Old Dominion University

Associate or Full Professor & Inaugural Chair of the Department of Health Behavior, Policy &

Closes: Nov 23, 2026

Posting Details

Posting Details

Job Title
Associate or Full Professor & Inaugural Chair of the Department of Health Behavior, Policy & Management (Tenured Track F0129A)

Department
MASTERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH

Position Number
F0129A

Job Description

The Joint School of Public Health ( JSPH ) at Old Dominion University ( ODU ) and Norfolk State University ( NSU ) in Norfolk, Virginia invites applications from experienced, accomplished, and visionary individuals to serve as inaugural Chair of the Department of Health Behavior, Policy, & Management ( HBPM ). The Chair is expected to provide visionary leadership in departmental education, research, and service activities in alignment with the School and University’s strategic plan.

The Council on Education for Public Health ( CEPH ) formally acted to accredit JSPH in June 2026. The programs within JSPH accredited by CEPH include the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health ( BSEH ), Bachelor of Science in Public Health ( BSPH ), Master of Public Health ( MPH ), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Services Research. The Master of Healthcare Administration ( MHA ) program is housed within JSPH but is not governed under CEPH accreditation.

The HBPM Department benefits from a distinguished faculty with extensive expertise in health behavior, policy, and management. Our professors are recognized leaders in their fields, combining rigorous academic training with practical experience in public health practice. They bring a wealth of knowledge from diverse backgrounds, including social and behavioral sciences, policy analysis, and health administration, ensuring a comprehensive and forward-thinking educational experience. Their commitment to mentoring, research, and community engagement enriches the learning environment, preparing students to address complex health challenges with innovative solutions and effective management strategies.

The JSPH has selected WittKieffer, a premier executive search and advisory solutions firm, to assist with this recruitment. Candidate inquiries, nominations or requests for additional information can be sent through the office of Cody Burke, via email, at [contact details available in the full listing]

Position Type
FullTime

Type of Recruitment
General Public

Type of Recruitment
General Public

Minimum required education and/or special licenses, registrations, trainings, or certifications

Applicants must hold an earned terminal doctoral degree (Ph.D., Dr.P.H., or Sc.D.) in Health Behavior, Health Promotion, Health Education, Health Policy, Health Management or Administration, Health Services Research, or a closely related field from an accredited institution. Alternatively, candidates may have earned an M.D. degree from an accredited program with a graduate degree in public health (M.P.H. or equivalent) from an accredited public health program or school.

Minimum required level and type of experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities

A sustained record of peer-reviewed scholarship in health behavior, health promotion, health policy, health management, health services research, or a closely related area, sufficient to qualify for appointment with tenure at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor at ODU .

A minimum of five (5) years of full-time faculty experience at the rank of Assistant Professor or above at an accredited institution of higher education.

Demonstrated success in securing external research, training, or programmatic funding as Principal Investigator, Multiple Principal Investigator, or Project/Core Lead, including at least one competitively awarded, investigator-initiated or unsolicited award.

Formal academic administrative experience; for example, as department chair or vice chair, division head, graduate or academic program director, center or institute director, or an equivalent unit-level leadership role that included direct responsibility for personnel decisions and budget planning or management.

Experience teaching and mentoring students at the graduate level, including thesis, dissertation, or capstone supervision.

Experience in faculty mentoring, workload assignment, and performance evaluation, including participation in annual review or promotion and tenure processes.

Demonstrated ability to build and sustain collaborative working relationships across academic units, institutions, and/or community and practice partners.

Excellent interpersonal skills and oral and written communication skills.

Eligibility for appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor with tenure at ODU, consistent with the ODU Faculty Handbook ( https://itsapps.odu.edu/ao/facultyhandbook/index.php?page=ch02s24.html ).

Preferred Qualifications

Prior service as a department chair, vice chair, division head, or equivalent academic unit leader at a research-intensive institution.
Direct, hands-on experience with CEPH accreditation, e.g., self-study preparation, criterion response, competency mapping, or site visit management.
Experience leading an academic unit through significant organizational change, such as the formation of a new department or school, an institutional merger or consolidation, or a multi-campus or multi-institution partnership.
A demonstrated record of growing sponsored research activity within a unit, mentoring faculty to independent funding, assembling interdisciplinary teams, or building center-scale or training-grant programs.
Scholarly or professional expertise spanning at least one of the department’s core areas: health behavior, health promotion, health policy, health management and administration, and health services research.
A clear, forward-thinking vision for advancing the reputation, research profile, and visibility of the Department, School, and University.
A record of community-engaged scholarship or practice, including sustained partnership with state or local health departments, health systems, or community-based organizations.
Experience collaborating with an academic health center or health system, relevant to the Department’s opportunities within Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at ODU .
Experience with program and curriculum development, revision, and assessment at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, including online or on-campus delivery.
A demonstrated record of success in student recruitment, retention, and career placement.
Experience mentoring doctoral students and chairing dissertation committees.
National professional visibility, such as service on federal study sections or review panels, editorial boards, or in leadership roles within professional associations (e.g., APHA, AcademyHealth, AUPHA, ASPPH, SOPHE, or ACHE ).
Familiarity with the health and workforce needs of coastal, rural, and military-connected communities, and with the public health landscape of the Hampton Roads region.

Conditions of Employment

Location
Norfolk, VA

Job Open Date
09/21/2026

Application Review Date
11/30/2026

Open Until Filled
Yes

Application Instructions

Applicants must apply at https://jobs.odu.edu/postings/27270 and submit each of the following required documents:

Cover letter concisely addressing the required and preferred qualification bullets listed above.
Current curriculum vita.
Concise vision statement for department development.
Unofficial graduate transcripts.
Contact information for three (3) professional references.

Applications must be submitted by November 30, 2026 for full consideration. The position will remain open until it is filled. Questions about the position should be directed to the search committee Chair, Dr. Poplin, at gpoplin@odu.edu .

Telework Friendly
No

Reasonable Accommodation Request

If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation, please contact the Division of Talent Management and Culture at (757)683-3141.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or consistent with contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

About the College

The Joint School of Public Health is a partnership between Old Dominion University and Norfolk State University. Its expertise and collaboration embody forward-thinking and community-responsive approaches to public health education and outreach located at both campuses. Information regarding public health at ODU and NSU, visit https://www.odu.edu/public-health and https://www.nsu.edu/public-health .

For information about the recent integration of Eastern Virginia Medical School into Old Dominion University to create the Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University, please visit https://www.odu.edu/article/macon-joan-brock-virginia-health-sciences-at-old-dominion-university-launches .

About the Department

The Department of Health Behavior, Policy and Management ( HBPM ) is dedicated to shaping future leaders in health behavior, policy, management, and research. We tackle critical population and organizational challenges through a blend of innovative education, cutting-edge research, and practical application. Our health behavior experts are committed to advancing public health by addressing the root causes of health issues. Meanwhile, our health policy and management specialists focus on creating evidence-based solutions to systemic challenges, preparing the next generation of healthcare administrators, policymakers, and researchers to ensure accessible, high-quality care for all.

Learn more about the HBPM Department at: https://www.odu.edu/health-behavior-policy-management .

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Old Dominion University

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AcademicJobs.com is the premier platform to discover ODU jobs, connecting talented professionals with rewarding career opportunities at one of Virginia’s dynamic public research universities. Old Dominion University (ODU), located in Norfolk, Virginia, is recognized for its innovative research and commitment to student success, making ODU uni jobs highly appealing to academics and professionals globally. ODU careers offer a vibrant and collaborative environment for individuals to thrive. ODU university careers span a diverse range of disciplines, reflecting the university’s key areas of academic specialization, including engineering, cybersecurity, health sciences, business, and maritime studies. Employment ODU includes roles such as professors, lecturers, research associates, and professional staff positions, catering to various expertise levels. For those pursuing ODU jobs Norfolk, the university’s coastal campus provides a collaborative workplace in a vibrant, historic city with strong ties to the maritime industry. ODU vacancies and job postings are showcased on AcademicJobs.com, where candidates can explore opportunities in teaching, cutting-edge research, and administrative roles. Jobs at ODU cover fields like coastal resilience, data science, and nursing, aligning with the university’s mission to address regional and global challenges through innovation and community engagement. Each ODU vacancy is an opportunity to contribute to impactful initiatives within a supportive academic community. ODU Employment Opportunities are diverse, with ODU job Opportunities ranging from instructional faculty to technical and operational roles. An ODU Career offers the chance to join an institution that values diversity, entrepreneurship, and societal impact. ODU uni openings are regularly updated on AcademicJobs.com, ensuring access to the latest ODU vacancies. Jobs at ODU uni are ideal for those passionate about advancing education and regional progress. ODU job postings include positions in education, computer science, and professional services such as IT and student affairs. ODU Employment through AcademicJobs.com connects talented individuals with ODU Uni vacancies, providing a seamless pathway to join a forward-thinking university shaping the future of Virginia and beyond.

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