Chair - Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program (OTD)

Description

Job ID

UF9960-0910-1854

Position Classification

FT Faculty UDMPU (12 Month)

Position Summary

The University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) is seeking a visionary leader to become the Founding Director of our entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) Program. This is a unique opportunity to lead a transformative program grounded in the Mercy and Jesuit traditions, dedicated to preparing compassionate and competent health professionals. As the Director, you will play a pivotal role in achieving initial accreditation, managing the program, and fostering a culture of excellence and innovation. This full-time, tenure-track faculty position offers the chance to make a lasting impact on students, faculty, and the broader community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Accreditation and Quality Improvement

• Lead the programmatic accreditation process, ensuring full compliance with federal, state, and accrediting body standards and regulations.
• Develop the program’s curriculum, admissions processes, student learning outcomes, and community relations.
• Oversee programmatic outcome analysis, develop improvement plans, and implement curricular and teaching effectiveness strategies.
• Evaluate and treat student academic, clinical, and behavioral performances consistently, following University and Program policies.
• Encourage and support interprofessional educational and research endeavors.

Strategic Planning and Change Management

• Collaborate with senior academic and university leadership to develop a strategic plan for the OTD program focusing on growth and quality improvement goals and initiatives that align with the goals of the Program and University.
• Participates in the development, implementation, and assessment of the strategic plan.
• Works with marketing, university representatives, and Admissions to review enrollment admissions standards and procedures for the OTD program.

Leadership & Administration:

• Provides strategic direction and oversight of the OTD program.
• Supports and mentor faculty’s teaching, scholarship, and service.
• Work collaboratively with faculty members to support of the mission the University.
• oversees student recruitment and admissions, fostering collaborations within the university and with external partners.
• Leads recruitment, training, professional development, and evaluations of OTD faculty.
• Manages faculty and staff workload and course schedules.
• Participate in securing intra and extramural grants to support program expansion and student development.

Fiscal and Resource Management

• Manage the OTD program budget per university procedures.
• Develops annual budget and expenses.
• Effectively allocate and share resources.

Faculty Responsibilities

• Provide exemplary teaching and advise and mentor students.
• Review student evaluations and address issues as necessary.
• Participate in research and scholarship productivity
• Engage in service to department, college,university, and the community.
• Review course syllabi.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional Responsibilities:

• The OTD Director will perform other administrative duties as assigned.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in occupational therapy or related field (PhD, OTD, EdD, or equivalent) from an accredited institution.
• Current unrestricted license to practice occupational therapy or eligibility for licensure in Michigan.
• At least eight years of documented experience in occupational therapy, including clinical practice.
• At least four years of post-baccalaureate teaching experience.
• Administrative experience in program planning, implementation, personnel management, evaluation, and budgeting.
• A record of scholarship, professional service, and leadership.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with ACOTE accreditation processes.
• Experience in curriculum development and innovation.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Additional Information

• The OTD Program Director reports to the Associate Dean of the SHRS and the Dean of CHP.
• Rank and salary will be commensurate with experience. The university has excellent benefits including medical and dental insurance, retirement plan with match and tuition benefits for employees and their dependents.  

The College of Health Professions (CHP) provides a transformative