Department Head will provide strategic leadership to guide the development and ... Inquiry at the rank of Professor and will be expected to lead the department's areas by ...

Theasa

Professor and Department Head

Storrs, CT · On-site

The next Department Head will provide strategic leadership to guide the development and ... Inquiry at the rank of Professor and will be expected to lead the department's areas by ...

Tuskegee University

Position Information Position Title Department Head/ Professor/Associate Professor- Mathematics Job Summary While the area of specialization is open, the candidate must possess the ability to teach ...

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How much do professor department head jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for professor department head 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 head?

Professor Department Heads are senior faculty members who lead academic departments within a college or university. They oversee faculty and staff, manage departmental budgets, coordinate curriculum development, and represent their departments in administrative matters. Their responsibilities include fostering research, supporting teaching excellence, and facilitating communication between the department and higher administration. Professor Department Heads play a key role in maintaining academic standards and advancing the strategic goals of their department and institution.

What are some common challenges faced by a professor department head when balancing administrative duties with teaching and research responsibilities?

As a Professor Department Head, managing the balance between administrative responsibilities and continuing to teach and conduct research is a frequent challenge. Department Heads often need to handle budgeting, faculty development, and strategic planning, which can limit the time available for their own academic pursuits. Effective time management, delegation, and clear communication with faculty and staff are essential to succeed in this multifaceted role. Many department heads find it helpful to set clear priorities and regularly reassess their workload to ensure both departmental and personal academic goals are met.

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

To thrive as a Professor Department Head, you need an advanced academic degree (usually a PhD), a solid record of teaching and research, and experience in academic leadership. Familiarity with university management systems, accreditation processes, and budgeting tools is typically required. Outstanding interpersonal skills, conflict resolution, and the ability to inspire and guide faculty and students are vital soft skills. These competencies ensure effective departmental administration, foster academic excellence, and support a collaborative educational environment.

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Infographic showing various Professor Department Head job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,057 per year, or $38.5 per hour.

Department Head

West Lafayette, IN • On-site

Purdue University
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 10K+ employees
Learn more about Purdue Universityexternal

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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