Dean, School of Dental Medicine

Job Summary:

Join one of the nation’s leading academic medical institutions and help shape the future of oral health education, research, clinical care, and community impact. The University of Colorado Anschutz seeks a visionary, collaborative, and strategic leader to serve as the next Dean of the School of Dental Medicine.

As the chief academic officer of the school, the Dean will lead a nationally respected institution known for innovation in dental education, interdisciplinary clinical care, groundbreaking research, and service to communities across Colorado and beyond. Positioned within the CU Anschutz academic health center, the Dean will collaborate closely with leaders from the Schools of Medicine, Pharmacy, Public Health, Graduate School, and the College of Nursing to advance transformative education, expand research opportunities, and strengthen clinical excellence.

Located on the dynamic CU Anschutz Medical Campus—adjacent to the Fitzsimons Innovation Community and nationally recognized partners including University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital Colorado—the School of Dental Medicine offers a unique environment where discovery, innovation, and patient care converge.

This is an extraordinary opportunity for an accomplished leader to build on a strong foundation, inspire faculty, staff, and students, foster strategic partnerships, advance fundraising and community engagement efforts, and drive the next era of growth and impact for one of the region’s premier dental schools.

If you are passionate about advancing academic excellence, leading innovation, and improving oral health outcomes for future generations, we invite you to apply.

Core Responsibilities:

- Provide visionary leadership and strategic direction that advances the School of Dental Medicine’s mission, aligns with campus and system priorities, and strengthens its national reputation in education, research, clinical care, and community engagement.

- Lead and continuously enhance academic programs, ensuring educational excellence, innovation, student success, accreditation compliance, and interprofessional collaboration.

- Oversee clinical operations and patient care delivery, promoting quality, innovation, operational sustainability, regulatory compliance, and expanded access to oral healthcare.

- Advance a thriving research enterprise by growing research funding, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, strengthening scholarly activity, and translating discoveries into meaningful impact.

- Recruit, develop, and retain exceptional faculty and staff while fostering a culture of collaboration, engagement, professional growth, inclusion, and organizational excellence.

- Ensure sound financial stewardship through strategic planning, budgeting, resource allocation, revenue generation, and management of facilities and infrastructure.

- Serve as the chief ambassador for the school by building relationships with alumni, donors, community partners, industry leaders, professional organizations, and government stakeholders to enhance visibility, fundraising, and community impact.

- Promote interdisciplinary collaboration across CU Anschutz and its partners to advance integrated education, research, clinical care, and innovation.

- Maintain effective governance, accreditation, compliance, risk management, and accountability practices that support institutional excellence and continuous improvement.

To view more details on this role, review the job prospectus.

Why Join Us:

The University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine stands at the forefront of dental education, clinical innovation, research, and community impact. As part of the nationally renowned CU Anschutz, the school offers an extraordinary environment where interdisciplinary collaboration, scientific discovery, and patient-centered care converge. With a strong foundation of academic excellence, a commitment to advancing oral health, and strategic partnerships across healthcare, research, and industry, the School of Dental Medicine is uniquely positioned for continued growth and influence.

To learn more about the School of Dental Medicine, click here.

Why work for the University?

We offer amazing benefits and exceptional holiday, vacation, and sick leave. The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay
• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
• Holiday Days: 15/year
• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

- DDS, DMD, or equivalent dental degree from an accredited institution.

- The dean must have a record of research, scholarship, teaching, and service/leadership sufficient to be appointed at the rank of full professor with tenure at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Dental Medicine.

- Progressive senior leadership experience, such as service as a department chair, division head, associate dean, assistant dean, dean, or equivalent leadership role, within an academic dental institution, academic health center, healthcare organization, or similarly complex environment.

- Demonstrated leadership experience in dental education, clinical operations, research, and administration.

- Experience with strategic planning, organizational leadership, and change management.

- Demonstrated success in faculty recruitment, development, retention, and performance management.

- Experience overseeing financial planning, budgeting, resource allocation, and operational performance.

- Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships across academic, clinical, community, and professional constituencies.

- Experience working with institutional leadership, governing bodies, community organizations, and external stakeholders.