"Department Chair - Computer Science Engineering"

Job Details

Posting Number: FAC00001PO26

Advertised Title: Department Chair - Computer Science Engineering

Campus: Columbia

College/Division: College of Engineering and Computing

Department: CEC Computer Science and Engineering

Advertised Salary Range: To commensurate with qualifications

Part/Full Time: Full Time

Hours per Week: 37.5

Position Category: Full-time Equivalent (FTE)

Basis: 11 months

Work County: Richland

Tenure Information: Tenure-Track/Tenured

Job Search Category: Faculty

Desired Start Date: 08/16/2026

Job Open Date: 01/06/2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

Advertised Job Summary

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) at the University of South Carolina invites applications for the position of Department Chair. This is a leadership role for an individual with a strong vision for the future of computer science and engineering education and research, as well as a deep commitment to faculty development and student success.

[Detailed context about the college's momentum, hires, research facilities...]

Position Overview

The Department Chair will serve as the academic and administrative leader of the department, providing strategic direction, fostering collaboration, and supporting a vibrant community of scholars, educators, and students. The Chair will guide the department in defining and expanding areas of core strengths, promoting interdisciplinary sponsored research, and ensuring the highest standards of academic excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide visionary leadership that inspires faculty, staff, and students in a shared mission of academic and research excellence, fostering a culture of collaboration, mutual support, and continuous growth.
• Lead the department in recruiting and retaining high-impact faculty, including four additional tenured positions in strategically defined focus area(s).
• Lead modernization of curricula and create timely courses (in collaboration with other units) that draw students from the whole university and beyond.
• Champion innovative, multidisciplinary research initiatives that leverage faculty strengths and attract substantial federal, state, and industry funding.
• Support and leverage the university-wide AI initiative by actively promoting multidisciplinary collaboration across the campus and throughout South Carolina to grow research and broaden the impact of the CSE department.
• Serve as a proactive advocate for the department within the university and the broader academic and industrial communities.
• Facilitate effective communication among faculty, students, and university leadership, complementing and advancing the broader mission of the College of Engineering and Computing through departmental initiatives.

Desired Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in an academic or research setting, with a track record of building collaborative, high-performing teams.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience with best practices in developing undergraduate and graduate curricula.
• Experience in securing multidisciplinary, federally, and industry-funded research projects.
• A doctorate in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field is required.

Application Process

Parker Executive Search is assisting the University of South Carolina in the search for the next Chair of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. The Search Committee invites letters of nomination, applications (letter of interest, full resume/CV, and contact information of at least five references), or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting the University. Review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made. It is preferred, however, that all nominations and applications be submitted before March 24, 2026. Please submit applications directly to Parker Executive Search.

For additional information, please contact:
Porsha Williams, Vice President
Jacob Anderson, Senior Principal
Julia Butler-Mayes, Ph.D., Associate
Parker Executive Search
Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2875
Atlanta, GA 30328
(770) 804-1996 ext.: 111
janderson@parkersearch.com || jbutler-mayes@parkersearch.com

Quicklink for Posting: https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/200784