Department Head of Small Animal Clinical Sciences

Department Head of Small Animal Clinical Sciences

Location : Knoxville, TN

Open Date : Oct 3, 2025

Close Date : Dec 12, 2025

Description :

The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM) is seeking applications from an innovative and collaborative veterinary administrator to serve as our new Department Head of Small Animal Clinical Sciences. A detailed prospectus regarding this position can be found here .

The Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences is one of three departments within the UTCVM and is currently comprised of approximately 50 board certified veterinary faculty with additional residents, interns, graduate students and staff. Reporting directly to the Dean, the Department Head (DH) of Small Animal Clinical Sciences works with the senior leadership team to accomplish the mission of the UTCVM. The DH will serve alongside the associate and assistant deans and the two other department heads on the Dean’s Executive Committee. The DH will provide leadership and oversight to the department’s academic and faculty affairs. The DH will work alongside the Executive Associate Dean of Operations and Administration (newly formed position with search open) as well as the Small Animal Hospital director to manage faculty’s participation in the business entities of the hospital.

The Department has broad service, educational, and research missions. Its faculty are responsible for providing “state-of-the- art” care for pets and zoo animals as well as pre-clinical and clinical instruction in anesthesiology, avian and zoological medicine, dermatology, emergency and critical care medicine, internal medicine, neurology, nutrition, oncology, ophthalmology, orthopedic, physical therapy, soft tissue surgery, behavior, dentistry, shelter medicine and radiology.  The Department also directs residency training programs in most clinical specialties as well as rotating internships. The Department has a strong commitment to research and post-graduate training to improve pet health through clinical research. Many departmental faculty have active research programs, and many house officers contribute to these programs.

Key Responsibilities include :

• Operational Management :

The DH will provide operational management of all departmental programs and training. This includes providing oversight and management for all departmental committees, the departmental by-laws, and the department’s teaching commitments. The DH will oversee departmental personnel management including hiring and managing all departmental faculty and administrative staff. The DH will assist the college with purchase, maintenance and placement of college research equipment and resources and will work with the executive committee and college space committee to manage space assignment for offices and other areas.

The DH will have primary oversight of the department’s budget and be responsible for developing, monitoring and balancing the department’s annual budget. There are dedicated staff in the department to assist with this effort, but the DH is ultimately responsible for this oversight of the department’s allocated budget.

Provide direct supervision and management of faculty affairs in the department including mentorship, faculty development, annual evaluations, oversight of the promotion and tenure process at the departmental level, and assuring adherence to faculty handbook and other departmental or college policies. In collaboration with the Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs, the DH will manage teaching assignments for departmental faculty. The DH will seek input from the Executive Associate Dean of Operations and Administration and hospital directors related to faculty engagement and contribution to clinical services in the veterinary medical center. Additionally, the DH will collaborate with : the Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies to foster an environment that values translational research aligned with the expertise of our faculty and animal health needs; and the Associate Dean of Outreach and Global Engagement to support faculty participating in UTCVM-provided continuing education and study abroad programs.

Collaborate with the Dean, senior leadership team, and the department to develop, implement and update departmental strategic plans that meaningfully contribute to the college, institute and university strategic visions.

Work with the dean, college advancement team and corporate engagement personnel to maintain strong departmental relationships with outside stakeholders and donors.

Key skills include :

Qualifications :

Application Instructions :

Applications should formally apply via Interfolio and include a letter of intent, curriculum vitae, and names and contact information for four (4) professional references. Applications and nominations will be accepted until the position is filled, but to be assured of full consideration, all materials should be submitted by December 12, 2025 . Nominations and confidential inquiries are encouraged and may be sent via e-mail to Brooke Swart, Manager, Executive Recruitment, at  bswart@utk.edu .

Salary and rank will be commensurate with training and experience.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement :

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university.

Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to  eoa@utk.edu , or by phone at 865-974-2498. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Investigation and Resolution, 216 Business Incubator Building, E J. Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to  investigations@utk.edu , or by phone at 865-974-0717.