Chair, Health Sciences

Chair, Health Sciences

Join to apply for the Chair, Health Sciences role at Samuel Merritt University

The Department Chair provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for a multidisciplinary department encompassing Basic Sciences, Health Sciences (BHS), and Health Administration (MHA). Reporting to the Dean, the Chair aligns departmental priorities with College and University goals while fostering excellence in teaching, research, and service. As the primary advocate for the department, the Chair manages faculty and staff, directs long‑term vision, and represents departmental interests to internal and external stakeholders.

Financial Management (10%) Manages the departmental budget by allocating resources across programs, overseeing facilities, and coordinating efficient scheduling of courses and faculty workloads. Tracks financial performance against budget allocations, addressing variances as they arise while balancing departmental needs with institutional priorities. Leads external relations and partnership development to strengthen the department. Oversees equipment maintenance, negotiates faculty and staff salaries, and secures funding for work‑study student positions.

Planning (20%) Ensures all programs in the department maintain academic integrity, coherence, and compliance with institutional and accrediting standards. Ensures overall department curriculum aligns with College/University goals. Guides curriculum development across programs and fosters interprofessional/interdisciplinary collaboration. Provides leadership in fostering department vision, philosophy and mission consistent with those of the College/University. Facilitates acquisition of resources for program development, research and externally funded projects.

Student Recruitment & Support (25%) Oversees departmental‑level student concerns, appeals, and grievances. Ensures academic policies are consistently upheld and that students across all programs receive equitable support. Partners with the enrollment management team to market programs and recruit qualified applicants. Supports program student recruitment in close collaboration with the marketing team.

Physical Facilities (5%) Oversees the adequacy and space utilization of classrooms, laboratories, offices, and storage space. Responsible for maintaining equipment in good working order and ensuring that programs have the supplies they need for instruction.

Human Resources (10%) Recrits, hires, supervises, and oversees evaluation of faculty members and staff. Provides mentorship, promotes faculty/staff development, and addresses performance issues. Responsible for faculty workload assignments and ensuring balance across teaching, scholarship, and service.

Reports and Documentation (10%) Maintains departmental compliance with university policies and external accrediting bodies. Provides support to Program Directors in preparing accreditation materials and reports. Assures that accreditation fees are paid in a timely fashion. Maintains secure systems for holding student files and records.

Teaching, Scholarship, and Service (20%) Teaches courses within area of expertise, engages in scholarly activities appropriate to rank, and actively participates in professional organizations.

• Ph.D., M.D., D.O., or equivalent terminal degree in a health/science discipline
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching and scholarly activity in a higher education environment
• Prior leadership or administrative experience in an academic setting preferred, especially in roles where clinical and non‑clinical programming occurred

Knowledge and experience in administration, management, budget management, curriculum development and assessment, negotiation with internal and external stakeholders, computer and internet use, effective time management, and communication skills.

• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds, push, pull, kneel, and stoop
• Must be able to move about campus to accomplish tasks
• Dexterity of the hands and fingers for computer use and handling materials
• Ability to read, write, compose, and edit complex documents
• Ability to sit doing deskwork for prolonged periods of time
• Must be able to talk, express ideas by means of verbal and written communication
• Ability to receive and interpret detailed information through verbal and written communication

Regular

United States of America (Exempt)

Full time

Samuel Merritt University currently provides base salary ranges for all positions on job advertisements in the United States based on local requirements. Individual compensation will ultimately be determined based on a variety of relevant factors including but not limited to qualifications, geographic location, and other relevant skills.