Job Details

School Chair D.W. Johnston School of Business - UT Southern

Position Number: 6570194
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Position Type: Deans - Business

School Chair D.W. Johnston School of Business - UT Southern
Pulaski, TN, United States

Job Identification: 5100
Job Category: Faculty
Posting Date: 09/15/2025
Job Schedule: Full Time
Locations: 411 West Madison Str., Pulaski, TN, 38478, US

Job Description
The Opportunity

The University of Tennessee Southern enthusiastically invites applications for the position of School Chair, D.W. Johnston School of Business. The Chair will serve as the academic and administrative leader of the school, providing visionary leadership to advance its mission and strategic goals. The Chair will oversee all aspects of the school's operations, including academic programs, faculty development, student success, research initiatives, and external partnerships. This position requires a dynamic and collaborative leader with a commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and service. This is a full-time, in-person position beginning in August 2026.

About the University
The University of Tennessee Southern (UT Southern) is a small public university established in 2021 through the acquisition of Martin Methodist College, founded in 1870. Located in Pulaski, UT Southern stands as the fourth undergraduate campus in the UT System. It is the only public four-year institution of higher education between Chattanooga and Memphis, and situated along Tennessee's southern border. The campus is conveniently located about 70 miles south of Nashville and 40 miles north of Huntsville, Alabama. The over 1,000 students enrolled at UT Southern enjoy a private, small-college experience at an affordable, public-university cost. Low student-teacher ratios, high classroom personalization, and the resources of a land-grant university system are among the many advantages students experience. Nearly 30 academic programs are available through the schools of business, education, arts and humanities, mathematics and sciences, nursing, and social sciences. The UT Southern Firehawks, competing in the Southern States Athletic Conference, have 19 nationally competitive athletic teams. Both the women's and clay target programs have recently won national championships.
The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees recently approved UT Southern's inaugural five-year strategic plan: Igniting Excellence. The strategic plan is built on three foundational pillars designed to guide UT Southern through its next phase of growth and development: enhance academic excellence and promote innovation; create transformational student experiences and foster student success; and establish greater connectedness and facilitate campus and community engagement.
The University of Tennessee Southern's vision is to be the epicenter for education, community leadership, and workforce development in south-central Tennessee and a national model for higher education in rural America.
The mission of the University of Tennessee Southern is to:

provide undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs grounded in the liberal arts and sciences that are designed to prepare students for careers and lives of continued learning;

promote a diverse and globally conscious learning community that nurtures intellectual, social, and personal growth; and

serve the region through educational, social, and cultural programs and through community outreach and development.

Responsibilities
Duties and Responsibilities
Academic Leadership
o Develop and implement a strategic vision for the school in alignment with the university's mission and goals.
o Oversee the development, delivery, and continuous improvement of undergraduate and graduate programs.
o Foster an environment that supports innovative teaching methods and curriculum development.
o Promote interdisciplinary collaboration within the school and across other departments.
Faculty Development
o Recruit, mentor, and retain high-quality faculty members.
o Support faculty in achieving excellence in teaching, research, and service.
o Conduct annual performance reviews and provide constructive feedback to faculty.
o Facilitate opportunities for professional development and research funding.
Student Success
o Enhance student recruitment, retention, and graduation rates.
o Foster a supportive learning environment that promotes student engagement and achievement.
o Collaborate with faculty to ensure high-quality advising and mentorship for students.
Administrative Oversight
o Manage the school's budget effectively to support academic programs and strategic initiatives.
o Oversee staffing needs, including hiring and evaluating administrative personnel.
o Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and university policies.
o Lead efforts to assess program outcomes and maintain continuous improvement.
External Engagement
o Build strong relationships with alumni, industry partners, and community stakeholders.
o Represent the school at university events, conferences, and public forums.
o Secure external funding through grants, partnerships, and philanthropic efforts.
o Promote the visibility of the school through marketing initiatives and public relations.

Qualifications
Required Minimum Qualifications
Required
o A terminal degree (Ph.D., DBA, or equivalent) in business or a related field.
o A distinguished record of teaching, research, and service that qualifies for tenure at the rank of associate or full professor.
o Demonstrated leadership experience in an academic or professional setting.
o Strong communication skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.

Preferred
o Experience with ACBSP, AACSB or other accreditation processes.
o Experience as dean or school chair.
o A proven track record of securing external funding or building industry partnerships.
o Commitment to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the school community.
o Experience in strategic planning and organizational management.

Key Competencies
o Visionary Leadership: Ability to articulate a clear vision for the future of the business school while inspiring others to achieve shared goals.
o Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external partners.
o Decision-Making: Strong analytical skills to make informed decisions that align with institutional priorities.
o Innovation: Commitment to fostering creativity in teaching methods, research initiatives, and program development.

About Us

To apply, visit https://fa-ewlq-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/5100/?mode=location