Assistant​/Associate Dean Faculty Affairs & Development - Dean's Office - School of Dentistry

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.

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.

• 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

• 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…