Department Head of Marketing

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 executiveeducation 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…