Department Head (With Faculty Rank)

About the Job

The Department of Aerospace Engineering & Mechanics (AEM) at the University of Minnesota seeks applicants for the position of Department Head.

The successful candidate should be an experienced and visionary leader with a deep commitment to both research and academic excellence to serve as the next Department Head. The department currently has 20 full-time faculty members with approximately 240 undergraduate and 80 graduate students. The department maintains a vigorous and diverse research portfolio with an annual research expenditure of $14M.

Responsibilities for this position include:

Departmental Leadership

• In collaboration with department faculty, promote a vision and mission for the department consistent with current and future needs, strengths and talents of departmental personnel and with the vision and mission of the College and University
• Maintain an equitable and inclusive work environment for Aerospace Engineering & Mechanics faculty and staff and support a culture that advances diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Monitor the administrative, financial, and space management components of the department
• Enhance recognition of the department on national and international stages
• Together with departmental faculty, oversee curriculum delivery and development and assess educational outcomes
• Raise extramural funds in support of the department’s missions of teaching, research, and service

Faculty Oversight, Recruitment, and Development

• Support and promote the teaching, research, and service activities of the department’s faculty members
• Lead faculty recruitment efforts and, in conjunction with departmental faculty, identify areas of current need and future development for the department
• In conjunction with college and university offices, facilitate and oversee processes related to recruitment, promotion, and tenure

College and University Leadership

• Serve on the Dean’s Administrative Council with other department heads and collegiate leadership
• Report directly to the Dean and work with Associate Deans and other department heads to achieve collegiate goals
• Participate in collegiate and university-level budget processes
• Attend and participate in college, university, and external activities identified by the Dean as critical to the mission of the institution

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Doctorate in Aerospace Engineering or related field
• An outstanding record in research, teaching, and service commensurate with appointment as a tenured full professor in the Aerospace Engineering & Mechanics Department at University of Minnesota

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to create, communicate, and implement, in collaboration with department faculty, a vision for the department’s future that builds upon and accentuates the department’s strengths
• Strong leadership, management, and communication abilities
• Ability to maintain and nurture the department’s culture of collaboration and collegiality
• A willingness and ability to advocate for the needs of the department
• Interest in encouraging and supporting multi-disciplinary collaborations
• Deep commitment to undergraduate and graduate education
• Ability to work with diverse groups of faculty, staff, students, administrators, alumni, and industry representatives