Dean, School of Pharmacy

The University of Kansas (KU) seeks a visionary, collaborative leader and scholar to serve as its next Dean of the School of Pharmacy.

Founded in 1865, KU is a major public research and teaching institution of 30,770 students and over 3,300 faculty on five campuses (Lawrence, Kansas City, Overland Park, Wichita, and Salina). KU is a center for learning, scholarship, and creative endeavors. Its diverse elements are united by its mission to educate leaders, build healthy communities, and make discoveries that change the world.

The KU School of Pharmacy is a world-class research institution and one of the country's premier pharmacy schools. It trains researchers who help solve the world's most pressing medical problems and elevates workforce development through educating nearly 400 pharmacists who serve the people of Kansas and beyond. With 52 full-time faculty members and FY2023 research funding of over $12 million, the KU School of Pharmacy has been in the top 20 National Institutes of Health-funded pharmacy schools for over 20 years.

Reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor, the next Dean of the School of Pharmacy is responsible for all school administration matters, including academic programs, research, personnel, budgets, alumni engagement, fundraising, and government and industry relations. The Dean is expected to be an innovative, collaborative leader and a strong advocate for pharmacological research, professional pharmaceutical education, and the school.

The ideal candidate will hold a Ph.D. or Ph.D./Pharm.D. and be eligible for the academic rank of Professor with tenure. The next Dean will have a track record of excellent academic accomplishments, credentials, and national recognition within their field. The successful candidate will have extensive executive and operational experience - including personnel administration, financial/budgeting, and strategic planning - successfully applied in a complex academic organization and have experience gained in a senior-level administrative role, such as Dean, Associate Dean, Department Chair, or Center Director.

Please see the Additional Candidate Instructions section at the end of this announcement to apply, submit a nomination, or express personal interest in this position.

The University of Kansas School of Pharmacy
The KU School of Pharmacy, located on KU's main campus in Lawrence, is a world-class research institution and one of the country's premier pharmacy schools. The school trains the pharmacists who serve the people of Kansas and researchers who help solve the world's most pressing medical problems. The Pharm.D. program offers a doctor of pharmacy degree for students who want to be pharmacy practitioners. Students enter the four-year program after completing two years of pre-pharmacy work. Current enrollment in the Pharm.D. program is 374 students. In 2023, the NAPLEX first-time pass rate was 91%, 13th nationally, and the MPJE first-time pass rate was 91%, 4th nationally.

In addition to the Pharm.D. program, the KU School of Pharmacy is home to the departments of Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmacology & Toxicology, and Pharmacy Practice, as well as the Neurosciences Program. Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medicinal Chemistry, and Pharmaceutical Chemistry departments offer master's and doctoral degrees. The Department of Pharmacy Practice offers a master's degree and two residency programs. The Neurosciences program offers a Ph.D. There are currently 96 trainees across all graduate programs. The school's current strategic plan runs through 2025.

Position Summary
As the chief academic and administrative officer of the school, the Dean reports directly to the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor of the University of Kansas. The Dean is responsible for the management and coordination of the school and for implementing its plans, programs, services, and scholarly and research endeavors. The Dean collaborates with fellow Deans across the University and leadership at KUMC to leverage opportunities afforded the school to support the growth and quality of research and education within the health sciences. The Dean supervises associate and assistant deans and department chairs in the school.

The Dean is expected to provide strong leadership to advance the school's education, research, and service missions. The Dean promotes excellence among faculty, staff, and students, oversees the school's operations, research portfolio, and finance and human resources functions, and plays a critical role in fundraising, advocacy, and alumni relations.

Complete announcement available at the below link in the Additional Candidate Instructions.

Education/Certification

• An earned doctorate in a pharmaceutical sciences discipline (or discipline complementary to the School of Pharmacy).
• A record of distinguished scholarly research, teaching, and professional accomplishments that merits appointment as a full professor with tenure.

Knowledge & Work Experience

• Track record of excellent academic accomplishments, credentials, and national recognition within their field.
• Administrative leadership experience in an academic environment, including personnel management, budgeting, grant management, and donor and foundation relationships.
• Extensive executive and operational experience, including financial/budgeting and strategic planning, successfully applied in a complex academic organization; experience gained in a senior-level administrative role, such as Dean, Associate Dean, Department Chair, or Center Director.

Leadership Skills and Competencies

• A record of building productive and collaborative relationships with a broad variety of key stakeholders.
• A passion for excellence in all aspects of the school's mission, including research, education, and clinical.
• An outstanding track record of academic accomplishment in administrative, scholarly, educational, and clinical endeavors, including navigating a complex clinical enterprise.
• A vision to develop innovative programs that build and integrate multiple strengths within the school and throughout the university.
• Strong evidence supporting the growth of an ambitious research program.
• Ability to recruit and retain outstanding faculty and staff.
• A track record of careful stewardship of institutional resources, including a commitment to compliance with all laws, regulations, and policies.
• Experience implementing interprofessional education and practice activities. Demonstrated facilitation and support for the success of all reporting personnel through comprehensive talent development.
• A national and international perspective on issues in pharmacy education, training, research, and public service.
• A strategic thinker with enthusiasm and willingness to build partnerships and experience with fundraising; ability to raise funds from interested donors.
• Ability to be a representative for the school and the university; diplomatic, persuasive, and credible to a wide variety of audiences.
• Regional and national presence in pharmacy professional societies and accrediting boards.

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include a CV/resume and a letter of interest as separate documents. Review of applications has begun, and candidates will be considered until an appointment is made.

Please direct all applications, nominations, and inquiries to the WittKieffer consultants assisting The University of Kansas with this recruitment, preferably via e-mail, to KUPharmacyDean@wittkieffer.com.

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include a CV/resume and a letter of interest as separate documents. Review of applications has begun, and candidates will be considered until an appointment is made.

Please direct all applications, nominations, and inquiries to the WittKieffer consultants assisting The University of Kansas with this recruitment, preferably via e-mail, to KUPharmacyDean@wittkieffer.com.

commensurate with experience

Sunday December 15, 2024

Tuesday July 1, 2025