MPA Director

The Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of  North Carolina at Charlotte engages in the interdisciplinary study of politics and  governance in the United States and around the globe. Its mission is to provide education  and training for undergraduate and graduate students; to conduct scholarly and applied  research to advance the discipline; to facilitate a robust intellectual environment that  values inquiry, collegiality and creativity; and to promote the service and community  engagement missions of the university. 
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte Department of Political Science and  Public Administration invites applications for a Program Director, at the associate or full  professor rank, to lead the Gerald G. Fox Master of Public Administration Program, NASPAA-accredited (reaccredited until 2028) and nationally ranked. We seek an  exceptional colleague, scholar, and leader for our urban-serving program, ranked #21 in  Local Government Management. This 9-month position begins August 11, 2025. 
Qualified candidates must have demonstrated excellence in research in public  administration that will contribute to and enhance the department and program’s national  reputation; a commitment to teaching; evidence of leadership and community  engagement; and a Ph.D. in Public Administration, Public Policy, Political Science, or  related field at the time of appointment. Previous administrative experience is desired, but  not required. Candidates with an interest in urban resilience and sustainability are  particularly encouraged to apply. Salary Range: $94,000-97,000 (Associate); $116,000- 120,000 (Full) 
The Public Administration Director will lead the Department’s NASPAA-accredited and  nationally ranked Gerald G. Fox Master in Public Administration Program (reaccredited  until 2028). The director duties and responsibilities fall within the categories of Research  (40%), Administrative (35%), Teaching (20%), and Service (5%). 
The program director is responsible for overseeing all administrative tasks that fall within  the purview of the position including (but not necessarily restricted to) strategic planning,  management of the budget, monitoring of academic policies and procedures, curriculum  development, class scheduling, student advising, representing the department at meetings  and events, and interfacing with both on and off campus constituencies.  
The position requires research and teaching in one of the core areas of public  administration, such as human resource management, organization theory, public  management, nonprofit management, public budgeting and financial management.  
Required qualifications: primary research and teaching interests in one of the core areas  of public administration, such as human resource management, organization theory,  public management, nonprofit management, or public budgeting and financial 
management; demonstrated excellence in research that will contribute to and enhance the  department’s national reputation; and a commitment to teaching in a dynamic, access oriented, urban research university . 
The Gerald G. Fox Master of Public Administration Program ranks in the top 20%  nationwide of all ranked public affairs schools by US News and World Report. The  MPA program offers concentrations in Urban Management and Policy, Nonprofit  Management (Ranked #24), Arts Administration, Emergency Management, and Public  Budgeting and Finance (Ranked #23). The MPA Program operates in an urban  environment with strong ties to local government and nonprofit organizations, alumni,  local chapters of the American Society for Public Administration, the North Carolina  City and County Management Association, and the National Forum for Black Public  Administrators. The program offers courses both on the main campus and the Dubois  Center at UNC Charlotte Center City in uptown Charlotte. Additional information may  be found at: https://mpa.charlotte.edu/. 
The Department of Political Science and Public Administration has 25 full-time faculty  members, houses the MPA Program, and is a core department in the interdisciplinary  Ph.D. Program in Public Policy. The Department’s online BA degree program in Political Science has been ranked in the top four nationally by Forbes. Additional information may  be found at: https://politicalscience.charlotte.edu/. 
As the largest and most academically diverse college at UNC Charlotte, the College of  Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences houses 15 departments, 18 interdisciplinary  programs, and 6 applied centers. We offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs with extensive honors and early-entry options. The College plays a pivotal role in delivering on the university’s goals in the areas of research  excellence, student success and experience, and community engagement. Through their  scholarship and teaching, the College’s 350+ faculty members seek to deepen our  understanding of complex problems and lead the university in interdisciplinary  collaboration. 
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is the second largest institution within  the University of North Carolina System. This past Fall, UNC Charlotte enrolled over  31,000 students and experienced record growth with its incoming first-year class and  graduate programs. UNC Charlotte is also the fastest growing institution in the UNC  System, comprising seven academic colleges offering 171 undergraduate majors in 77  programs leading to Bachelor’s degrees, 65 Master’s degrees, and 24 Doctoral degrees.  UNC Charlotte is proud to have 3,545 passionate and committed faculty and staff  members and more than 120,000 living alumni. 
All applicants must apply online at https://jobs.charlotte.edu (Position #3103). Please  attach the following documents with your electronic submission: 
● Cover letter describing your research accomplishments and agenda, teaching  experience 
and philosophy, leadership and community engagement, and administrative experience (if  applicable) 
● Contact information for three professional references; and 
● Curriculum vitae (CV).
Finalists will be asked to discuss how their teaching practices engage, include, and  eliminate barriers to learning for UNC Charlotte students, and how their educational  approach helps increase the engagement and success of all students regardless of their  entry pathway into the university. 
Review of applications will begin December 2, 2024, and continue until the position is  filled. 
Please contact Dr. Suzanne Leland, chair of the search committee, at  smleland@charlotte.edu with any questions about the MPA Director position. 
"The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity  Employer and an ADVANCE Institution that strives to create an academic climate in which  the dignity of all individuals is respected and maintained. Women, minorities, veterans and  individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive  consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national  origin, protected veteran status, disability, gender identity or sexual orientation. The  University of North Carolina at Charlotte maintains an Affirmative Action Plan prepared  in accordance with Executive Order 11246 and the Consent Decree." 
The candidate chosen for this position will be required to provide an official transcript of  their highest earned degree and submit to a criminal background check.