MASTER: 21 October 2014
Role Statement for XXXXXXX, Department Head
Department of XXXXXX
College of XXXXXXX
Utah State University
Appointment:
xx FTE
Date of Initial Appointment:
xx/xx/xxxx
Date of Head Appointment:
xx/xx/xxxx
AY or FY base
Relative weights assigned to domains of responsibility:
Leadership:
Faculty Responsibility:
xx%
xx%
The role of department head is one of the most important academic leadership positions at Utah State
University. It is the most immediate interface between faculty and administration. The role of
department head has two primary over-arching dimensions. First, department heads have the
responsibility to oversee and manage the wide range of operations in their academic unit. Second,
department heads participate in the executive management of their college and, as such, have a
responsibility to contribute to the overall success of their college.
Department heads serve at the pleasure of their dean. Periodically, input on performance will be
solicited from faculty and staff; however, it is the dean who will make the final decision about
continued service in this role.
In your role as department head, your performance will be judged in five primary areas of
responsibility. The following text describes the university’s expectations for your performance in
each domain of responsibility.
Expectations for Leadership for Academic Quality (Relative weight = xx%)
In this domain of responsibility, the department head is expected to provide exemplary leadership in a
changing and increasingly complex academic setting. One outcome of your leadership should be the
creation and maintenance of high quality academic programs. You are responsible for ensuring that
the department provides high quality instructional, research and outreach programs that contribute to
the success of the college and the university.
As you provide leadership for academic quality, the expectations listed below will be monitored. We
expect you to:

Work with your colleagues to articulate a straightforward mission for the department.

Work with your colleagues to articulate a straightforward strategic plan for the department
that includes widely understood goals with clear markers of achievement.
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MASTER: 21 October 2014

Provide leadership for the department in all professional matters; particularly in developing
plans for instructional programs, coordinating activities across programs, providing oversight
of all instructional programs (regardless of the delivery mode, the location, or the level of
instruction), and creating and maintaining high quality performance in other research and
outreach activities.

Provide leadership and oversight for all off-campus programs and faculty.

Work cooperatively with the dean to recruit, promote and retain faculty and staff of the
highest caliber.

Manage the personnel resources that are assigned to your department and embrace and
enforce high standards of performance for all employees affiliated with your department.

Implement adaptive and effective planning processes which facilitate continuous
improvement for your department.

Foster morale and cooperation across the department programs, faculty and staff affiliated
with your department.

Develop cooperation and a positive working climate that fosters collegiality, stimulates
faculty vitality and establishes trust (especially among faculty and staff involved in various
department programs and research initiatives).

Supervise and evaluate the work performance of all employees in the department. In that
context, you are expected to provide clear and frank feedback to each member of the faculty
and staff regarding the performance of their duties.

Make appropriate decisions and recommendations to the dean that differentiate among faculty
and staff performance.

Devise innovative methods for securing the resources necessary to strengthen the
instructional, research and outreach activities of your department.

Implement bold new initiatives that move the department forward to greater success, while
being mindful of the pace of change.
Expectations for Leadership for Administrative Operations (Relative weight = xx%)
It is the department head’s responsibility to manage the administrative operations of the academic
unit to optimize flexibility, adaptability, efficiency and effectiveness. The department head must
direct the affairs of the unit consistent with university policies and regulations.
As you provide leadership to the administrative operations, the expectations listed below will be
monitored. We expect you to:

Perform your administrative duties in a fair, honest and trustworthy manner.
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MASTER: 21 October 2014

Organize and implement effective communication processes and procedures and be open,
flexible and accessible in your dealings with your department faculty and staff.

Consult and involve your departmental colleagues in major decisions and maintain open lines
of communication as you move the department forward.

Be a problem-solver and resolve issues by using your practical judgment and experience.

Manage the personnel, fiscal and space resources of the department in an effective and
efficient manner that is consistent with the mission of the department, the college and the
university.

Organize and implement required personnel policies and procedures.

Attend to administrative details in a manner and style that contributes positively to the
operations of the department.
Expectations for Leadership in Building the Reputation of the Department (Relative weight =
xx%)
It is the responsibility of the department head to promote the internal and external recognition of the
instructional, research and outreach activities of the department. As the department’s primary
spokesperson and representative, the department head must communicate clear and compelling
rationales for the department’s needs, and clearly describe the department’s ambitions. It is the
responsibility of the department head to act strategically to build the reputation of the department for
excellence in all its domains of responsibility.
As you provide leadership to build the reputation of the department, the expectations listed below
will be monitored. We expect you to:

Provide leadership for developing external grants and contracts that will help achieve strategic
goals.

Provide leadership for identifying and soliciting private and foundation gifts.

Build relationships with alumni and friends of the department.

Develop, maintain and promote state and national visibility for department programs.

Be an effective spokesperson and promote the on- and off-campus image and reputation of the
department.

Provide leadership for recognizing the achievements and accomplishments of faculty, staff
and students affiliated with the department.
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MASTER: 21 October 2014
Expectations for Leadership in Fostering the Success of the College and the University
(Relative weight = xx%)
As academic leaders at Utah State University, department heads have the responsibility to foster the
success of their college and the overall university. Their actions and decisions should be consistent
with building a high-quality college and a world-class university. Their responsibility, as university
leaders, is to ensure that their department is contributing positively to the goals and strategic plans of
the college and the university.
As you provide leadership to foster the success of the college and the university, the expectations
listed below will be monitored. We expect you to:

Be an effective spokesperson for your college and the university.

Positively communicate to the faculty, staff and students in your college the policies,
perspectives and goals of your college and the university.

Contribute to the creation of policies and programs that move the college and the university
forward in a positive, constructive manner.

Act in a manner befitting your role as an academic leader and consistent with high standards
of professional ethics.
Expectations for Continued Faculty Responsibilities (Relative weight = xx%)
As a department head, you have the responsibility to continue to contribute as a tenured member of
the faculty. The precise assignment within this domain of your responsibilities will be determined
annually by your dean and will be some combination of instruction, research, outreach and
professional service. Your performance in this domain will be judged by the standards and
procedures employed for other members of the faculty in your department.
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MASTER: 21 October 2014
Signed Approval:
The undersigned have reviewed and accepted the conditions that are stated or implied in this role
statement.
__________________________________
Department Head
__________
Date
__________________________________
Dean
___________
Date
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MASTER: 21 October 2014
Annual Review of Role Statement:
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