Dean, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Proposed Start Date
04/01/2026

Position Summary
Reporting to the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, the Dean is the School’s Chief Executive and Academic Officer and will provide academic, intellectual, and administrative leadership to the School. The Dean leads the effort in creating a vision and advancing the mission of the School, with responsibility for the academic and research enterprise, advancement and development functions, personnel, general administration and management, compliance and risk management, and budget. The appointment is reviewed every five years.

The Dean:

• Serves as chief executive and academic administrative officer of the School of Pharmacy. The dean plans for, and stewards, 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. Consults and collaborates 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 presents 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 health care 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 including affirmative action policies and regulations governing academic standards and faculty appointment, promotion, and tenure. Assures compliance with the regulatory standards of the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy and with 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 MAHEC.
• Leads strategic planning and policy development activities of the School.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
An earned terminal degree, record of exceptional leadership success, and evidence of scholarly, professional, or creative achievement is required.

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.

Special Instructions
The UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in this search. Screening of applications (CV and cover letter) will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, and referrals should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/university-north-carolina-chapel-hill-eshelman-school-pharmacy/dean

Isaacson, Miller Search Firm
Stephanie Fidel, Partner
Amy Segal, Partner
Nick Strand, Managing Associate
Olivia McVicker, Managing Search Coordinator