Vice Dean, Population Health (Professor, Tenured) (PhD), College of Medicine - Phoenix Posting Number req26530
Department COM Phx Campus Administration
Department Website Link College of Medicine-Phoenix Location Greater Phoenix Area
Address Phoenix, AZ USA
Position Highlights The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix seeks an accomplished and collaborative scientist to serve as Vice Dean for Population Health - Cancer and Deputy Director of the University of Arizona Cancer Center (UACC). This senior leadership role offers a unique opportunity to shape a growing cancer enterprise while advancing population health initiatives across Arizona.
Serving on both the College of Medicine - Phoenix Dean's Leadership Team and the UACC Executive Leadership Team, the Vice Dean/Deputy Director provides strategic leadership to reduce the burden of cancer through prevention, early detection, equitable access to care, research, education, and community engagement. The individual will align academic, research, clinical, and community priorities across the University of Arizona cancer enterprise to improve cancer outcomes for diverse populations throughout the state.
Reporting to the Dean of the College of Medicine - Phoenix for academic responsibilities and serving as Deputy Director in partnership with the UACC Director, the successful candidate will provide strategic leadership to advance population health, cancer prevention, screening, survivorship, and health equity across Arizona. Working closely with university, cancer center, healthcare, and community partners, the Vice Dean/Deputy Director will advance the strategic priorities of UACC, an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, by strengthening integration across research, clinical, education, and community programs; expanding access to clinical trials and evidence-based cancer care; advancing translational and implementation science; and developing sustainable partnerships and resources that improve cancer outcomes enterprise-wide.
The successful candidate will hold a tenured faculty appointment at the Full Professor level in an academic unit appropriate to their expertise and research focus and will be expected to maintain an active, externally funded research program aligned with the Center's mission.
Duties & Responsibilities Strategic and Enterprise Leadership - Provide strategic leadership for population health, cancer prevention, screening, survivorship, health equity, and enterprise-wide cancer initiatives.
- Collaborate with university, college, and cancer center leadership to develop and implement institutional priorities and major initiatives, including Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) planning.
- Represent the Dean and UACC Director in internal and external engagements, advancing the mission and visibility of the College of Medicine-Phoenix and University of Arizona Cancer Center.
- Promote leadership development, organizational effectiveness, and succession planning across the cancer enterprise.
Population Health, Community Engagement, and External Partnerships - Lead enterprise-wide efforts to reduce cancer incidence, mortality, and disparities through evidence-based prevention, screening, early detection, survivorship, and health equity initiatives.
- Expand access to clinical care, clinical trials, and cancer services, particularly in rural, tribal, and underserved communities.
- Build and strengthen partnerships with healthcare systems, public health agencies, community organizations, advocacy groups, governmental entities, and other stakeholders.
- Advance innovative, scalable, and technology-enabled approaches that improve cancer outcomes and enterprise-wide impact.
Cancer Enterprise Integration and Research Excellence - Foster collaboration and alignment across research, clinical operations, education, and community outreach activities.
- Advance interdisciplinary and team science initiatives spanning basic, translational, clinical, and population sciences, consistent with National Cancer Institute priorities.
- Identify and implement opportunities for growth through strategic partnerships, collaborative programs, and external funding opportunities.
- Maintain an active, externally funded research program appropriate to faculty rank and expertise.
Faculty Development, Education, and Advancement - Support recruitment, retention, advancement, mentorship, and professional development of faculty, investigators, and program leaders.
- Promote interdisciplinary education, workforce development, and training programs across the University of Arizona.
- Advance a high-performing cancer research and healthcare workforce.
- Partner with institutional leadership and Advancement to support philanthropy, donor engagement, and resource development activities.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
- Collaborative leadership style with the ability to inspire faculty, staff, and trainees.
- Develops processes to ensure wide-spread faculty involvement in planning, decision-making, and implementation of programmatic initiatives of the Center.
- Effective communicator with internal and external stakeholders.
- Strategic thinker with operational insight in complex academic and clinical environments.
- Partner oriented, thriving in a matrixed structure across the university, medical school, and health system.
- Strong track record, or clear evidence of the ability, to work cooperatively in enterprise expansion efforts.
- Ability to foster trust across institutional boundaries, build consensus among diverse stakeholders, and translate opportunity into action.
Minimum Qualifications - PhD or equivalent terminal degree in a cancer relevant discipline.
- Nationally recognized record of achievement in cancer research, population sciences, prevention, clinical research, or related fields.
- Demonstrated leadership experience in an academic medical center, research intensive university, National laboratory, NIH or other comparable funding agency, or NCI designated cancer center.
- Strong record of extramural or peer reviewed funding and scholarly productivity.
- Evidence of success working cooperatively across institutional and enterprise structures to achieve shared goals.
- Demonstrated commitment to faculty mentorship and leadership development.
- Eligibility for a faculty appointment at the Professor level in an appropriate academic unit at the University of Arizona College of Medicine- Phoenix.
Preferred Qualifications - Demonstrated excellence in senior leadership roles within a cancer center or large research enterprise.
- Leadership experience within an NCI designated cancer center or at the NCI or NIH.
- Ability to serve as Acting Director in the Director's absence.
- Successful track record of developing and sustaining complex research or clinical research programs.
- Lead or senior authorship on publications in high impact peer reviewed journals.
FLSA Exempt
Full Time/Part Time Full Time
Number of Hours Worked per Week 40
Job FTE 1.0
Work Calendar Fiscal
Job Category Faculty
Benefits Eligible Yes - Full Benefits
Rate of Pay DOE
Compensation Type salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)
Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)
Number of Vacancies 1
Target Hire Date Expected End Date Contact Information for Candidates Office of Talent Acquisition
[email protected]Open Date 7/15/2026
Open Until Filled Yes
Documents Needed to Apply Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Cover Letter
Special Instructions to Applicant Application: The online application should be completed in its entirety. Blank or missed information may be considered an incomplete submission.
Cover Letter: Should clearly indicate how your skills and professional employment experience meet the Minimum and the Preferred qualifications (if applicable).
