Assistant/Associate Dean for External Affairs

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.

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.

The UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy is the nation's top-ranked pharmacy school by US News & World Report. Our mission is to prepare leaders and innovators to solve the world's most pressing health care challenges. We aspire to be the global leader in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences to improve the health of our state, nation, and world.

The Assistant/Associate Dean (AD) for External Affairs is a senior leadership position that plays a critical role in advancing the School's reputation and builds valuable partnerships that contribute to the overall success, visibility, and impact of our academic community. The AD will promote the innovative research of our faculty who generate the most in total research grants among US pharmacy schools.

The AD leads the School's marketing and communications and government relations efforts, working closely with the Dean and the Dean's Council leadership team to further enhance the School's reputation, reach, and impact. The AD also manages the School's nation-leading scholarship program, including setting scholar selections and value-add enrichment activities for the Blouin Scholars Program.

The AD reports directly to the Dean of the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, serves on the Dean's Council leadership team, and supports the Dean as staff liaison for the Dean's Pharmacy Alumni Association ( PAA) Advisory Council. The AD will set a clear vision and develop a unified strategy that utilizes innovative approaches and creates an inclusive, positive, and productive work environment. The position collaborates for alignment with the University's offices of development, communications, and legislative affairs.

This position is critical to the School's mission and strategic plan. Responsibilities include directing and implementing marketing campaigns across all degree programs for student recruitment; overseeing an elevated web presence for recruitment and reputation; developing and implementing external communications strategies for ranking programs; maintaining and building strong relationships across campus, with the School's board of trustee liaison, and pharmacy alumni advisory committee for the school, and with state-wide strategic partners; increasing media coverage in partnership with the University's media relations team; and maximizing financial stewardship of pharmacy's philanthropic resources

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

The role requires a strategic, collaborative, and creative professional with exceptional strategic planning, reasoning, problem solving, and analytical skill; superb organizational, time-management, and communication skills; the ability to lead and manage a high-performing team; decisiveness, self-confidence, a strong sense of purpose; and a tolerance for ambiguity. Role requires flexibility to travel and work evenings and weekends.

Preference for candidates with a minimum of 10 years successful experience in marketing/communications and/or external affairs; experience working in a research-intensive professional school; and/or a deep understanding of higher education, the profession of pharmacy, and the pharmaceutical industry.

This person will be required to drive independently across the state and to neighboring states to visit with partners and alumni, be able to visit/tour alumni and partnership sites, and be available for meetings in early morning through late evening.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.