Department Head, Clinical Sciences

Colorado State University•Fort Collins, CO

1d•$250,000 - $300,000

About The Position

Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (CVMBS) invites applications and nominations for a Department Head for Clinical Sciences. This 12-month leadership position is based in one of the nation’s leading colleges of veterinary medicine and carries an expectation of appointment as a tenured full professor in the department. The position is targeted to start in spring or summer 2027. The Department Head reports to the Dean of CVMBS and serves on the College’s senior leadership team. The role provides leadership and oversight for more than 400 faculty, residents, interns, and staff, and sets a departmental focus and vision responsive to societal challenges and needs. The department encompasses scholarly and clinical service sections including anesthesiology, cardiology, critical care and emergency medicine, dermatology, epidemiology and preventive medicine, exotic animal medicine, equine medicine and surgery, food animal and livestock medicine and surgery, neurology, oncology, ophthalmology, small animal medicine and surgery, and theriogenology. The Department Head works closely with the Veterinary Health System (VHS), particularly as a bridge for faculty with clinical duties. The department’s work spans research, education, and service. Research programs investigate diseases affecting companion and production animals and develop approaches to prevention and treatment, with interests including comparative oncology, orthopedics, cardiology, surgery, infectious disease, epidemiology, and neurology, as well as human medical applications and discipline-based educational research. The department has access to a broad range of advanced imaging modalities through VHS, and its faculty teach undergraduate, graduate, and professional veterinary medical students. The Department Head will provide academic and scientific leadership, advance educational excellence and innovation, foster a culture of belonging, support faculty recruitment and development, guide strategic planning and resource allocation, oversee fiscal planning and administration, and represent the department within the College, University, and external organizations. The role currently includes an 80% administration effort distribution. With the Dean’s agreement, the Department Head may also participate in teaching, clinical, and research activities consistent with their professional and academic interests.

Requirements

An advanced degree, such as a DVM, BVSc, MVSc, MD, PhD, or equivalent.
Demonstrated leadership experience in an academic, research, clinical, diagnostic, governmental, or similarly complex organization.
Commitment to, or potential for, enhancing veterinary medical education, graduate education, clinical service, and research.
An academic or professional record qualifying the candidate for appointment as a tenured full professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences.
Evidence of successfully leading a large, diverse team.
Outstanding communication skills.
Commitment to, or potential for, enhancing community and belonging among all department members.

Nice To Haves

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, board certification with a veterinary specialty college, or equivalent.
Demonstrated clinical veterinary experience.
Experience in biomedical, translational, or clinical research.
Significant experience running an externally funded research program.
Proven leadership ability and integrity, including developing a vision for the department.
A strong desire and proven track record of establishing collaborative relationships within the College and University and with private and public sectors.
Ability to work productively and collegially with a large, diverse team.
Commitment to CVMBS values of Community, Integrity, Collaboration, and Innovation.
Commitment to, or potential for, maintaining CSU’s leadership in animal welfare and ethics.
Effective planning and implementation of strategic initiatives.

Responsibilities

Provide academic and scientific leadership in defining and attaining departmental goals.
Advance excellence and innovation in professional, graduate, and other educational programs.
Promote excellence across departmental endeavors and develop a culture of belonging.
Develop an inclusive departmental leadership structure that addresses departmental needs comprehensively.
Play a significant role in recruiting, hiring, and retaining faculty, and encourage mentorship, professional development, and collegial interactions.
Manage growth and development of the department’s research, education, and service missions, including leading strategic planning to prioritize time and resources.
Partner with Veterinary Health System and veterinary education leaders to streamline and clarify faculty and staff appointments and budgets.
Develop innovative approaches to resourcing departmental operations and strategic plans.
Advocate for the visibility and prestige of departmental sections and disciplines at the Department, College, and University levels.
Represent the department to external entities, including professional and corporate organizations and alumni, and participate in fundraising activities.
Manage fiscal planning and administration; direct and evaluate faculty and administrative staff; and facilitate relationships with industry and governmental entities.
Represent the department on the College Executive Committee.
Perform Department Head responsibilities as outlined in the CSU Academic Faculty and Administrative Professional Manual.
Potentially participate in additional teaching, clinical, and research activities with the Dean’s agreement, consistent with professional and academic interests.