Chair, Rehabilitation Sciences

Samuelmerritt; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health sciences institution is seeking a Chair for the department. Responsibilities include overseeing multiple programs, managing departmental budgets, and ensuring academic integrity. The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree, demonstrate excellence in teaching, and possess strong leadership skills. You will shape the direction of departmental initiatives and support student recruitment efforts in alignment with the institution's mission. This role offers an opportunity to impact healthcare education positively.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated excellence in teaching in a higher education environment.
• Prior leadership or administrative experience preferred.
• Knowledge of negotiation with stakeholders is essential.

Responsibilities

• Oversee departmental budget and allocate resources effectively.
• Ensure curriculum aligns with College/University goals.
• Manage student recruitment and support initiatives.
• Manages facilities, equipment, and program resources.
• Recruits, mentors, and evaluates faculty and staff.
• Prepares accreditation materials and reports.
• Represents department in college, university, and external settings.

Skills

Administration

Budget management

Curriculum development

Effective communication skills

Negotiation

Computer skills

Time management

Communication

Education

Ph.D., M.D., D.O., or equivalent terminal degree

Job description

# **Description:**## Job Description Summary:Summary The position provides leadership and oversight of the entire department, including multiple programs, scholarly and research initiatives, and service activities. They are responsible for aligning departmental priorities with the broader goals of the College of Health Sciences and the University. The Chair sets long-term vision and strategic direction for the department, working with the Dean and other Chairs to advance the mission of the College. They oversee the programs, faculty, and staff of the programs within the department in a broad administrative and leadership role. The Chair represents the department at the College, University, and external levels, and serves as the primary spokesperson for departmental needs, initiatives, and faculty achievements.# Duties and Responsibilities:**Duties and Responsibilities:****Financial Management: 10%*** Manages the departmental budget by allocating resources across programs, overseeing facilities, and coordinating efficient scheduling of courses and faculty workloads.* Tracks financial performance against budget allocations, addressing variances as they arise while balancing departmental needs with institutional priorities.* Leads external relations and partnership development to strengthen the department.* Oversees equipment maintenance, negotiates faculty and staff salaries, and secures funding for work-study student positions.**Planning: 20%*** Ensures all programs in the department maintain academic integrity, coherence, and compliance with institutional and accrediting standards.* Ensures overall department curriculum aligns with College/University goals.* Guides curriculum development across programs and fosters interprofessional/interdisciplinary collaboration.* Provides leadership in fostering department vision, philosophy and mission consistent with those of the College/University.* Facilitates acquisition of resources for program development, research and externally funded projects.**Student Recruitment & Support: 25%*** Oversees departmental-level student concerns, appeals, and grievances.* Ensures academic policies are consistently upheld and that students across all programs receive equitable support.* Partners with the enrollment management team to market programs and recruit qualified applicants.* Supports program student recruitment in close collaboration with the marketing team.**Physical Facilities: 5%*** Oversees the adequacy and space utilization of classrooms, laboratories, offices, and storage space.* Responsible for maintaining equipment in good working order and seeing that programs have the supplies they need for instruction.**Human Resources: 10%*** Recruits, hires, supervises, and oversees evaluation of faculty members and staff.* Provides mentorship, promotes faculty/staff development, and addresses performance issues.* Responsible for faculty workload assignments and ensuring balance across teaching, scholarship, and service.**Reports and Documentation: 10%*** Maintains departmental compliance with university policies and external accrediting bodies.* Provides support to Program Directors in preparing accreditation materials and reports.* Responsible for compliance with accreditation policies and procedures.* Assures that accreditation fees are paid in a timely fashion.* Maintains secure systems for holding student files and records.**Teaching, Scholarship, and Service: 20%*** Teaches courses within area of expertise,* Engages in scholarly activities appropriate to rank* Actively participates in professional organizations.**Education and/or Experience:*** Ph.D., M.D., D.O., or equivalent terminal degree in a health/science discipline* Demonstrated excellence in teaching and scholarly activity in a higher education environment.* Prior leadership or administrative experience in an academic setting preferred, especially in roles where clinical and non-clinical programming occurred.**Skills & Ability:*** Knowledge and experience in* Administration* Management* Budget management* Curriculum development and assessment* Negotiation with internal and external stakeholders* Computer and internet use* Effective time management, and communication skills.**Physical Effort Required:*** Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds, carry, push, pull, kneel, and stoop.* Must be able to move about campus to accomplish tasks* Dexterity of the hands and fingers for computer use and handling materials* Ability to read, write, compose, and edit complex documents* Ability to sit doing deskwork for prolonged periods of time* Must be able to talk, express ideas by means of verbal and written communication* Ability to receive and interpret detailed information through verbal and written communication### Employee Status:Regular### Exemption Status:United States of America (Exempt)### Time Type:Full time### Job Shift:**Pay Range:**Samuel Merritt University currently provides base salary ranges for all positions-on job advertisements-in the United States based on local requirements. Individual compensation will ultimately be determined based on a variety of relevant factors including but-not limited to qualifications, geographic location, and other relevant skills.**SMU is a health sciences institution offering high-quality instruction, outstanding faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities. We have a deep commitment and proven track record of preparing professionals to address today’s healthcare needs.****Our Mission** We educate students to become highly skilled and compassionate healthcare professionals who positively transform the experience of care in diverse communities.**Our Vision** Samuel Merritt University will become nationally recognized as a premier, multi-specialty health sciences institution. Expert faculty and staff will shape an inclusive learning environment where all students experience best teaching practices and state-of-the-art learning approaches. The University will select and support students who will flourish in the rigorous academic programs, learn to practice expertly, and pass licensure or certifications examinations on their first attempt.**Our Philosophy of Teaching and Learning** We see faculty and students as partners in the teaching and learning process. Our programs, curricula, and courses are designed to encourage active, experiential learning as well as collegial, scholarly, and effective communications. We believe that clinical and practical applications, including interprofessional education, provide a critical foundation for learning in the health professions. SMU graduates use sound reasoning, evidence-based care, and clinical expertise to respond to the needs of the people they serve.## ## Community and DiversityWe're more than a top health professions university. SMU is committed to training students in the importance of social determinants of health and how to care for patients from diverse backgrounds with integrity and compassion. **Our Values** If you're interested in transforming the care experience in diverse communities, SMU could be the place for you. SMU students learn to advance health equity and make a lasting impact on individuals' health and community well-being. At the core of our educational values are hands-on, experiential learning; the promotion of diversity and inclusion; and community-service outreach, locally and globally.We embrace:* A learning environment where we challenge ourselves and our students to think critically, seek mastery, and act compassionately* A collegial environment where we are fair, respectful, and behave with integrity* A collaborative environment where we partner with one another and with others in the community* An innovative environment where we take reasoned risks and move nimbly* A results-oriented environment where we provide