Chancellor, Rutgers Health & Executive Vice President for Health Affairs and Chief Academic Officer, RWJBarnabas Health

Position Summary

The Chancellor of Rutgers Health and Executive Vice President for Health Affairs at Rutgers University and Chief Academic Officer at RWJBarnabas Health (The Chancellor) is an integral member of the University's senior executive leadership team and serves as the chief academic and research officer for Rutgers' health enterprise. Reporting directly to the President, the Chancellor provides executive academic leadership focused on education, research, faculty affairs, and scholarly advancement across Rutgers Health. The Chancellor holds senior responsibility for supervising the academic functions of the Rutgers Health schools and convening their deans and academic leaders to coordinate and elevate research, graduate and professional education, and academic program quality across the health sciences.

In addition to overseeing academic functions, the Chancellor is expected to drive system-level integration across Rutgers Health's schools, institutes, and its academic–clinical partnership with RWJBarnabas Health—aligning missions, fostering interdependent structures, and strengthening collaboration across the system. The Chancellor also works in a matrixed academic partnership with RWJBarnabas Health leadership—building trust, supporting the learning environment, advancing joint academic opportunities, and enhancing research cooperation. In this capacity, the Chancellor will also serve as Chief Academic Officer of RWJBarnabas Health, providing system-level leadership for the development and execution of a comprehensive strategy for medical education. This includes oversight of trainee recruitment and retention across medical, nursing, allied health, and pharmacy programs, as well as the expansion and cascading of research and training initiatives across the enterprise.

The Chancellor will provide senior executive academic leadership that supports the mission and strategic priorities of Rutgers University and fosters effective and efficient oversight and coordination of the academic health sciences enterprise. The role promotes collaboration, academic professionalism, and problem solving across Rutgers Health's research and educational activities and works constructively with leaders of interdisciplinary centers and institutes. The Chancellor represents the President in academic health matters by engaging with deans, chairs, center and institute directors, and University leadership, playing a central role in shaping Rutgers' academic vision for the health sciences and advancing its statewide impact in education, research, and public service.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Reports toWilliam F. Tate IV, Ph.D, President, Rutgers University

Direct reportsThe Deans of Rutgers Health Schools
Leaders of Chancellor-level institutes and centers
Chief of Staff and Cabinet leaders

Other key relationshipsRWJBH system leadership
University Hospital leadership
Chancellors for Rutgers University—Newark, New Brunswick and Camden
Deans and VPs across Rutgers University–Newark, New Brunswick, and Camden
Rutgers University Foundation staff
Rutgers University operational, strategic, and finance leaders
Faculty, staff, students, patients, families, and donors
Key political and community leaders

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide senior executive academic leadership for Rutgers Health, setting direction for education, research, and faculty affairs across its schools and Chancellor-level institutes, and coordinating the work of deans and academic leaders to strengthen the health sciences enterprise.
• Guide strategic planning and academic integration across Rutgers Health, convening leaders to align research, graduate and professional education, interprofessional learning, and academic program development with university-wide priorities, and ensuring effective stewardship of the academic mission.
• Lead enterprise-level academic integration across Rutgers Health and the Rutgers–RWJBarnabas Health partnership, overseeing cross-system alignment of academic structures, research coordination, shared governance processes, and unified planning efforts that advance a fully integrated academic health system.
• Provide guidance and oversight for academic finance and operations, collaborating with University Finance and school leaders to ensure effective resource planning, budget stewardship, and operational alignment in support of the academic mission across Rutgers Health.
• Promote the growth and impact of Rutgers Health's research enterprise, supporting large-scale, interdisciplinary initiatives; advancing core facilities and research infrastructure; strengthening compliance; and fostering collaborations that expand federal, foundation, and industry funding.
• Partner in a matrixed academic relationship with RWJBarnabas Health, working with clinical system leadership through established governance structures to support the learning environment, deepen research collaboration, and expand academic opportunities across the Rutgers–RWJBarnabas Health partnership.
• Provide clinical leadership and oversight of Rutgers Health clinical faculty practicing and teaching at University Hospital in order to sustain and expand health services in Newark in partnership with the State of New Jersey.
• Represent Rutgers Health at the University level and externally, engaging with interdisciplinary centers and institutes, state and national bodies, community partners, and public agencies to advance public understanding of health equity, social determinants of health, and Rutgers Health's role in addressing them.
• Ensure that Rutgers Health's educational programs meet all accreditation requirements, maintaining high standards of academic rigor, program quality, and continuous improvement across all levels of health sciences education.
• Advance faculty excellence, supporting recruitment, retention, development, and recognition; promoting leadership growth; and building the academic capabilities needed to strengthen research, education, and scholarly achievement.
• Strengthen and lead Rutgers Health's comprehensive fundraising and external support strategy, partnering closely with the Rutgers University Foundation and Government Relations to secure philanthropic, legislative, and public-sector funding. This includes cultivating major gifts; advancing academic, research, and clinical priorities; supporting faculty and student success; enhancing educational and research infrastructure; and securing sustained support from state and federal agencies to position Rutgers Health for long-term growth.
• Oversee the academic consolidation of Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, leading the academic planning, structural alignment, and faculty engagement necessary to unite the two schools into a single accredited medical school by 2027, and ensuring that this merger strengthens medical education, research capabilities, and Rutgers Health's long-term academic position.

DESIRED OUTCOMES

• An integrated Rutgers Health in which schools, institutes, and academic units work within a coordinated academic and financial framework—demonstrating shared priorities, streamlined decision-making, and steady progress in advancing research, graduate/professional education, interdisciplinary learning, and new program development.
• A strengthened academic-clinical partnership with RWJBarnabas Health marked by aligned strategic priorities, collaborative planning, and visible progress in joint initiatives that enhance clinical excellence, education, and community impact; sustained, high-functioning clinical affiliations with University Hospital and the VA that support patient care, education, research, and service to New Jersey communities.
• A research enterprise distinguished by expanded interdisciplinary collaboration, robust core infrastructure and compliance systems, and measurable growth in externally funded research—positioning Rutgers Health as a leader in producing work of meaningful public and community relevance.
• An academic culture characterized by integrity, faculty excellence, and shared purpose, reflected in strong recruitment and retention outcomes, broad engagement in faculty development, consistently positive accreditation results, and documented improvements in educational quality and learner experience.
• Measurable growth in external resources secured through philanthropy, fundraising initiatives, and legislative and agency support, advancing the strategic and academic priorities of Rutgers Health.
• A unified Rutgers School of Medicine—integrating NJMS and RWJMS—with aligned governance, curricula, and faculty processes, demonstrating clear enhancements in medical education quality, learner outcomes, and research capacity.
• A deepening of trust and collaboration with leaders across New Jersey and the communities served, achieved in partnership with the President.

Minimum Education and Experience:

For the position of Chancellor of Rutgers Health and Executive Vice President for Health Affairs of Rutgers University and Chief Academic Officer of RWJBarnabas Health, the institution seeks a dynamic, innovative, nationally recognized academic health leader to guide the continued evolution of Rutgers Health as one of the nation's most comprehensive academic health centers. The successful candidate will bring a strong record of health system-wide integration leadership, demonstrated credibility with clinical partners, and experience shaping research and public-impact strategies in complex academic health environments. This leader will possess the stature, strategic insight, and personal qualities to strengthen and align the academic and research direction of Rutgers Health; elevate the university's role as New Jersey's anchor for biomedical innovation; and empower leadership teams to foster cohesion across its schools and Chancellor-level institutes. In addition, the Chancellor must bring exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to build trusted relationships with community members and external partners, ensuring Rutgers Health remains deeply connected to the populations it serves.

Executive Leadership in Complex Academic EnvironmentsExtensive leadership experience at the school, department, institute, or central academic level within a major academic health center or research university including experience with accreditation bodies, research oversight, and areas of external regulatory compliance; leadership experiences should demonstrate innovation, demonstrated care for faculty, staff and students, and wise use of resources. Proven enterprise integration leadership and demonstrated credibility with clinical partners are highly desirable.

Record of Achieving and Fostering Academic ExcellenceA distinguished track record as an educator, researcher, scholar, and/or academic administrator within the biomedical, health, or life sciences. Significant accomplishments and credentials as an outstanding educator, impactful researcher and/or skilled clinician are expected. Experience developing research and public-impact strategies would be highly valuable. Leadership and participation in one or more national or international academic, scientific, and/or medical societies are preferred.

Business and Financial AcumenDemonstrated experience managing complex academic budgets, multi-source funding models, sponsored research portfolios, and resource planning within a research-intensive environment. Professional history should reflect familiarity with the financial pressures facing academic health organizations, including reliance on extramural funding, facilities management, and workforce planning. Experience working within or adjacent to an academic-practice affiliation is highly relevant.

Cutting-edge Research LeadershipProven experience with strategies to promote and support high-impact basic, translational, and clinical research within the current climate of extramural funding realities. A track record of successful extramural research funding is highly desirable.

Mission OrientationA true sense of mission to medical, biomedical, and health education, to research and the discovery of knowledge in an academic setting, to patient care access, public service, and to care innovation.

Education
An earned medical degree (MD or equivalent) is required, along with a scholarly record meriting appointment as a full professor at Rutgers University.