Heersink School of Medicine - Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education/ Chair Department of Medical Education

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Portal•Birmingham, AL

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Heersink School of Medicine (HSOM) is seeking applications for the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education. Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President for Medicine and Dean, this position provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight across the full continuum of medical education, including pathway programs, premedical undergraduate and graduate biomedical education, undergraduate medical education (UME), graduate medical education (GME), continuing medical education (CME), and international medical education (IME). This role also serves as Chair of the Department of Medical Education and is a key member of the HSOM senior leadership team, working closely with Health System executives and institutional partners. The Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education oversees a large, complex portfolio serving more than 2,500 learners across multiple campuses and programs and is responsible for advancing excellence, integration, and innovation across the educational mission.

Requirements

M.D., D.O., Ph.D., or equivalent terminal degree with significant leadership experience in medical education
Must qualify for an appointment as an associate or full professor in the Heersink School of Medicine
Accomplished academic medical leader with substantial experience in medical education and LCME accreditation
Eligibility for Alabama licensure, where applicable

Nice To Haves

Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills
Exhibits a style that builds institutional culture, with an ability to delegate yet maintain appropriate organizational oversight
Commitment to advancing educational priorities and supporting organizational goals
Demonstrated success leading complex educational programs or initiatives within academic medicine
Proven ability to lead organizational change, innovation, continuous improvement, and strategic growth
Experience building effective partnerships among academic, clinical, and administrative stakeholders
Demonstrated ability to lead across multiple stages of the educational continuum
Experience with LCME and ACGME accreditation standards, reviews, and continuous quality improvement processes
Experience with Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education preferred
Evidence of scholarly achievement and national recognition in medical education, academic leadership, or a related field
Strategic Agility: Demonstrates the ability to navigate evolving priorities and complex environments while maintaining focus on institutional goals. Adapts approaches as circumstances change and helps others successfully manage change.
Collaborative Communication and Relationship Building: Communicates effectively with a broad range of stakeholders, fosters trust and transparency, and builds collaborative partnerships that advance institutional priorities and shared success.
Organizational Effectiveness: Understands and navigates the dynamics of complex academic and healthcare organizations. Builds consensus and advances priorities through influence and collaboration.
Change Leadership: Leads strategic and operational change with vision and resilience. Creates alignment around shared goals and inspires commitment to continuous improvement.
Talent Development: Demonstrates a commitment to mentoring and developing faculty, staff, and emerging leaders. Creates opportunities for growth and professional excellence.

Responsibilities

Define and execute a unified vision for medical education across the full continuum of learner development
Lead high-impact institutional initiatives that enhance educational quality, integration, and outcomes
Serve as a senior advisor to the Dean and represent medical education priorities at the executive level
Provide executive oversight of UME (~850 students), GME (~1200 trainees), and CME programs
Lead premedical undergraduate majors and graduate biomedical programs (~600 students) aligned with workforce development
Oversee pathway and physician-scientist development programs spanning K–12 through early faculty stages
Direct international medical education initiatives, including visiting learners, global partnerships, and educational exchanges
Ensure institutional excellence in meeting LCME, ACGME, The Commission on Colleges and Universities (formerly SACSCOC), and Joint Accreditation standards (ACCME, ACPE, ANCC)
Lead continuous quality improvement to optimize the learning environment and learner outcomes
Advance excellence in teaching, curriculum design, and assessment across all learner levels
Partner with other HSOM units and departments to strengthen faculty development and promote educator career advancement and recognition
Foster innovation and scholarship in medical education
Oversee administrative and operational units supporting the educational mission
Provide leadership for shared educational resources, including the Gross Anatomy Laboratory, Surgical Laboratory, and Anatomical Donor Program
Partner on financial strategy, resource allocation, and program sustainability
Supervise regional campus leadership to ensure alignment across educational, clinical, and research missions
Strengthen partnerships with healthcare systems, academic institutions, and community stakeholders
Collaborate with alumni and development teams to advance engagement and philanthropic support
Represent the HSOM in national and regional medical education organizations
Provide academic, administrative, and financial leadership for the Department of Medical Education
Recruit, develop, and retain faculty with expertise across the education continuum
Advance a national reputation for innovation and scholarship in medical education