Chair of the Department of Finance - 12 Month

University of Arkansas • Fayetteville, AR

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The University of Arkansas's Sam M. Walton College of Business is currently seeking applications for the position of Chair of the Department of Finance, with the preferred start date being in Fall 2026. The Finance Department boasts the largest degree program in the Walton College with over 2,100 undergraduate student majors, a growing master’s program, and a robust Ph.D. program. The Finance Department Chair holds the Helen R. Walton Endowed Chair of Finance. The Endowed Chair is devoted to leading the Department to regional and national prominence in the field of financial education. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, administrative, and collaborative skills, working effectively with faculty members of all ranks. Candidates should possess the skill and interest to engage external constituents and industry partners. The Finance Department is distinctly positioned to engage with high-profile corporate employers, influential investment banking firms, and prominent alumni. The College emphasizes the presence of engaged and mission-minded leaders, including communicating regularly with faculty and staff, maintaining regular on-campus presence, fostering a team-oriented environment, and aligning the mission and goals of the department with the Walton College goals. A key element of the Walton College leadership environment is collaborative engagement with the Dean’s Office and other Department Chairs. As part of the College’s Executive Committee, the Department Chair plays a crucial role in shaping and implementing both the Department’s and College’s strategic direction. By virtue of their own research and teaching accomplishments, the Department Chair is also positioned to lead the department in attracting, developing, and evaluating faculty and staff to advance the Department’s research, teaching, and outreach missions. The Department Chair drives faculty attention to undergraduate curriculum innovation and rigor, advances graduate program effectiveness, serves as a role model for faculty and staff by maintaining a positive attitude and fostering productive and collegial relationships within the department and with other administrators. Department Chairs are expected to be accessible to students and faculty during normal university hours, including summer, except when representing the department, college, or university in off-campus activities. The 12-month position entails a 60% administrative role. It is structured as a renewable 5-year term, offering a competitive compensation package. Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is essential. Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Finance or a closely related field conferred by the start of employment
• Associate Professor rank or higher with tenure at an AACSB accredited business school or college
• An established research record of publishing in leading peer-reviewed journals
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated collegiality and teamwork
• Demonstrated desire to engage and collaborate with executive leadership of the College

Nice To Haves

• A research and teaching record suitable for tenure at the full professor level
• Prior experience as department chair (or equivalent) that shows an ability to perform all administrative, budgetary, curricular and engagement activities of the department
• A proven record of securing external funds through fundraising, industry sponsored research, or grants
• Evidence of developing innovative initiatives in academic programs, outreach and/or administration
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement and innovation

Responsibilities

• Leading the Department to regional and national prominence in the field of financial education
• Demonstrating strong leadership, administrative, and collaborative skills, working effectively with faculty members of all ranks
• Engaging external constituents and industry partners
• Communicating regularly with faculty and staff
• Maintaining regular on-campus presence
• Fostering a team-oriented environment
• Aligning the mission and goals of the department with the Walton College goals
• Shaping and implementing both the Department’s and College’s strategic direction
• Leading the department in attracting, developing, and evaluating faculty and staff to advance the Department’s research, teaching, and outreach missions
• Driving faculty attention to undergraduate curriculum innovation and rigor
• Advancing graduate program effectiveness
• Serving as a role model for faculty and staff by maintaining a positive attitude and fostering productive and collegial relationships within the department and with other administrators
• Being accessible to students and faculty during normal university hours, including summer, except when representing the department, college, or university in off-campus activities

Benefits

• The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree