Department Head, Human Development and Family Science

The College of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Georgia is launching a search for leadership of the Department of Human Development and Family Science (HDFS). Nominations and applications for qualified candidates both internal and external to the department are encouraged. Applicants must hold an earned doctorate in human development and family science, or closely related area, a proven record of scholarship in family or developmental science, and evidence of leadership and commitment to excellence in undergraduate and graduate education and public service.

 

The Department Head will inspire an expansive vision for the future and effectively interact with a constituency that includes academia, government, industry, alumni, and students. This position requires strong leadership capabilities, the ability to secure and manage public and private funding, and the capacity to lead the faculty and its programs to a higher level of excellence. Excellent leadership, interpersonal, communication, and managerial skills are required.

 

 

UGA, College, and Department:

 

The University of Georgia (UGA), located in Athens, is a public research university, a land-grant/sea-grant institution in the University System of Georgia. Founded in 1785, UGA is the largest and most comprehensive educational institution in the state. The campus and community of Athens offer many cultural and recreational opportunities. UGA has approximately 37,000 students and has been consistently ranked as one of the top public institutions of higher education in the United States. The Athens campus is approximately 75 miles northeast of Atlanta, 60 miles from Blue Ridge Mountains, and 195 miles from the Atlantic coast. Athens fosters a rich cultural environment interconnected with the university and is perennially identified as one of America’s most livable cities. Additional information about the college and university can be found at: http://www.fcs.uga.edu/and http://www.uga.edu/.

 

The Department of Human Development and Family Science has 23 faculty, approximately 485 undergraduate, and 35 graduate students. The multidisciplinary program emphasizes diversity in families through the life cycle. More information about the department and College can be found at www.fcs.uga.edu.

 

 

Summary of Responsibilities and Expectations:

 

• Provide outstanding leadership and administrative oversight, understand complex finance and budgetary information, handle sensitive personnel matters, and provide effective and responsible management of available resources;
• Recruit, mentor and advance faculty and staff through the steps of appointment, reappointment, promotion and tenure, and support recognition appropriate to position and rank, thereby building a high quality and cohesive faculty;
• Serve as a strong advocate for the unit, actively engaging faculty, alumni and donors; provide intentional and active leadership to initiatives and work collaboratively with external relations to maximize the visibility and the reputation of the unit;
• Report annually to the Dean on the teaching, research and public service programs of the unit including assessments of the performance of faculty members in the department, giving special attention to quality in areas of assigned responsibilities in teaching, research and public service;
• Build relationships with disciplinary professionals, agencies, and associations in the state, region, and nationally;
• Communicate and work effectively and collegially with individuals on and off campus;
• Build on existing strengths in the College and UGA including the Aspire Clinic, the accredited Marriage and Family Therapy Doctoral Program, the Child Life program, the Quantitative Methods in Family and Social Sciences Certificate Program, the McPhaul Child Development Lab, the Institute on Human Development and Disability, the Owens Institute for Behavioral Research, and the Center for Family Research.
• Foster innovation and entrepreneurship while building consensus for new initiatives and ideas;
• Develop a collegial environment committed to inclusiveness, affirmative action, and diversity and foster an environment of shared governance; and
• Appreciate and respect the various disciplines and missions of the College.

 

The Department Head reports directly to the Dean of the College of Family and Consumer Sciences with annual reviews and third year administrative reviews informed by the faculty of the unit. The Department Head is a member of a College leadership team committed to the integration of the missions of research, instruction, and outreach in a research land-grant institution.

 

The position is a nine-month academic year appointment with administrative and summer months’ salary supplement and potential for appointment to endowed professor while serving as Department Head. Time allocation is 60-70% administration and 30-40% research or teaching, to be determined based on the interests and strengths of the candidate and fit with the needs of the unit at the time of hire.

 

 

QUALIFICATIONS

 

Required Qualifications:

 

• Earned doctorate in human development and family science or closely related area.
• Current professor with tenure, or at least five years as associate professor with tenure qualifying for rank of professor at time of hire. To be eligible for tenure on appointment, candidates must be appointed as full professor, have been tenured at a prior institution, and bring a demonstrably national reputation to the institution. They also must be approved for tenure upon appointment before hire.
• A proven record of scholarly achievement, clear and convincing evidence of leadership and administrative effectiveness, and a commitment to excellence in research, undergraduate and graduate education, and public service.
• Demonstrated leadership at a management level including, program development and accredited programs.
• Evidence of a national and/or international reputation in a substantive area of the discipline and strengths of the department.

 

 

Preferred Qualifications:

 

• Demonstrated administrative and organizational skills, as evidenced by successful performance in: personnel management; budget and fiscal management; program planning, management, oversight and evaluation; and resource procurement including grants and contracts.
• Outstanding scholarly achievements and research productivity as well as a record of submitting and obtaining federally-funded grants.
• Involvement in pivotal networks in the discipline.

 

SALARY

 

Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

 

Applications received by January 15, 2019 will receive full consideration. Position is open until filled. Anticipated start date is August 1, 2019.

 

Complete applications will include a letter of application addressing the qualifications and ability to meet the expectations, a vita, and names and contact information for three references. References will not be contacted without prior permission of candidate. The applications and supporting documents should be uploaded via the UGAJobs: http://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/33031.

 

To request a descriptive Opportunity Profile for this position, provide a nomination, or seek additional information, please contact Lisa Christopher, Primary Consultant with the UGA Search Group, 706-542-5196 or lisa.christopher@uga.edu. Letters of recommendation or a simple nomination should include the name and contact information for the nominee.

 

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. As such, the University of Georgia is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community. We not only strongly encourage women, minorities and other diverse candidates to consider applying for this position, but we also maintain that all candidates should share our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (HRWeb@uga.edu). Please do not contact the department or search committee with such requests.