DEPARTMENT HEAD SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND JOB REQUIREMENTS

Published: Oct 17, 2024 – The Department Head has a strong record of achievement in research, education, outreach, and service, with effective leadership in national organizations. With experience securing funding and managing diverse budgets, this role builds relationships among faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders in areas like park management and sustainable tourism. The head also advocates for diversity and inclusion while fostering international partnerships to advance academic and fundraising goals.

Essential Hard and Soft Skills for a Standout Department Head Resume
  • Budget Management
  • Strategic Planning
  • Data Analysis
  • Project Management
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Performance Metrics
  • Resource Allocation
  • Risk Assessment
  • Quality Control
  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Leadership
  • Communication
  • Problem-Solving
  • Team Collaboration
  • Adaptability
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Critical Thinking
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Decision-Making
  • Time Management

Summary of Department Head Knowledge and Qualifications on Resume

1. BA in Public Administration with 10 years of Experience

  • Experience with the technical aspects of gift planning, estate financial planning, complex major or principal gifts, gift/grant administration, or directly comparable experience
  • Experience in a managerial or supervisory role, as indicated above
  • Demonstrate success in higher education major, planned, and/or principal gift fundraising
  • Experience with gift planning software, such as PG Calc
  • Familiarity with legal documents and specifically, philanthropic giving agreements and instruments
  • Experience working with donor tracking and reporting software
  • Experience working in a nonprofit, higher education, or healthcare environment
  • Experience working within large, complex organizations
  • Knowledge of the principles of managing service-oriented organizations
  • The ability to train and coach others, communicate effectively, manage conflict, reward good behavior, and establish and maintain accountability
  • Computer skills, including the ability to utilize Microsoft Office programs (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and learn and experiment with new software and systems
  • Interpersonal skills, including the ability to facilitate interaction, communication, and teamwork between others
  • The ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with faculty, staff, and others

2. BA in Business Administration with 7 years of Experience

  • Professional experience working in gift planning, estate/financial planning, and/or blending major and principal gifts of $1,000,000 or more, or gift/grant administration.
  • Experience in a managerial or supervisory role, which includes managing personnel, developing/mentoring direct reports, and completing performance reviews to ensure continuous improvement, high performance, and employee retention
  • Knowledge of modern and complex principles and best practices of gift planning program development and administration
  • Knowledge and understanding of complex gift structures and best practices
  • Knowledge of gift documentation topics such as protected classes, pooling, matching, contingent and recognition pledges, CASE counting standards, and fund compliance
  • Knowledge of employee management principles and best practices
  • Knowledge of organizational effectiveness and operations management principles and best practices
  • Strong employee management, supervision, and team-building skills
  • Experience working within large, complex organizations
  • Ability to interact with high-level donors, maintain a high level of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality

3. BA in Finance with 8 years of Experience

  • Proven record of outstanding achievement and commitment to excellence in research, education, outreach and service
  • A strong record of obtaining competitive extramural funding.
  • Experience in managing budgets with diverse sources of revenue.
  • Demonstrate leadership in national professional organizations.
  • Ability and experience to support and mentor faculty and staff at all career stages.
  • Evidence of strong organizational, leadership, team‐building, interpersonal, and communication skills.
  • Experience creating synergies among faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders from a wide variety of social science backgrounds in the broad field of park and natural resource management, recreation planning and programming, sport and golf management, and sustainable tourism, as well as in multidisciplinary contexts.
  • Evidence of being an innovator who advocates for and embeds diversity and inclusion in curricula, research, service, governance, and the recruitment of faculty, staff and/or students, and governance.
  • Ability to build relationships with diverse external stakeholders at the local, national, and international levels to advance academic, outreach, and fundraising goals for the Department.
  • Ability and interest in fostering international partnerships and a global perspective within the Department.
  • Familiarity with and commitment to the Land Grant institutional mission.
Relevant Information
Department Chair Skills, Experience, and Job Requirements