Job Description

Colorado State University (CSU) is Colorado’s land-grant university and a Carnegie R1 research institution. CSU advances teaching, research, engagement, and service for the benefit of Colorado, the nation, and the world. Located in Fort Collins, Colorado, CSU offers a highly collaborative environment for interdisciplinary scholarship and education, with broad strengths in the life sciences, veterinary medicine, public health, agriculture, engineering, data science, and environmental sustainability.

College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences:

The CSU land grant mission, which permeates the college, is dedicated to education, research, service, and outreach.  CVMBS’ vision is to advance the well-being of animals, people, and the planet. CVMBS offers undergraduate, professional, and graduate courses of study, and confers Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in a range of biomedical and veterinary medical topic areas. The College is comprised of four departments: Biomedical Sciences; Clinical Sciences; Environmental Health and Radiological Sciences; and Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology. CVMBS is fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association, and has been highly ranked in national surveys, including U.S. News & World Report, Blue Ridge Institute, and Planetary Health Report Card. CVMBS faculty explore a variety of pivotal issues in human and animal health via world-renowned research programs in infectious disease, orthopedics, neuroscience, cancer biology, animal reproduction, and translational medicine, with annual extramural funding in the range of $60-100M. CVMBS has created the Veterinary Health System (VHS), which oversees management and operations of four clinical units and the state diagnostic laboratory to provide a collaborative and efficient approach to patient care delivered with the highest level of customer service, employee satisfaction, and advancements in medicine.

Department of Clinical Sciences:

The Department of Clinical Sciences has 115 tenure track and non-tenure track faculty who focus their efforts on the tripartite mission of teaching, research, and service. While approximately 75% of faculty provide some level of clinical services, growth and diversification of departmental goals have led to approximately 25% of faculty having a primary focus in research, education, or outreach. The department has 100 staff employees, 150 student or non-student hourly employees, and 100 house officers and graduate students. Clinical Sciences is one of CSU’s largest academic departments, supporting a complex portfolio that includes approximately $164M in annual activity across operations, research, teaching, philanthropy, and endowment-supported initiatives. The department plays a significant role in advancing the university’s academic, research, and clinical missions through the stewardship of diverse funding sources and programs.

The Department of Clinical Sciences faculty and staff are dedicated to advanced medicine, excellent teaching, compassionate care, and discoveries benefiting the health of animals and people. It offers high-quality education programs for professional veterinary medical students, graduate veterinarians, and the public through the Small Animal Specialty Hospital, Johnson Family Equine Hospital, and Equine Reproductive Center. A new Livestock Hospital and Primary Care Clinic opened to the public in 2026.  These two new hospitals are part of the Phase 1 construction of the Veterinary Hospital and Education Center (VHEC), which provides state-of-the art educational facilities for all four veterinary classes in a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and WELL Building certified facility.  VHEC opened for all students in Fall, 2026, and the new Ascend veterinary curriculum is being delivered to the incoming DVM class of 2030.

Position Summary:

CVMBS invites applications and nominations for the position of Department Head for Clinical Sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (CVMBS). This is an exciting opportunity for an individual to provide strategic, visionary leadership in one of the Nation's leading colleges of veterinary medicine. This is a 12-month leadership position with an expectation for a tenured full professor appointment in the Department of Clinical Sciences. Position targeted to start spring or summer of 2027. 

The Department Head reports to the Dean of CVMBS and serves as a member of the College’s senior leadership team. The Department Head of Clinical Sciences will provide leadership and oversight for over 400 faculty, residents, interns and staff, and will be responsible for creating a focus and vision for the Department that meets current societal challenges and needs. The Department is administratively organized into sections that affiliate scholarly and clinical service efforts in the disciplines of anesthesiology, cardiology, critical care and emergency medicine, dermatology, epidemiology and preventive medicine, exotic animal medicine, equine medicine and surgery, food animal and livestock medicine and surgery, neurology, oncology, ophthalmology, small animal medicine and surgery, and theriogenology. The department head works closely with the VHS as a bridge for faculty with clinical duties. The current department organizational structure is described in the position prospectus. 

Research programs in the Department of Clinical Sciences utilize state-of-the-art techniques to explore the pathogenesis of diseases affecting companion and production animals, and to develop new approaches for disease prevention and treatment. Major research interests include comparative oncology, orthopedics, cardiology, surgery, infectious disease, epidemiology, and neurology, and extend into human medical applications and discipline-based educational research. A full range of state-of-the-art imaging modalities, including digital radiography, fluoroscopy, positron emission tomography computed tomography, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, nuclear medicine, diagnostic ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging with multinuclear spectroscopy capabilities are available within VHS. Faculty members in the Department are committed to teaching undergraduate, graduate, and professional veterinary medical students and have a strong reputation for innovation in instructional technology.  

Full Consideration Date:

October 30, 2026, 11:59pm (MT)

Essential Duties:  

• Provide academic and scientific leadership in defining and attaining goals of the Department.

• Advance excellence and innovation in professional, graduate, and other educational programs.

• Promote excellence in all departmental endeavors, and develop a culture of belonging for all in the Department.

• Develop a departmental leadership structure that addresses departmental needs in a comprehensive and inclusive way. 

• Play a significant role in recruiting, hiring, and retaining faculty, and encourage mentorship for professional development and collegial interactions.

• Manage growth and development of the departmental missions in research, education, and service, including by leading departmental strategic planning to prioritize investment of time and resources.  

• Partner closely with leaders of the VHS and professional veterinary medical education programs to streamline and clarify faculty and staff appointments and budget.

• Develop innovative approaches for resourcing departmental operations and strategic plans.

• Serve as the primary departmental advocate in enhancing the visibility and prestige of the departmental sections and disciplines, at the Department, College, and University level 

• Represent the Department to external entities (professional and corporate organizations, alumni, etc.) and during fund-raising activities. 

• Manage fiscal planning and administration, direct and evaluate faculty and administrative staff, and facilitate relationships with industry and governmental entities that interact with the Department.

• Represent the department at the College Executive Committee.

• The Department Head may have the opportunity, with the agreement of the Dean, to be involved in additional teaching, clinical, and research activities, commensurate with the applicant’s professional and academic interests. Currently, the Department Head effort distribution includes an 80% administration component. 

• Perform Department Head responsibilities as outlined in the CSU Academic Faculty and Administrative Professional Manual.

Required Qualifications:  

• Advanced degree (e.g, DVM, BVSc, MVSc, MD, PhD, or equivalent).

• Demonstrated leadership experience in an academic, research, clinical, diagnostic, governmental, or similarly complex organization. 

• Commitment to, or potential for, enhancing veterinary medical education, graduate education, clinical service, and research.

• Academic or professional record qualified for appointment as a tenured full professor within the Department of Clinical Sciences.

• Evidence of successfully leading a large, diverse team.

• Outstanding communication skills.

• Commitment to, or potential for, enhancing community and belonging among all members of the department.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, board certification with veterinary specialty college, or equivalent.

• Demonstrated clinical veterinary experience.

• Experience in biomedical, translational, or clinical research. 

• Significant experience running an externally funded research program.

• Proven leadership ability and integrity, including developing a vision for the Department.

• Strong desire and proven track record to establish collaborative relationships within the College, University and with the private and public sectors.

• The ability to work productively and collegially with a large and diverse team. 

• Commitment to CVMBS values of Community, Integrity, Collaboration, and Innovation.

• Commitment to, or potential for, maintaining CSU's leadership in animal welfare and ethics 

• Effective planning and implementation of strategic initiatives.

Conditions of Employment:

• Pre-employment criminal background check (required for new hires).

Application Instructions:

Applicants should submit the following through the CSU Jobs website Applications will not be considered complete until all listed documents have been submitted: 

• Cover letter describing experience relative to job responsibilities and applicant qualifications and attributes.

• A full Curriculum Vitae.

• A narrative of administrative and leadership philosophy.

• Applications will be treated confidentially. References will not be requested and contacted until finalists are chosen and consent is given for the search committee to collect references. 

To ensure full consideration, applications must be submitted by October 30, 2026, 11:59pm (MT) and include all required application materials. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

General inquiries regarding the position can be directed to the Search Committee Chair, Sue James at

susan.james@colostate.edu

or (970) 231-1229. Inquiries, nominations, and applications will be kept confidential within the committee until finalists are named for campus interviews. References will not be contacted until the advanced stages of screening and candidates will receive prior notification.  

Salary Range

$250-300,000

Required Application Documents

To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Cover Letter, Resume/CV, Special Required Documentation

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

• Review our detailed benefits information here.

• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.

• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.