Advertising Summary: 

VCU School of Dentistry invites applications for the position of Assistant / Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Development. As Virginia’s only dental school, VCU advances education, research, and patient care while shaping the next generation of dental leaders. Qualified candidates committed to fostering an exceptional academic environment are encouraged to apply.

Unit: School of Dentistry

Department: Dean's Office

Department Summary:

The Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) School of Dentistry advances oral health through education, research, patient care, and leadership. As part of Virginia’s only dental school—founded in 1893 and affiliated with an academic medical center—it contributes to a long tradition of excellence in dental education and health sciences.

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Assistant / Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Development provides leadership, oversight, and strategic direction for faculty‑related programs, policies, and initiatives within the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Dentistry. This position supports faculty onboarding, appointment, evaluation, promotion and tenure, development, and engagement, ensuring alignment with VCU policies, accreditation standards, and the School’s mission. The Assistant / Associate Dean works collaboratively with department chairs, faculty, Human Resources, and senior leadership to foster an equitable, supportive, and high‑performing academic environment. This position reports to the Dean of the School of Dentistry and collaborates directly with department chairs, Human Resources, Academic Affairs, Clinical Affairs, and University Administration and Faculty Affairs offices.

The Assistant / Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Development plays a critical role in cultivating a thriving academic community. By supporting faculty affairs, development, recognition, and retention, this position strengthens the School’s teaching, research, and clinical missions and ensures a supportive, equitable, and forward‑looking faculty culture.

The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Dentistry is located in downtown Richmond, Virginia. With a 133-year history, Virginia’s only dental school provides opportunities for selected, qualified individuals to study dentistry and oral health through a Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S) program, graduate specialty training programs and a dental hygiene program. The VCU School of Dentistry is one of a small number of dental schools in the country affiliated with an academic medical center, the only dental school in the Commonwealth, and one of the oldest dental schools in the United States founded in 1893. It is one of six health sciences academic programs on the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus of VCU.

Position Responsibilities:

Faculty Affairs Administration

• Manage and oversee faculty appointment, reappointment, promotion, and tenure processes in accordance with VCU policies and school bylaws and guidelines
• Maintain faculty policies, guidelines, and governance documents; ensure consistent interpretation and application across departments
• Oversee annual faculty evaluations, workload documentation, and performance improvement plans
• Serve as a primary resource for faculty regarding policies, career pathways, compliance, training and institutional expectations

Faculty Onboarding, Promotion and Tenure

• Partner with department chairs to support faculty onboarding, retention strategies, position development, search processes, and succession planning
• Coordinate onboarding programs that introduce new faculty to academic policies, teaching expectations, clinical operations, training and school culture
• Manage and oversee the faculty promotion and tenure processes, consulting and guiding faculty through the process, ensuring compliance with University guidelines and procedures
• Support retention initiatives that strengthen faculty engagement and long‑term commitment to the VCU School of Dentistry

Tenure Compliance, Credentialing, and Accreditation

• Ensure faculty‑related processes comply with the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) standards, VCU policies, and state/federal regulations
• Maintain accurate faculty credentialing records and support accreditation documentation related to faculty qualifications and development
• Coordinate with Academic Affairs, Human Resources, and Clinical Affairs to ensure faculty meet licensure, certification, and training requirements

Strategic Leadership

• Serve as a member of the School’s leadership team and contribute to strategic planning, policy development, and organizational initiatives
• Chair or participate in committees related to faculty affairs, development, and academic governance
• Provide data‑driven insights on faculty demographics, workload, performance, and development needs

Please Note: 

The position is a Teaching and Research Faculty role and may include responsibilities in instruction, scholarly activity, community service, and clinical practice, depending on the candidate's background, credentials, and training. The selected candidate will receive an academic appointment within the appropriate department of the School of Dentistry.   

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree or a terminal degree in a field directly related to academic administration
• Minimum of 3 – 5 years of experience in higher education, faculty affairs, faculty development or academic administration
• Demonstrated understanding of faculty development, academic policies, and promotion/tenure processes
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and institutional leadership
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU
• For tenure-eligible positions at the Assistant Professor rank, an established research agenda and a clear potential for external funding, as well as potential for scholarship or creative expression to complement and expand existing expertise in the department
• For tenure-eligible positions at the Associate Professor or Professor ranks, a well-developed scholarly/research portfolio with evidence of multi-disciplinary applications and external funding appropriate to complement and expand existing expertise in the department

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD, EdD, DHSc, DDS / DMD, or equivalent terminal degree
• Experience in faculty affairs leadership within a dental or health‑related professional school
• Record of teaching excellence and familiarity with faculty development best practices
• Experience designing faculty development programs or mentoring initiatives
• Evidence of scholarly activity in dental education, leadership, or faculty development

Additional Information:

Three recent letters of reference, or contact information for at least three references, will be required for consideration.

Salary Range: Commensurate

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: Yes

Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite

Rank: Open

Tenure: Open

Months: 12 months

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Dr. Oonagh Loughran
Contact Email: oloughran@vcu.edu