CCHS - Associate Program Director Occupational Therapy Associate​/Full Professor – Tenure​/Tenure

Department/Organization

208321 - CCHS-Occupational Therapy

Associate/Full Professor

The University of Alabama invites applications for the Associate Program Director of its new Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program. The role is a student‑centered, entrepreneurial leader responsible for building a nationally distinctive program, including program development, accreditation, operations, and strategic growth. The candidate will collaborate with CCHS to expand access to high‑quality occupational therapy in rural communities across Alabama and the Southeast.

Associate Program Director, Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) – Associate or Full Professor (tenure‑track/tenured or clinical track), commensurate with qualifications or exceptional candidates at advanced Assistant Professor rank.

The Associate Program Director will assist the Program Director in leadership & administration, accreditation & compliance requirements, and support faculty and student scholarship, educational, and research components of the program.

• Certified occupational therapist with an active, unencumbered OT license in a U.S. jurisdiction and eligibility for Alabama licensure.
• Doctoral Degree from a U.S. Department of Education recognized institution (OTD, PhD, or equivalent).
• Minimum eight (8) years of OT experience, including clinical practice, academic administrative experience, scholarship/application or teaching and learning, understanding of occupational therapy assistants, and at least four (4) years as a faculty member with postbaccalaureate teaching responsibilities.
• Qualifications commensurate with Associate or Full Professor, or exceptional candidates at advanced Assistant Professor rank.

• Sustained leadership in rural health or community‑engaged practice, including building rural clinical partnerships.
• Success leading teams through ACOTE accreditation or substantial accreditation milestones.
• Experience creating, launching, or scaling new academic programs, including faculty hiring and facilities planning.
• Professional development in educational theory, instructional design, student evaluation, and program assessment.
• Experience with program evaluation, curriculum development, and accreditation processes with ACOTE expectations.
• Evidence of interprofessional education, collaborative partnerships with health systems, and experience with grant writing or external funding.
• Active engagement in AOTA or related professional organizations and mission‑driven leadership.
• Strategic thinker, organized, collaborative, outcomes‑oriented, with excellent communication skills.

• Assist the Program Director in leadership and administration of the OTD program.
• Ensure accreditation and compliance with university and accrediting standards.
• Support faculty and student scholarship, educational, and research activities.
• Plan and implement program development, including faculty hiring, curriculum design, simulation and technology infrastructure.
• Coordinate rural training sites and expand clinical partnerships statewide.
• Develop and manage program evaluation and assessment against ACOTE requirements.

• Cover letter addressing qualifications and leadership vision.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Leadership statement (2–3 pages) describing experience with accreditation, faculty development, fiscal management, and program assessment.
• Teaching statement and scholarly/clinical agenda.
• Three references with contact information (will be contacted only with candidate consent).

Background Investigation Statement:
Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre‑employment background investigation. A prior conviction does not automatically disqualify a candidate; each case will be reviewed individually.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to any legally protected basis and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status.