Description

Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean

Summary: The Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean is the Chief Academic Officer of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM), overseeing the institution’s educational programs in accordance with the mission of the institution. Reporting to the President, the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean has the responsibility and authority to develop, organize, direct and coordinate the entire academic program. This position advises the President of WVSOM on academic matters and may serve as Chief Executive Officer in the absence of WVSOM President and Vice President of Finance & Facilities. Candidates must have a D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) degree from a COCA-accredited college of osteopathic medicine to qualify.

Primary Leadership Duties and Responsibilities

• Demonstrates an active and consistent commitment and respect for the mission of WVSOM.
• Provides academic leadership for WVSOM serving as both Provost for the Institution and Dean for the D.O. program and the M.S.B.S. program, as well as any future graduate programs.
• Models and expects kind, respectful and professional behavior amongst all faculty, staff and students.
• Encourages a supportive and welcoming environment in which students, faculty and staff can thrive.
• Develops and oversees the management of the academic budget, having the responsibility and authority for the fiscal management of the academic program.
• Responsible for employee management of staff in the academic units in WVSOM. Works effectively with the faculty, students, staff, alumni, medical profession, administration, and other constituencies to foster the development and implementation of quality osteopathic medical education, research and scholarly activity, and service-learning programs.
• Serves on the WV Higher Education Policy Commission Provost Council.
• Administratively responsible for the delivery and quality of the medical education program and for ensuring the adequacy of faculty at the school and each of its educational sites.
• Collaborates and works in conjunction with the Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education to assure strong career advising, graduate medical education and rural outreach programs.
• Provides leadership in the acquisition of state, federal, and private funds to deliver research and academic programs of WVSOM.
• Initiates and/or maintains positive and productive relationships with affiliated WVSOM organizations, medical school deans, and various constituencies at the state and national level. Serves as WVSOM’s representative to a wide range of boards and organizations.
• Positively represents WVSOM by serving on committees for national Osteopathic medicine organizations such as the AOA and AACOM (including the Board of Deans at AACOM).
• Initiates, implements and manages programs to meet effective and efficient student recruitment, admissions, and retention.
• Responsible for ensuring all American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) standards of continued accreditation are consistently met. In conjunction with the AVP of Institutional Effectiveness and the Director of Accreditation, serves as a liaison officer with accrediting agencies, including Higher Learning Commission and COCA. Additionally, this position will work to ensure that WVSOM complies with institutional, state, federal and accrediting agencies' policies, procedures, regulatory and statutory standards as they apply to WVSOM’s delivery of the academic program. 
• In conjunction with the President and other Vice Presidents, ensures the development and implementation of strategic planning and short-term and long-range operational plans associated with the academic strategic plan.
• As directed by the President and Board of Governors, and in conjunction with others at WVSOM, will be responsible for the feasibility, development and implementation of new graduate programs.
• Informs the President and Board of Governors concerning the status, needs, accomplishments and concerns of WVSOM related to the academic program.
• Responsible for the selection and appointment of departmental chairpersons, assistant and associate deans and directors in the academic program.
• Recruits, develops, and retains competent faculty and staff within academic departments.
• Formulates and implements policies, procedures and practices for the assigned functional areas within WVSOM and makes associated recommendations to the President.
• Provides strategic and policy leadership for the WVSOM President relative to WVSOM’s academic program.
• Directs training and health care delivery including positive and ongoing relationships with preceptors, hospitals and clinics, especially the Robert C. Byrd Clinic.
• Liaises between Vice Presidents, Associate and Assistant Deans, Directors and other WVSOM personnel with regard to policy and operational oversight.
• Demonstrates an ability to effectively lead faculty and staff in the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the institution. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the State’s policies and applicable laws.
• Represents the President in a variety of capacities as assigned and serves, or has oversight of, various teams and committees.
• Is actively involved in management meetings, Strategic Planning, President’s Forum and other committees.
• Convenes and directs the Dean’s Cabinet and other related meetings.
• Provides leadership and oversight to the Clinical Evaluation Center, Clinical Education, Preclerkship Education, Library, Registrar’s Office, Clinical, OPP and Biomedical Departments, Office of National Boards, Exam Center, Institutional Effectiveness, Student Affairs, Graduate Medical Education, Rural and International Medicine Center, Research and Sponsored Programs, Admissions and Graduate Programs.
• Provides initiative and oversight of the recruiting process in conjunction with the Office of Admissions and Admissions Committee.
• Engages in other related activities as assigned by the President as needed for the benefit of WVSOM.

Qualifications

• Earned Degree as Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) from a COCA-accredited college of osteopathic medicine.
• AOA or ABMS board certification at some time in their career.
• Eligible for a current license to practice osteopathic medicine in the State of West Virginia.
• Must be free of disciplinary actions or sanctions while licensed.
• A minimum of five (5) years in a leadership position in medical education and academic development and administration (including budget management authority), ideally in a college of osteopathic medicine within the last ten (10) years.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Commitment and respect for the mission of WVSOM and improving health care in West Virginia.
• Demonstrated academic leadership abilities including significant leadership experience as a senior administrator at a COCA-accredited College of Osteopathic Medicine and a record of significant participation in academic leadership role at the state and/or national levels.
• Significant experience in clinical practice is desired.
• Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to develop relationships with the entire medical community for the benefit of the college and its primary teaching clinic, Robert C. Byrd Clinic, as well as MSOPTI Hospitals.
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence in osteopathic medical education and health care delivery.
• Demonstrated commitment to innovation in academic affairs.
• Published scholarship on medical education, medical research, academic leadership or other related topic is desired.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively with diverse constituencies. Ability to develop relationships to facilitate positive educational, research, and funding opportunities. Demonstrated evidence of productive community relations and development of service-learning programs.
• Accomplishment in program/project analysis, development, and implementation, as well as publications or other demonstrations of thought leadership in the field.
• Substantial experience leading or facilitating change, helping an academic institution to engage with, and to develop partnerships with, external stakeholders.
• Have existing relationships with key stakeholders in higher education/state government/federal government/community members in engagement contexts.
• Ability to innovate, both in ideas and implementation.
• Collaborative leadership style and ability to serve as a unifying force for change.
• Proven ability to maintain a broad organizational perspective and relationship with other departments and to carry out effectively the internal and external relationships of the office. 
• Ability to promote and thrive in a diverse environment with students, faculty, staff, and community.

Position

This is a full-time, non-classified administrative position with a faculty appointment and full state benefits based on the final candidate’s qualifications. Upon hire, the Dean may have no conflicting secondary employment. Salary is commensurate with experience. The position is exempt from FLSA provisions regarding overtime. Not all activities of this position occur within the confines of an 8:00-4:30 schedule and will require regular evening and weekend scheduling. Travel including overnight travel is required. This position has been designated as essential. This means that when WVSOM is faced with an institutional emergency, employees in such positions may be required to remain at their work location or to report to work to protect, recover and continue operations at WVSOM.

Interested applicants should apply online by visiting: https://careers.wvsom.edu/postings/3390

Applications are considered confidential, and references will not be contacted without notification to the applicant. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Leslie Bicksler, Vice President of HR at lbicksler@osteo.wvsom.edu or (304) 647-6279 for more information. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Final candidates are subject to employment and credential verification, reference and background checks. 

The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine is an equal opportunity employer.