Chair, Department of Language & Literature

Florida Gulf Coast University•Lexington, MA

About The Position

Florida Gulf Coast University’s College of Arts & Sciences invites applications for a Chair to lead the Department of Language and Literature. The Chair will guide the department’s mission and ongoing development of its BA and MA English majors, and oversee General Education courses and language course offerings. This is an out-of-unit faculty appointment, at a rank commensurate with the candidate’s experience, with a 1–1-1 teaching load. The Chair reports directly to the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. Department Chairs serve as academic leaders; represent their department and faculty to the university and higher administration; communicate higher-administration priorities to department faculty; manage departmental resources; and represent the department and university to external bodies. Duties include developing and implementing departmental goals, leading strategic planning and curriculum development, managing budgets and fiscal affairs, assigning and assessing faculty workloads, supporting instruction, scholarship and service, coordinating faculty governance and development, overseeing faculty selection and evaluation, advising the Dean and Provost on faculty and staff leave, managing non-faculty staff, and leading outreach and public-service efforts. The successful candidate is expected to teach undergraduate and graduate courses, mentor and coach faculty and students, produce peer-reviewed scholarship, and provide service to the College, University, and community. Faculty are expected to deliver excellent and innovative instruction, respond to changing professional needs, use technology effectively—including distance learning—and support improved student learning. Teaching may take place on the main campus or at off-campus sites in the region. The appointment is a 12-month, out-of-unit, multi-year appointment, with an anticipated start date of July 2027. Applications are open until the position is filled; applications received by December 15, 2026, will receive priority consideration. Required application materials are unofficial transcripts, a statement of teaching philosophy, curriculum vitae, cover letter, and five professional references.

Requirements

Terminal degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in English, Comparative Literature, or another closely related discipline.
Record of scholarly achievement, teaching excellence, and service appropriate for appointment as Full Professor at FGCU or equivalent standing at another accredited institution.
Evidence of successful teaching and scholarship.
Ability to teach undergraduate and graduate courses, mentor and coach faculty and students, and participate in regional or national seminars, workshops, and committees.
Ability to deal effectively with a range of learners and use information technology as a pedagogical and professional tool.
Ability to collaborate within and outside the university in developing and delivering instruction, and with faculty to develop a shared vision.
Proven ability to think strategically and approach challenges creatively.
Demonstrated reliability, ability to meet goals, and personal accountability.
Strong interpersonal skills and experience working effectively across teams.
Ability to build relationships and interact with external university constituents in construction, business, and technology, and establish internal relationships.
Ability to lead continuing education programs.

Nice To Haves

Previous service as a department chair, program director, or comparable higher-education administrative role.
For candidates without prior chair experience, significant evidence of academic leadership, such as leading program development, assessment initiatives, or community-engaged projects.
Substantial experience in faculty governance, curriculum development, or program coordination demonstrating readiness for chair-level responsibilities.
Terminal degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in English, Comparative Literature, or a closely related field.

Responsibilities

Coordinate development and implementation of the Department Vision and Goals Statement.
Lead departmental efforts to achieve University and College goals and initiatives.
Develop the department budget and manage its fiscal affairs.
Lead and coordinate departmental strategic planning and curriculum development.
Assign and assess faculty workload across instructional, research, and service responsibilities.
Promote excellence in instruction, scholarship, and service.
Lead and coordinate departmental governance.
Lead faculty selection processes and ensure appointments follow university, college, and departmental policies.
Coordinate faculty members’ professional development.
Lead faculty evaluation processes for retention and promotion.
Recommend sabbaticals and other leaves for faculty and staff to the Dean and Provost.
Manage non-faculty staff members.
Develop, lead, and encourage outreach and public-service efforts.
Teach undergraduate and graduate courses, mentor and coach faculty and students, produce peer-reviewed scholarship, and provide service to the College, University, and community.
Perform other duties as assigned.