Careers at Virginia Tech

The Pamplin College of Business at Virginia Tech invites applications for the position of Department Head of Marketing. This full-time, calendar-year appointment at the tenured Professor level presents an exciting opportunity to lead a dynamic and growing department, shaping its future and driving its continued success.

The Department of Marketing focuses on knowledge creation, knowledge dissemination, and faculty / student-led projects beyond the boundaries of the university to enhance marketing theory and practice. The department’s efforts in research, teaching, and outreach integrate conceptual and analytical tools that contribute to solving complex social and economic problems that enhance the consumer’s quality of life, health, and welfare.

As one of seven departments within the Pamplin College of Business—including Accounting and Information Systems, Business Information Technology, Finance, Insurance and Business Law, the Howard Feiertag Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, and the Blackwood Department of Real Estate—the Department of Marketing plays a key role in the college’s mission. The Department Head will join a collaborative and innovative leadership team, partnering with the dean, fellow department heads, and other college leaders to strengthen and elevate the reputation of the department, college, and university.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing the marketing department's academic reputation and rankings, research excellence, and teaching quality in alignment with the school’s mission and strategic priorities. The position entails fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and inclusion while overseeing faculty development, resource allocation, and departmental operations. The Department Head will lead efforts to recruit and retain top-tier faculty, enhance research productivity, elevate the student experience, and strengthen relationships with alumni and industry partners. They will also foster partnerships with other units in the college and across the university to promote collaboration and innovation.

Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership
• Develop and execute a departmental strategic plan aligned with the college and university’s goals.
• Position the department as a leader in research, teaching innovation, and industry/alumni engagement.
• Foster a collegial, collaborative, and inclusive culture among faculty, staff, and students.
• Ensure that department initiatives align with the college’s strategic objectives, including AACSB accreditation standards for
faculty research, teaching quality, and continuous improvement.
Faculty Development and Research
• Recruit, mentor, and retain high-quality faculty members across all academic ranks.
• Facilitate faculty development and recognition, supporting excellence in research and teaching.
• Ensure that the department achieves impactful publications in top-tier journals (e.g., Journal of Marketing, Journal of Marketing
Research, Marketing Science).
• Promote interdisciplinary research collaborations and external funding opportunities.
Academic Programs and Curriculum
• Lead curriculum development to ensure relevance, innovation, and rigor across undergraduate, graduate, and executive
education programs.
• Champion efforts to enhance teaching quality and student learning outcomes.
• Foster program growth, including specialized tracks, certificates, and online offerings.
• Collaborate with other departments and centers to support interdisciplinary programs.
Resource Management
• Manage the department’s budget and allocate resources effectively to achieve strategic goals.
• Oversee teaching assignments, course scheduling, and program staffing.
• Collaborate with the dean’s office to advocate for resources and support faculty initiatives.
Industry and Alumni Engagement
• Strengthen relationships with industry leaders, alumni, and advisory boards to enhance departmental reputation and impact.
• Facilitate opportunities for faculty-industry research partnerships and experiential learning for students.
• Support fundraising and development efforts to advance departmental priorities.
Service and Outreach
• Represent the department within the school, university, and broader academic community.
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion across faculty, staff, and students.
• Engage in thought leadership to elevate the department’s visibility and impact.

A deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) is fundamental to this role. Faculty within the college actively contribute to DEIB efforts through research, teaching, and service. The Department Head will work collegially and collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students from diverse backgrounds, supporting an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.

More information about the College of Business and its programs can be found at: https://pamplin.vt.edu/.

•A doctoral degree in Marketing or related discipline from an accredited institution.
•Tenurable at the Professor rank with an outstanding academic record and national/international recognition.
•Proven research accomplishments with publications in top-tier journals.
•A proven record of professional engagement and leadership within professional organizations.
•Strong commitment to teaching excellence and curriculum innovation.
•Exceptional leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
•Exceptional interpersonal skills to foster collaboration and support faculty, staff, and student success.
•A clear and compelling vision for the department’s future with the ability to communicate effectively and concisely across diverse stakeholders.

•Proven leadership experience in academic administration, including mentoring faculty, staff, and students, strategic planning, and effective budget management.
•Experience engaging with industry partners, alumni, and external stakeholders.
•Strong interest (and experience) in developing and expanding sponsored research programs.
•Experience in building collaborative relationships within a college, across a university, and with external partners.

Regular

commensurate with experience

1/29/2025; open until filled

This position is eligible for flexible work arrangements. Some travel, evenings, and weekends will be required.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance.  These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.