Description

Department Chair of Ophthalmology
University of California San Diego

The University of California San Diego invites applications and nominations for its next Department Chair of Ophthalmology.

Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Medicine, with a dotted reporting line to the CEO of UC San Diego Health, the Chair will be responsible for the Department’s overall management, academic planning, budget, personnel, resource allocation, and programs. The Chair is charged with establishing and advancing the Department’s strategic direction. To meet operational needs and strategic goals, the Chair will hire and retain outstanding faculty and staff, advocate to campus leaders for critical resources, and partner with other units to advance the department’s educational and scientific prominence. The Chair will benefit from working alongside exceptional staff and have the partnership of a skilled and committed executive leadership team.

The Chair will be actively engaged in the intellectual research, discovery, and development of the Department. The Chair will lead the planning and development of the Department’s academic, clinical, and research portfolio. Given the interdisciplinary nature of education and research at UC San Diego, the Chair will form highly collaborative teams working within a strategic context to achieve academic and research growth. There will be opportunities to catalyze interactions among programs and foster a culture of learning across the continuum of research, clinical care, and education, in collaboration with campus and external partners.

To be successful in establishing and coordinating teams to execute the Department’s strategic goals, the Chair must cultivate and apply interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence at all times. Through their actions, the Chair will promote and sustain a culture of inquiry and place value on the scholarship of discovery, application, integration, and teaching. Additionally, the Chair will listen effectively and strive for sensitivity, consistency, fairness, and adaptability with their teams. Through equitable actions, the Chair will cultivate a climate of trust and support, active listening, creative management of conflict, problem solving, and interpersonal effectiveness.

The Chair may pursue educational, academic, teaching, service, and/or research activities, as appropriate to maintain and/or advance their professional development and area(s) of expertise.

Required Qualifications:

• MD or equivalent medical degree from an accredited institution.
• Board certification in ophthalmology. Must have or be eligible for a California medical license as determined by the Medical Board of California.
• 10+ year record of professional, scholarly, and educational accomplishments as a faculty member.
• Track record of engagement and knowledge of an academic healthcare environment, including the integration of education and research initiatives.
• Track record of analyzing, planning, and implementing strategic initiatives for an academic unit.
• Track record of aligning financial, personnel, and space resources to meet operational needs and strategic plans.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience leading a large academic clinical department with multiple subspecialty divisions.
• Outstanding record with experience as a senior administrator in an academic environment.
• Organizational management experience leading financial, human resources, and space discussions, strategy, and plans.
• Successful philanthropic and/or grant generation.
• Proven ability to define areas of concern, strategically identify solutions, and implement updates within targeted timeframes.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to create a compelling narrative to advance the department.
• Experience working with and supporting a diverse group of faculty, trainees, staff, students, trainees, and stakeholders.
• Experience engaging with external stakeholders and partners to establish and meet strategic goals.

The Academic Medicine Practice of Korn Ferry is assisting with this important search. Applications should include 1) a curriculum vitae and 2) a letter of interest (addressed to Members of the Search Committee) that addresses the responsibilities and requirements described above, as well as the applicant’s motivation to apply. Review of applications ends when the position is filled.

To ensure full consideration, inquiries, nominations, and applications should be submitted electronically, in confidence, to: [email protected]  To also be considered, those interested must apply through UC San Diego Recruit: https://apol-recruit.ucsd.edu/JPF04557

The appointment at the Associate or Full Professor level will be based on the candidate’s background and experience. Application materials must be submitted through the UC San Diego online application system by July 26, 2026.

This position will have a standard term of five years with annual performance reviews and goal setting. A formal committee review that includes an external referee occurs every fifth year.

The University of California, San Diego is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, covered veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.