Department Head, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech
Members of the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise (HNFE, https://www.hnfe.vt.edu/) at Virginia Tech seek an accomplished, energetic, and visionary leader for the position of Department Head. Responsibilities of the Department Head include leadership of all departmental programs and administrative responsibility for strategic planning, fiscal management, and human resources including recruitment; development; and retention of faculty, staff, and students.
The Department Head should advocate for HNFE within and outside the university, and actively secure resources to strengthen its mission. The best-fit individual will foster excellence in teaching, research, and Extension, and encourage a positive, collegial climate and participatory decision-making process within the department.
The HNFE department is housed in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (www.cals.vt.edu/) and comprised of over fifty full-time faculty, instructors, and administrative staff, with over one thousand undergraduate and graduate students.
Our mission is to discover, translate, and disseminate health-related advances in human nutrition, foods, and exercise, across and through our research, teaching, Extension, and outreach/engagement. The department seeks to contribute to scientific process through:
- Molecular and clinical advances leading to prevention and improved treatment of obesity and chronic diseases;
- Behavioral discoveries that lead to effective interventions and programs across the lifespan; and
- Interdisciplinary research teams whose members accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries to effective public health interventions and policies that benefit Virginians and the nation. HNFE faculty have successfully obtained research grants from NIH, USDA, private foundations, industry, and state sources. Additionally, faculty members are involved extensively in interdisciplinary collaboration and translational efforts within the university, nationally, and globally.
The ideal candidate will have demonstrated success and distinction in one or more of the following disciplines: nutrition, exercise science, metabolism, physiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, dissemination and implementation science, or related areas. The ideal candidate will have a transformational leadership style, utilizing engagement, and open communication to facilitate change. HNFE’s next leader is expected to build upon the existing momentum within the health sciences for departmental growth and unification, student training, procuring extramural funding, and strengthening Extension, outreach, and alumni engagement.
Required Qualifications
Doctoral degree in a field related to any of the departmental core programs; A record of academic and professional achievement commensurate with a tenured appointment at the rank of full professor at Virginia Tech; Evidence of visionary leadership to ensure success in departmental and university initiatives relating to teaching, research, and service; Record of effective mentoring and management of personnel; Excellent organizational and communication skills that reflect the ability to build consensus.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels; Demonstrated ability to identify, procure, and sustain extramural funding from a variety of funding sources; Demonstrated ability to create and enhance effective collaboration within the department and with other programs and units at the university, state, national and international levels; A track record of institutional financial management; Working knowledge of the land-grant university model, Cooperative Extension, and managing stakeholder relationships; Demonstrated ability to develop and implement a strategic plan; Experience developing educational programs for delivery in non-traditional formats (e.g., online and distance education); Experience in fundraising, external communications, and other advancement initiatives; Experience recruiting, supporting, and collaborating with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Application review will begin September 15 and will continue until the position is filled.
For more information and to apply, view the job posting.