Job Details
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Employment Type: Full Time
Institution Type: Four-Year Institution
Department: SOP-Office of the Dean-450100
Career Area: Academic Administration
Posting Open Date: 05/21/2026
Open Until Filled: Yes
Position Type: Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)
Working Title: Dean, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy
Appointment Type: Administrative and Managerial
Position Number: 01002545
Vacancy ID: NF0009786
Full Time/Part Time: Full-Time Permanent
FTE: 1
Hours per week: 40
Position Location: North Carolina, US
Proposed Start Date: 01/01/2027
Be a Tar Heel!
A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities . Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn. One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and…
professional opportunities that span the campus and community. University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package , paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:
The UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy (www.pharmacy.unc.edu) is one of six health science schools (Pharmacy, Nursing, Dentistry, Social Work, Public Health, Medicine) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is one of the oldest health science academic programs at Chapel Hill. The School teaches approximately 600 PharmD students and 145 graduate students. The School has built a reputation for its continued pursuit of excellence, rigorous education and training programs, cutting-edge multidisciplinary research, progressive pharmacy practices, efficient business operations, and its outstanding faculty, staff, and students. The School was named the number one School of Pharmacy in the U.S. by the U.S. News and World Report. The School has experienced unprecedented growth and success and continues to strategically position itself for sustained impact, as articulated in the School’s Strategic Plan (https://pharmacy.unc.edu/about/oe/strategic-plan/).
Our Vision is to be the global leader in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences. Our Mission is to prepare leaders and innovators to solve the world’s most pressing health care challenges. We are Advancing Medicine for Life through innovation and collaboration in pharmacy practice, education, research, and public service.
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.
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities:
This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority in accordance with the Clery Act. This position will be required to report Clery crimes to the Clery Compliance Manager and complete annual training about reporting responsibilities.
Special Instructions:
Priority consideration will be given to materials received by July 27, 2026. Applications should include a 1) current CV and 2) a letter of interest that addresses the responsibilities and qualifications described above. Buffkin/Baker, an executive search firm, is assisting the university in the search. Inquiries of interest, nominations, and applications should be submitted electronically, in confidence, to:
Mr. Martin M. Baker, Managing Partner
Buffkin / Baker
martin@buffkinbaker.com
Buffkin / Baker website: https://jobs.crelate.com/portal/buffkinbaker/job/gerodyquxxfmfbk8bjkcj9b4de
Organization
The nation’s first public university is at the heart of what’s next, preparing a diverse student body to become creators, explorers, innovators and leaders in North Carolina and throughout the world. Carolina’s nationally recognized, innovative teaching, campus-wide spirit of inquiry and dedication to public service continue the legacy that began in 1795 when the University first opened its doors to students.
Here, in one of America's most beautiful college settings, we offer exceptional careers in richly diverse fields. Come explore what UNC-Chapel Hill has to offer you.
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 19,117
- Graduate/Professional Enrollment: 10,894
- Total Student Enrollment: 30,011
- Founded: 1789, as the first state university in the United States
- Type of Institution: Public, four-year
- Undergraduate Admission: 15,961
- Graduate/Professional Enrollment: 10,039
- Total Student Enrollment: 26,000
- Faculty: 3,000
- Percentage of faculty who hold Ph.D.s or the highest degrees in their field: 94 percent
- Faculty/student ratio: 1/14
Location: UNC is located in the heart of Chapel Hill, the best college town in America! It's a friendly town of about 40,000 in the geographical center of North Carolina. Chapel Hill is at the western point of the Research Triangle, an area of about one million people, comprised of Chapel Hill, the cities of Durham and Raleigh, and the Research Triangle Park, home of many corporate offices and scientific research centers. Carolina is about 30 miles from the state capital, Raleigh, and 20 minutes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
Chapel Hill's main street, Franklin Street, borders the campus and offers shops, coffee houses, cafés, movie theaters and houses of worship. The town has a historic district, museum, library, parks, malls, and many recreational facilities.
Origins of Carolina's students: 82 percent of UNC's freshmen are from North Carolina and 18 percent are from out-of-state. Our students come from 42 different states and our international students represent 37 countries.
Size of freshman class: Approximately 3,400
Class size: Barely five percent of undergraduate classes contain more than 100 students; two-thirds of undergraduate classes have fewer than 30 students. Forty-one percent have fewer than 20 students, including First Year Seminars, in which first-year students work closely with professors.
Sports and athletic programs: UNC is an NCAA Division I school with 28 varsity teams. Carolina is the proud home of the Dean Smith Center, Kenan Stadium, Carmichael Auditorium, Koury Natatorium, and many other fine athletic facilities. Students join more than 60 intramural and club sports, which include baseball, bowling, crew, golf, lacrosse, rock climbing, rugby, tae kwon do, and ultimate frisbee. The Student Recreation Center offers weight training, aerobics, stair machines, and all the equipment you would expect to find at a great health club! Carolina offers a newly renovated outdoor pool and indoor pools, a golf course, tennis courts, and the longest zipline in America!
Number of residence halls: Incoming undergraduates will live in one of Carolina's 29 residence halls, which are wired for Internet access and cable television. housing.unc.edu
Scholarships and financial aid: About 40 percent of UNC-Chapel Hill students receive scholarships and/or some form of financial aid. studentaid.unc.edu
Special research institutes: Institute for Research in Social Science, Institute of Outdoor Drama, Morehead Planetarium, Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, Institute of Government, Institute of African American Research.
Career services: On-campus counseling, job fairs, résumé writing service, internships, placement services. www.unc.edu/depts/career
Technological facilities: Students find multiple uses for Carolina's state-of-the-art technological resources. They can access Carolina's computer services through Academic Technology and Networks, which manages academic computing, e-mail, microcomputing labs, interactive media presentation, video and classroom support, and a help desk. The MetaLab oversees the development of SunSITE, one of the world's busiest digital library and electronic publishing projects.
Students may open e-mail accounts, and many use campus computer resources to construct personal Web pages. Students in residence halls have hardwired network connections to the Internet and cable television in their rooms. At the ATN Training center, students may take classes on software packages and utilities. Computer labs are available for student use all over campus.
Carolina Computing Initiative: Beginning with the freshman class of 2000, undergraduates must purchase laptop computers. The University has arranged for IBM to offer computers at excellent prices. Students, faculty, and staff will enjoy cost savings, higher quality compatible equipment, and better technical support through CCI. www.unc.edu/cci
The Study Abroad program allows students to live and learn in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Rim, Africa, and the Americas. www.unc.edu/depts/abroad
The Honors Program offers special seminars, research programs, and the chance to design your own independent studies. www.unc.edu/depts/honors
Carolina students spend time in public service through student organizations, the Campus Y, the Carolina Center for Public Service, and courses that incorporate community service.
UNC's chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, a national collegiate honor society, is the oldest in North Carolina, dating from 1904. There are many other honorary societies at Carolina.
UNC offers ROTC programs in all branches of national military service.
Through the First Year Seminars program, first year students will understand what it means to study at a premier research university. They will learn from faculty members and share in their research in seminars of no more than 20 students.
Life outside the classroom: More than 370 clubs, teams, and student organizations offer something for everyone! You can choose from among musical and dramatic performing groups, publications, ethnic and religious clubs, the Campus Y and other service organizations, fraternities and sororities, and pre-professional organizations. Whatever your interests, you will find others at Carolina who share them! www.unc.edu/depts/union/student/listintr.htm
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