Dean, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy

Dean, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. The UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy is the only public pharmacy school in North Carolina and one of the oldest in the nation. It advances the teaching, research, and public service mission of UNC as the nation’s No. 1 school of pharmacy. Globally, the School is ranked No. 3 among pharmacy schools and No. 5 overall in the QS World University Rankings. Its mission is to prepare leaders and innovators to solve the world’s most pressing healthcare challenges. Chemical Biology & Medicinal Chemistry (CBMC) Pharmacoengineering & Molecular Pharmaceutics (DPMP) Pharmacotherapy & Experimental Therapeutics (DPET) Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy (DPOP) Practice Advancement & Clinical Education (PACE) The Role The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill seeks a strategic, collaborative, and innovative leader to serve as the next Dean of the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. This is an extraordinary opportunity for a forward‑looking leader to build upon the School’s legacy of excellence while shaping the future of pharmacy education, research, and healthcare innovation on a national and global scale. The Dean will inherit a highly regarded school with exceptional faculty, deeply committed staff, strong student outcomes, nationally recognized research programs, and distinctive assets such as innovation initiatives and global partnerships. The School community is defined by excellence, authenticity, collegiality, and a human‑centered culture. The next Dean must embrace and advance this culture while positioning the School for continued growth and national leadership in an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving healthcare, research, practice, and higher education landscape. The Dean Serves as chief executive officer of the School of Pharmacy, planning for, and stewarding, the fiscal and material resources needed to offer the educational, research, and service programs of the School. Administers the School’s educational, research, and public service programs, consulting and collaborating with faculty and administrators on decisions related to school strategy, including academic affairs. Recommends to the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost the appointments, promotions, and tenure of School of Pharmacy faculty members. Serves as the School’s representative on various University policy and decision bodies and is the official representative of the School to external constituencies. Leads the School’s advancement and development activities to promote the School’s vision, mission, values, and strategic plan; stewards advancement/development by serving as a voting member of the Board of the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Foundation and presenting the School’s accomplishments and needs to that body; collaborates with individuals, groups, schools, programs, alumni, and organizations within the University, the broader pharmacy and healthcare community, and the public at large to promote the goals of the School. Assures compliance with the general policies and practices of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, including affirmative action policies and regulations governing academic standards and faculty appointment, promotion, and tenure; ensures compliance with the regulatory standards of the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy and the professional standards of educational accrediting bodies; oversees the School’s risk management plan. Stewards the management and viability of the School’s satellite campus in Asheville, NC at UNC Health Sciences at Mountain Area Health Education Center. Leads strategic planning and policy development activities of the School. Specific responsibilities include leading and partnering with the following groups and functions: development/fundraising, marketing and communications, compliance/policy/ethics, external and government relations, finance and budget management, faculty and staff leadership, research administration, strategic planning, and student administration and academic program oversight. Opportunities and Strategic Priorities for the Dean The School is widely viewed as a national model for innovation in pharmacy education, research, and practice. The next Dean will have the opportunity to further establish the School as the leading voice in shaping the future of pharmacy education, transformative pharmaceutical sciences research, and healthcare delivery. The Dean should foster innovation across all domains of the School—educational delivery and curriculum design, translation of research discoveries into real‑world impact, practice advancement and care delivery, interdisciplinary collaboration, workforce development, and industry partnerships. The next Dean will be expected to move beyond maintaining existing success and instead position the School to define the future of the profession globally by advancing a culture that encourages creativity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and transformative thinking. Lead in Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies The next Dean will help establish a strategic vision for how the School can lead the profession in leveraging AI while thoughtfully addressing its risks and implications. The School is well positioned to become a national leader in the application of artificial intelligence in pharmacy education, research, and clinical practice. Specific opportunities include the expansion of AI integration within teaching and curriculum, research capabilities in AI‑enabled drug discovery and development, student learning and experience in AI applications in clinical practice, and ethical and responsible AI leadership within healthcare education. Expand Research and Industry Partnerships North Carolina’s rapidly growing pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and manufacturing sectors create substantial opportunities for the School to deepen industry engagement and strengthen workforce development pipelines. Building upon a solid foundation, the Dean has an opportunity to lead the School and expand collaborations with industry and external partners, create additional internship, fellowship, and experiential learning opportunities, grow translational and interdisciplinary research initiatives, and advance pharmacoengineering and related fields aligned with University initiatives. The Dean will play a critical role in strengthening research partnerships and identifying new opportunities for external funding and collaboration. Strengthen Statewide and Health System Collaborations The School is uniquely positioned to strengthen partnerships across UNC Health, statewide healthcare systems, and community organizations. The next Dean will have the opportunity to expand team‑based care delivery models, strengthen engagement with Medicaid and Medicare populations, advance policy and practice innovation, increase student exposure to communities across North Carolina, and foster collaborations that improve healthcare access and outcomes statewide. Lead the Next Campaign and Expand Philanthropic Support The School is entering an important period of philanthropic opportunity aligned with broader University fundraising priorities. The Dean must serve as an externally engaged and highly visible fundraiser capable of articulating an inspiring vision for the School, building relationships with donors, alumni, industry, and University leadership, advancing campaign priorities, and securing resources to support strategic initiatives, facilities, research, and student success. Immediate Priorities for the Next Dean Learn, support, and advance the School’s existing strategic plan Sustain and strengthen the research enterprise Support graduate education and funding stability Advance strategic growth areas, including AI and pharmacoengineering Address facilities and space modernization needs Promote the PharmD program and curriculum, which features a vanguard approach to active learning Maintain and elevate the School’s national and global standing and impact Preserve and strengthen the School’s distinctive culture, including promoting an environment that positively contributes to the recruitment and retention of students, faculty, and staff Partner with the UNC Chief Development Officer and President of the Eshelman School of Pharmacy Foundation to develop and execute a multi‑year fundraising strategy in preparation for the upcoming campaign Minimum Education and Experience Requirements Candidates should have an earned terminal degree, a record of exceptional leadership success, and evidence of scholarly, professional, or creative achievement. Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience Extensive experience in pharmacy professional and graduate program administration and executive leadership Progressive academic leadership experience Strong track record of independently‑funded scholarship Demonstrated record of fostering excellence in research, teaching, and service Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience Former experience in pharmacy school administrative role Ability to think strategically and build effective institutional partnerships Demonstrated administrative experience, a high standard of professional integrity, and strong team‑building skills Ability to articulate effectively the School's vision and mission to the students, faculty, alumni, practitioners, external funding agencies, and other decision‑making bodies The Ideal Candidate Profile The successful candidate will be a strategic, visionary, and relational leader with the experience and credibility to lead the nation’s top pharmacy school through its next era of growth and transformation. The Dean should shepherd the School’s rich culture of collaboration, community, and connection. Competitive candidates will bring many of the following characteristics Demonstrated academic leadership experience Strong understanding of research, education, and pharmacy practice advancement Business and financial acumen Experience with fundraising and external engagement Ability to lead strategic planning and organizational execution Track record of building collaborative partnerships Experience navigating complex institutional environments Commitment to innovation and thoughtful risk‑taking Understanding of evolving healthcare and higher education trends Commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and translational impact The next Dean should demonstrate: Authenticity and humility Empathy and emotional intelligence Transparency and honesty Active listening skills Openness to diverse perspectives Strong communication and relationship‑building abilities Collaborative and empowering leadership Commitment to supporting faculty, staff, and students Ability to inspire trust across constituencies Equal Opportunity Statement from UNC Human Resources The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. #J-18808-Ljbffr