Dean, Jefferson College of Pharmacy at Thomas Jefferson University

Thomas Jefferson University seeks an engaging and visionary academic leader to serve as the next Dean of Jefferson College of Pharmacy, succeeding Dr. Rebecca Finley, who has retired following 17 years of serving as the College’s founding Dean. This is an extraordinary opportunity for a transformational leader to build on the College’s record of excellence in preparing pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists and capitalize on opportunities arising from the evolution of pharmacy. The University and its health system partner – Jefferson Health, have continued on path of rapid and transformative growth that requires a Dean who can navigate market opportunities and engage with key stakeholders to expand and develop university, health system, industry, and government partnerships that will contribute to the College’s success.

Founded in 1824, Thomas Jefferson University is a nationally-ranked research doctoral university, celebrating two centuries of excellence in higher education, healthcare, and commitment to our community. Nationally recognized for its transdisciplinary collaboration and interprofessional approach to educating its 8,300 students, the University is comprised of 10 colleges and 3 schools, including 5 health professions colleges: Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Nursing, Pharmacy, Population Health, and Health Professions, which have benefitted immensely from their robust partnerships – elevating each college’s ability to develop new and innovative academic and clinical programs and collaborate in interdisciplinary research.

Located on the University’s 13-acre campus in downtown Philadelphia, the University is well-positioned to benefit from the city’s recent emergence as a hub for life sciences and biotechnology. In recent years, Philadelphia has secured several grants aimed at expanding these sectors, bringing new opportunities for industry engagement.

As a professions-focused university, Jefferson prepares students with a forward-thinking and experiential approach to education that blends collaborative real-world learning, industry engagement, and innovation. Additionally, Jefferson Health’s established reputation as a major teaching health system in the Philadelphia region offers students a full spectrum of clinical experiences to complement their training. Experiential learning and interprofessional education are supported by the Jefferson Center for Interprofessional Practice & Education and the Rector Clinical Skills & Simulation Center, which includes 3,000 sq. ft. of space used for pharmacy simulation.

Ranked among the top 50 pharmacy programs nationally, Jefferson College of Pharmacy has been advancing pharmacy education, clinical practice, and discovery since 2008. The College consistently excels at preparing the next generation of pharmacists – since 2017, the College’s first-time NAPLEX pass rate average has been over 95%, placing them in the top 10% of ACPE-accredited programs nationally. Similarly, residency match rates have continued to be in the top 10% of the country for the 3rd year in a row, with the Class of 2024 matching at 90%.

The College of Pharmacy distinctively benefits from its integral partnership with the University’s health system partner – Jefferson Health, where students have opportunities to learn in multiple practice settings and gain exposure to future practice options at one of the largest academic health systems in the country. Recognized nationally as a leader in providing pharmaceutical care, the Department of Pharmacy Services at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (TJUH) is home to the country's first accredited postgraduate residency for pharmacists and has trained over 350 pharmacists and counting. Today, Jefferson Health’s 11 ASHP-accredited programs train a total of 26 residents each year, including specialty training in Cardiology, Critical Care, Infectious Diseases, and Medication-Use Safety and Policy for PGY2’s. In addition to TJUH, the health system’s flagship academic medical center, other Jefferson practice sites include Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital, Jefferson Abington Hospital, Jefferson Health in New Jersey, and Lehigh Valley Health Network.

Reporting to the Provost & Chief Academic Officer for the University, the next Dean of the College of Pharmacy will foster community, continuous learning, and a growth mindset for a diverse faculty (21 full-time members) who support the College’s PharmD and other graduate programs.

To position the College for future success, the Dean will develop a strategic and data-driven plan to grow student enrollment and have a vision to expand academic offerings, training opportunities, and research collaborations with other colleges, institutes, and centers across the University. To ensure academic programs remain competitive and responsive to the diverse needs of students and emerging market needs, the Dean will prioritize continuous evaluation of program effectiveness and student outcomes.

The Dean will be an advocate for both professional and academic education and research, who will enhance the visibility of the school, both internally and externally. They will pursue partnerships with industry and forge alliances with external partners that will further complement and enrich the student experience, expand postgraduate opportunities, and create new educational pathways.

As the College’s chief academic and administrative leader, the Dean is responsible for its operations, academic programs, research, personnel, budgets, strategic planning, alumni engagement, and fundraising.

Preferred Qualifications

• An outstanding record of academic accomplishments, with a history of funded research and publications, and national recognition within their field.
• Experience (or demonstrated potential) in philanthropic cultivation, alumni engagement and stewardship, and forming collaborations with industry.
• A deep commitment to student-centered approaches to professional and graduate education, with experience implementing interprofessional education and practice activities.
• Demonstrated experience leading transformational organizational change and operationalizing strategic plans to achieve business and financial targets, including building effective and responsive day-to-day operational teams to effectively support and implement change initiatives.
• Extensive executive and operational experience – including financial/budget management, strategic planning, resource allocation, personnel management, and faculty recruitment – successfully applied in a complex academic organization. Experience gained in a senior-level administrative role, such as Dean, Associate Dean, Department Chair, or Center Director.
• A demonstrated commitment to advancing diversity and sustaining academic learning environments which welcome people of diverse backgrounds and experiences and promotes their full development.

Minimum Qualifications

• A PharmD, PhD in a pharmaceutical sciences discipline, or doctorate in a discipline complementary to the College of Pharmacy; and a record of scholarship and academic accomplishments which merits appointment at the rank of associate or full professor in the College.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in pharmacy education, with a strong background in strategic and operational planning and a demonstrated ability to translate long-term goals into actionable strategies. A broad understanding of the complex issues related to pharmacy practice, workforce education, assessment, and accreditation. Non-traditional academic leaders are welcome to apply; applicants from the private or public service sectors will need to demonstrate a commitment to scholarly and research accomplishment, as well as a high degree of fluency/knowledge of contemporary challenges in pharmacy education.
• A strong background in the operational and financial management aspects of administering an academic department/unit, including strategic and operational planning with a demonstrated ability to translate long-term goals into actionable strategies that enhanced program quality and outcomes.
• A successful track record of leadership in complex academic environments, with a demonstrated ability to build and sustain collaborative, high-impact partnerships with multiple stakeholders and manage diverse organizational and planning initiatives.

A comprehensive position description is available upon request.

For full consideration, applicants should submit a letter of interest detailing relevant qualifications and leadership experiences and detailed curriculum vitae by January 1, 2025. Applicant materials, nominations, and expressions of interest/confidential inquiries should be directed to jennifer.rumain@jefferson.edu.

Commitment to Diversity:  As an employer, Jefferson maintains a commitment to provide equal access to employment. Jefferson values diversity and encourages applications from women, members of minority groups, LGBTQ individuals, disabled individuals, and veterans.