Roles and responsibilities
The Dean reports directly to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (VCAA) and is responsible for:
- Ensuring the effective discharge of assigned duties.
- Overseeing the academic, financial, and administrative management of the College.
- Cultivating constructive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Promoting an environment of excellence in teaching, research, and professional service.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Dean’s primary responsibilities include:
Strategic Leadership:
- Develop and articulate a clear strategic vision for the College, ensuring alignment with the institution’s mission and goals.
- Lead the development, enhancement, and continuous improvement of academic programs, curricula, and study plans.
- Actively engage faculty, staff, and students in the strategic planning and decision-making processes.
Academic Excellence:
- Ensure the continuous assessment and enhancement of academic programs through the development of learning objectives, innovative strategies, and feedback mechanisms.
- Lead efforts to secure and maintain national and international accreditations relevant to medical education and healthcare training.
- Foster a culture of academic integrity, innovation, and excellence in teaching, research, and service.
Faculty and Staff Development:
- Provide recommendations on the recruitment, promotion, and retention of faculty and staff to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
- Promote professional development opportunities for faculty and staff to enhance their skills and expertise.
- Encourage collaborative and interdisciplinary research among faculty members.
Resource Management:
- Develop and manage the College’s budget and allocate resources effectively to achieve strategic goals.
- Oversee the acquisition and maintenance of facilities, equipment, and technology to support teaching, research, and clinical training.
External Relations and Outreach:
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with healthcare institutions, government agencies, and educational institutions locally and globally.
- Facilitate funding and sponsorship opportunities to support research, clinical training, and community healthcare initiatives.
- Represent the College in professional forums, conferences, and community events to enhance its reputation and visibility.
Governance and Collaboration:
- Actively participate in the Council for Academic Affairs (CfAA) meetings and contribute to institutional initiatives.
- Collaborate with other academic and administrative units to support interdisciplinary programs and initiatives.
Qualifications:
- A doctorate (MD) or equivalent, along with a PhD or Doctorate in a relevant field from a reputable and accredited institution.
- A distinguished academic record, including appointment at the rank of Professor.
- Demonstrated administrative leadership and managerial experience (preferably as a Dean) in a reputable and accredited medical college.
- Proven experience in budget planning, personnel management, and resource allocation.
- Established track record in clinical outreach, fostering partnerships, and securing research funding.
- Extensive clinical experience with renown Board Certification is highly preferred.
Desired candidate profile
1. Academic Leadership and Strategy
- Curriculum Development: Ensuring that the curriculum aligns with the latest developments in medical education, including integrating advances in medical science, technology, and healthcare delivery. The Dean is responsible for maintaining and enhancing the quality of medical education, including undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs.
- Accreditation and Compliance: Leading efforts to maintain and renew accreditation from bodies such as the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), and ensuring that the college adheres to regulatory standards and best practices in medical education.
- Program Development: Expanding or enhancing medical programs, including specialties, joint degrees, or interprofessional education initiatives that involve collaboration with nursing, pharmacy, and public health programs.
- Faculty Development: Supporting the recruitment, retention, and professional development of faculty members, ensuring that they have the resources and support to thrive in teaching, research, and clinical practice.
- Student Success: Overseeing student recruitment, admissions, and retention processes. Promoting student well-being, mentoring, and career guidance, and ensuring a diverse, inclusive, and equitable educational environment.
2. Research and Innovation
- Research Strategy: Driving the research agenda of the College of Medicine by supporting faculty research initiatives, securing funding, and promoting interdisciplinary research collaborations with other colleges or institutions.
- Clinical and Translational Research: Promoting research that bridges laboratory discoveries with clinical applications to improve patient care. Encouraging partnerships with hospitals, medical centers, and health organizations for clinical trials and studies.
- External Funding: Overseeing efforts to secure research grants and philanthropic support from federal agencies (e.g., National Institutes of Health (NIH)), private foundations, industry partnerships, and alumni.
- Innovation and Technology: Fostering innovation in medical technology, healthcare delivery, and health informatics. Supporting initiatives that explore new methods and practices in medical education, patient care, and research.
3. Clinical Affairs and Partnerships
- Clinical Operations: Collaborating with hospitals, clinics, and healthcare systems to ensure that the College of Medicine provides high-quality clinical training for medical students, residents, and fellows. This includes overseeing the development of teaching hospitals and clinical practices affiliated with the institution.
- Faculty and Staff Leadership: Ensuring that medical faculty are involved in clinical teaching and practice while also conducting research. Managing the balance between clinical care, research, and teaching responsibilities.
- Health System Partnerships: Building and maintaining partnerships with healthcare systems, public health organizations, and other medical institutions to improve patient care and expand educational opportunities for students.
- Patient-Centered Care: Ensuring that the college emphasizes the importance of patient-centered care in both education and practice, promoting compassion, communication, and cultural competency in the training of medical professionals.