Dean, School of Dental Medicine

University of Colorado•Aurora, CO

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Join one of the nation’s leading academic medical institutions and help shape the future of oral health education, research, clinical care, and community impact. The University of Colorado Anschutz seeks a visionary, collaborative, and strategic leader to serve as the next Dean of the School of Dental Medicine. As the chief academic officer of the school, the Dean will lead a nationally respected institution known for innovation in dental education, interdisciplinary clinical care, groundbreaking research, and service to communities across Colorado and beyond. Positioned within the CU Anschutz academic health center, the Dean will collaborate closely with leaders from the Schools of Medicine, Pharmacy, Public Health, Graduate School, and the College of Nursing to advance transformative education, expand research opportunities, and strengthen clinical excellence. Located on the dynamic CU Anschutz Medical Campus—adjacent to the Fitzsimons Innovation Community and nationally recognized partners including University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital Colorado—the School of Dental Medicine offers a unique environment where discovery, innovation, and patient care converge. This is an extraordinary opportunity for an accomplished leader to build on a strong foundation, inspire faculty, staff, and students, foster strategic partnerships, advance fundraising and community engagement efforts, and drive the next era of growth and impact for one of the region’s premier dental schools. If you are passionate about advancing academic excellence, leading innovation, and improving oral health outcomes for future generations, we invite you to apply.

Requirements

DDS, DMD, or equivalent dental degree from an accredited institution.
The dean must have a record of research, scholarship, teaching, and service/leadership sufficient to be appointed at the rank of full professor with tenure at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Dental Medicine.
Progressive senior leadership experience, such as service as a department chair, division head, associate dean, assistant dean, dean, or equivalent leadership role, within an academic dental institution, academic health center, healthcare organization, or similarly complex environment.
Demonstrated leadership experience in dental education, clinical operations, research, and administration.
Experience with strategic planning, organizational leadership, and change management.
Demonstrated success in faculty recruitment, development, retention, and performance management.
Experience overseeing financial planning, budgeting, resource allocation, and operational performance.
Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships across academic, clinical, community, and professional constituencies.
Experience working with institutional leadership, governing bodies, community organizations, and external stakeholders.
Demonstrated commitment to advancing excellence in education, patient care, research, and community engagement.
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship. We are unable to provide work visa sponsorship and employment authorization for this position now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in a related field (e.g., PhD, MPH, MBA, MHA, MS, or equivalent).
Significant experience serving in a dean, associate dean, department chair, chief executive, or other senior executive leadership role within a dental school or academic health system.
Demonstrated record of achievement as an educator, mentor, and academic leader with a commitment to student success and professional development.
Established record of scholarly accomplishment, research leadership, and success in expanding research funding and innovation initiatives.
Demonstrated ability to lead transformational initiatives while sustaining and advancing existing strategic priorities.
Experience fostering interdisciplinary education, research, and clinical collaboration across health professions.
Proven success securing, stewarding, and deploying institutional resources to support strategic growth and operational excellence.
Demonstrated experience engaging donors, alumni, industry partners, and other constituents in fundraising and philanthropic initiatives.
Experience advocating effectively with state, federal, professional, and regulatory organizations.
Experience leading within a large public research university or academic health center and navigating complex organizational, political, regulatory, and fiscal environments.
Demonstrated commitment to promoting a collaborative and high-performing culture that supports faculty, staff, students, and patients.
Record of innovation in dental education, clinical care delivery, research, or organizational effectiveness.
Experience strengthening community partnerships and expanding access to oral healthcare through service, outreach, and population health initiatives.

Responsibilities

Provide visionary leadership and strategic direction that advances the School of Dental Medicine’s mission, aligns with campus and system priorities, and strengthens its national reputation in education, research, clinical care, and community engagement.
Lead and continuously enhance academic programs, ensuring educational excellence, innovation, student success, accreditation compliance, and interprofessional collaboration.
Oversee clinical operations and patient care delivery, promoting quality, innovation, operational sustainability, regulatory compliance, and expanded access to oral healthcare.
Advance a thriving research enterprise by growing research funding, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, strengthening scholarly activity, and translating discoveries into meaningful impact.
Recruit, develop, and retain exceptional faculty and staff while fostering a culture of collaboration, engagement, professional growth, inclusion, and organizational excellence.
Ensure sound financial stewardship through strategic planning, budgeting, resource allocation, revenue generation, and management of facilities and infrastructure.
Serve as the chief ambassador for the school by building relationships with alumni, donors, community partners, industry leaders, professional organizations, and government stakeholders to enhance visibility, fundraising, and community impact.
Promote interdisciplinary collaboration across CU Anschutz and its partners to advance integrated education, research, clinical care, and innovation.
Maintain effective governance, accreditation, compliance, risk management, and accountability practices that support institutional excellence and continuous improvement.