Academic Unit Head, Department of Engineering

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Harrisonburg (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

James Madison University invites applications for the position of Department Head and Endowed Faculty Chair of Engineering. This is a tenured, 12-month appointment at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor with resources to pursue a broad range of initiatives.

The Department offers an ABET-accredited B.S. in Engineering with concentrations in Electro-Mechanical Systems, Geo-Environmental Systems, or Civil & Environmental Systems.

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in engineering or closely related field.
• Leadership experience in engineering.
• A demonstrated commitment to undergraduate engineering education.
• A track record of teaching, scholarship and service commensurate with appointment at the rank of associate professor.
• Evidence of sustained commitment to shared governance.

Responsibilities

• Manage and steward the Department’s academic programs, personnel, facilities, and resources within the evolving landscape of higher education.
• Advocate for the Department within JMU and externally with industry partners, prospective students, academic peers, alumni, and other constituencies.
• Manage the Department’s annual budget and oversee the responsible allocation of financial and other resources.
• Manage and conduct academic administration, including course assignments and scheduling, annual faculty evaluations, and review of tenure and promotion applications.
• Supervise Department staff and conduct annual performance evaluations.
• Foster a culture of shared governance, transparency, and trust through collaborative decision-making and consensus building among faculty from a range of disciplinary backgrounds.
• Work effectively and constructively with College and University leadership to advance Department, College, and institutional priorities.

Skills

Leadership experience

Strategic planning

Faculty governance

Resource management

Engineering education commitment

Education

PhD in engineering

Undergraduate degree in engineering

Job description

Working Title

Academic Unit Head, Department of Engineering

State Role Title

N/A

Position Type

Instructional / Teaching Faculty

Position Status

Full-Time

FLSA Status

Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division

College of Integrated Science and Engineering

Department

100590 - Department of Engineering

Pay Band

N/A

Pay Rate

Commensurate with Experience

Is this a JMU only position?

No

Is this a grant-funded position?

No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position?

No

Beginning Review Date

10/22/2026

About JMU

Mission: We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision: To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are: Situated in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 52,000. Harrisonburg is conveniently located approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA.

JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and supportive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information

James Madison University (JMU) invites applications for the position of Department Head and Endowed Faculty Chair of Engineering. This is a tenured, 12-month appointment at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor. A recent commitment establishing the endowed chair will provide significant resources and flexibility for the Department Head to pursue a broad range of initiatives aligned with the Department’s needs, opportunities, and the successful candidate’s interests. The Department Head reports to the Dean of the College of Integrated Science and Engineering and is supported by an Assistant Department Head, Program Director, Academic Advisor, Fiscal Technician, Office Manager, and Laboratory Manager.

The Department of Engineering consists of 18 instructional faculty and 6 staff members serving approximately 750 students, with about 120 graduates each year. The Department offers an ABET-accredited B.S. in Engineering, and students may choose to pursue concentrations in Electro-Mechanical Systems, Geo-Environmental Systems, or Civil & Environmental Systems. As an undergraduate-focused engineering program within a large public university, we combine the close faculty-student interaction and small class sizes often associated with smaller programs with substantial facilities, staffing, and resources. Our project-based curriculum gives students significant responsibility for their own work in courses, laboratories, research, and design projects, creating a highly hands-on learning environment.

Students have access to a fully staffed machine shop, fabrication laboratory, digital prototyping facilities, and dedicated capstone and project workspaces. Research, project, and instructional infrastructure includes more than $2 million in tools, instrumentation, and equipment located in over 30,000 square feet of dedicated engineering laboratory, fabrication, research and project space.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage and steward the Department’s academic programs, personnel, facilities, and resources within the evolving landscape of higher education.
• Advocate for the Department within JMU and externally with industry partners, prospective students, academic peers, alumni, and other constituencies.
• Manage the Department’s annual budget and oversee the responsible allocation of financial and other resources.
• Manage and conduct academic administration, including course assignments and scheduling, annual faculty evaluations, and review of tenure and promotion applications.
• Supervise Department staff and conduct annual performance evaluations.
• Foster a culture of shared governance, transparency, and trust through collaborative decision-making and consensus building among faculty from a range of disciplinary backgrounds.
• Work effectively and constructively with College and University leadership to advance Department, College, and institutional priorities.

Qualifications

Required:

• A Ph.D. in engineering or closely related field
• Leadership experience in engineering
• A demonstrated commitment to engineering education at the undergraduate level
• A track record of teaching, scholarship and service commensurate with appointment at the rank of associate professor
• Evidence of sustained commitment to shared governance

Preferred:

• A demonstrated commitment to the development of faculty and staff
• A track record of teaching, scholarship and service commensurate with appointment at the rank of professor
• An undergraduate degree in engineering

Conditions of Employment

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: [phone].

Reasonable Accommodation

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at [phone] or [e-mail]. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.