Department Head, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology

Colorado State University•Fort Collins, CO

13d•Onsite

About The Position

Colorado State University (CSU) is seeking a Department Head for the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology (MIP). This is a leadership position within the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (CVMBS). The department is large and interdisciplinary, with missions in discovery, education, clinical and diagnostic services, and engagement. The Head will provide strategic, academic, scientific, administrative, and cultural leadership, fostering excellence across research, education, diagnostic and clinical service, and engagement. The role involves stewarding resources and creating an environment where faculty, staff, and trainees can thrive. The Department Head reports to the Dean of CVMBS and is part of the College’s senior leadership team. This position requires close collaboration with associate department heads, center and program directors, administrative teams, other department heads, the Veterinary Health System, and the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories. The Head will also represent and advocate for MIP within CSU and with external partners.

Requirements

Ph.D., D.V.M., M.D., or equivalent terminal degree in a discipline relevant to the department.
A record of scholarly achievement and professional distinction that merits appointment as Professor with tenure in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology.
Demonstrated leadership experience in an academic, research, clinical, diagnostic, governmental, or comparably complex organization.
Evidence of effective administrative, personnel, and fiscal management.
A sustained commitment to excellence in research, education, service, and professional development.

Nice To Haves

A compelling record of inclusive, transparent, and collaborative leadership, including the ability to build trust, establish clear expectations, make timely decisions, and promote accountability.
Ability to develop and communicate an inspiring vision and translate that vision into coherent strategy, measurable priorities, and effective execution.
Demonstrated success recruiting, retaining, developing, mentoring, and evaluating faculty and staff across varied roles and career stages.
A strong record of advancing a positive academic culture that supports belonging, accessibility, professional respect, constructive dialogue, and the success of individuals with varied backgrounds and perspectives.
Outstanding interpersonal, written, oral, and listening skills, with the capacity to communicate effectively across disciplinary and professional communities.
A record of integrity, sound judgment, courage, fairness, and respect in complex decision-making in a changing environment.
Experience leading externally funded research and an understanding of the infrastructure, compliance, facilities, and administrative systems needed for a high-performing research enterprise.
Experience with undergraduate, graduate, professional, residency, or medical education and a commitment to educational innovation and student success.
Experience with or understanding of diagnostic or clinical service environments and the opportunities created by integrating service, education, and research.
Demonstrated success building productive collaborations across departments, colleges, universities, government, industry, foundations, alumni, donors, and community partners.
Ability to advocate effectively for the department within and beyond CSU to enhance the visibility and reputation of its disciplines and programs.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership for all departmental missions and guide the development, implementation, assessment, and renewal of departmental priorities.
Serve as the chief administrative and academic officer of the department and represent MIP on the CVMBS leadership team and in university governance and planning.
Lead faculty and staff recruitment, onboarding, retention, annual evaluation, workload planning, recognition, professional development, promotion, and succession planning.
Build and sustain an environment characterized by collegiality, collaboration, accountability, effective communication, and shared commitment to excellence.
Oversee departmental financial planning and management, including annual budgets, commitments, resource allocation, revenue-generating activities, and long-range financial strategy.
Partner with the department's administrative team to ensure effective operations, internal controls, compliance, and administrative support for departmental missions.
Advocate for and oversee the strategic use, acquisition, renovation, and maintenance of space, equipment, and research and teaching infrastructure.
Support faculty in securing extramural funding, developing interdisciplinary initiatives, and strengthening core capabilities and shared research resources.
Ensure effective mentoring structures for faculty, staff, and trainees and address barriers to professional growth and organizational effectiveness.
Work collaboratively with the Veterinary Health System and Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories leadership on faculty roles, service priorities, program quality, resource planning, and integration of diagnostic missions with education and research.
Cultivate relationships with alumni, donors, foundations, government agencies, industry, professional organizations, and other external partners.
Model the highest standards of ethical conduct, stewardship, safety, compliance, and professional responsibility.
Maintain an appropriate program of scholarly, educational, clinical, diagnostic, or professional activity consistent with the candidate’s expertise and the expectations of a tenured Professor.
Contribute to the intellectual life and educational mission of the department and College through teaching, mentoring, research, clinical or diagnostic service, or related professional engagement.