Description
The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix seeks a motivated and visionary leader to serve as the senior associate dean for the Office of Undergraduate Medical Education (UME).
The senior associate dean of UME reports directly to the executive vice dean of the College of Medicine – Phoenix and serves as a member of the College’s leadership team. This leadership position will provide vision and strategic oversight in all matters relating to undergraduate medical education (UME), including admissions, student affairs, foundational curriculum, clinical curriculum, assessment and evaluation and LCME accreditation.
The ideal candidate must be an outstanding leader with a strong academic record and widely recognized for thought leadership and contributions to undergraduate or graduate medical education. Organizational and administrative skills and innovative pedagogic approaches to education will be essential attributes. Strong student, faculty and staff advocacy with team building skills to promote excellence in all missions of the school will be critical. Other responsibilities will include fostering education and instructional development of faculty and staff, oversight of medical education resources and budget, alumni outreach and strengthening relationships within the University, the College and our affiliate and community partners in the setting of a distributive educational model. The senior associate dean will work closely with department chairs and UME directors to promote an exceptional undergraduate medical education experience and foster a pipeline to college-sponsored GME programs.
The ideal candidate will emphasize collaboration, mentorship, innovation, learner success and partnerships. Candidates should hold an MD or an equivalent degree from an LCME accredited institution and be board certified/eligible for medical licensure in Arizona. Academic appointment at the University of Arizona will be commensurate with experience.
About the College of Medicine
Approaching its twentieth anniversary as an independent, four-year MD-granting medical school in 2027, the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix has emerged as a national leader in innovative medical education. Fully accredited by the LCME, the College is recognized for its forward-thinking curriculum, rigorous assessment programs, simulation-based training, nationally distinctive clinical skills education, and early clinical immersion opportunities.
The College’s research enterprise has grown significantly, with sponsored funding increasing more than fourfold over the past three years following the recruitment of world-class scientists and physician-investigators. In 2026, the College launched two pioneering regional branch campuses, becoming the first allopathic medical school in Arizona to establish a rural regional campus and the first in the nation to open a branch campus on Tribal land. These innovative three-year MD programs provide full-tuition scholarships for 25 students each year, further advancing the College’s mission to improve healthcare access and physician workforce development across Arizona.
The College of Medicine serves as the academic anchor of the 28-acre Phoenix Bioscience Core (PCB) campus in the heart of downtown Phoenix. The College is dedicated to educating and inspiring the next generation of exceptional physicians, scientists, and healthcare leaders through innovative medical education, research, and community engagement. The PBC reflects the University’s commitment to collaboration, innovation, and partnership, bringing together leading academic, research, and healthcare organizations in a dynamic interdisciplinary environment.
The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of pedagogic principles and evidence-based practices and procedures.
- Knowledge of LCME requirements.
- Have excellent organizational, time management, professionalism and communication skills.
- Exhibit mentoring skills (students, residents and junior faculty).
- Knowledge of budgets and resource management.
- Have experience serving on national educational committees.
Minimum Qualifications
- Hold an MD or an equivalent degree from an LCME accredited institution.
- Have a minimum of 5 years of progressively complex administrative experience in an academic medicine setting.
- Demonstrate national recognition as an academic leader as evidenced by involvement in national clinical, academic and/or educational societies.
- Have a record of educational program development, monitoring and/or leadership.
- Demonstrate experience of recruiting and developing faculty, trainees and students.
- Be board certified in specialty and be licensed to practice medicine in Arizona at the time of hire.
Preferred Qualifications
- Hold an additional advanced degree (e.g., PhD, MBA, MEd, MPH, MS, etc.).
- Have been a previous academic medicine leader such as a chair, division chief or associate or assistant dean.
- Have experience serving on an AAMC committee.
- Have a track record of peer-reviewed publications in areas of educational scholarship (e.g., assessment, evaluation, curriculum, academic culture, admissions, etc.)
- Demonstrate engagement in clinical care and clinical education.
Procedure for Candidacy
To ensure full consideration, inquiries, nominations, CVs and letters of interest should be submitted electronically in confidence to U of A’s executive search partner, Elaine Auerbach, MBA, MPH: eauerbach@kbic.com and/or academicmedicine@kbic.com or call directly at (972) 265-5259.
Application Link: https://www.kbic.com/job/senior-associate-dean-for-ume-phoenix-az-10174
