Department Head, Design and Merchandising

Job Description

Position Summary:

The Head of the Department of Design and Merchandising leads a dynamic team of faculty, staff, and students in pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, and engagement. Candidates are expected to have a record of scholarly excellence, academic leadership, and strategic vision consistent with leadership at an R1 land-grant University. You can learn more about the Department of Design and Merchandising here: https://www.chhs.colostate.edu/dm/.

Full Consideration Date:

To receive full consideration, complete applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on November 8, 2026. Applications received after this date and before the posting closes may be considered but are not guaranteed review. The posting will close at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on November 29, 2026.

Essential Job Duties:

The Head role is 75% administrative and 25% research & engagement.  Administrative responsibilities include:

• Leadership within and on behalf of the department.
• Strategic planning.
• Personnel management.
• Fiscal management.
• Facility oversight.
• Partnership on development/philanthropy and industry engagement efforts in support of the Department mission.
• Supporting the growth of the Department’s extramurally funded research portfolio.
• Service on the College of Health and Human Sciences cabinet.

The research and engagement activities include extramurally funded collaborative or independent research, community engagement, and both graduate student and faculty mentoring. 

Supervision:

The Head supervises all faculty and staff in the Department of Design and Merchandising (~30 FTE).

Conditions of Employment:

• Pre-employment criminal background check required (for all new hires).

Minimum Qualifications:

• Earned doctorate in apparel merchandising, interior architecture, textile sciences or related field.
• Academic credentials consistent with a faculty appointment at the rank of Professor with tenure at an R1 University.
• Demonstrated record of a strong research record characterized by national/international recognition.
• Demonstrated record of strategic and innovative leadership in leading teaching, research, and engagement efforts.
• Experience with fiscal management at the department/school level or higher.
• Experience with development/philanthropy and industry engagement.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Evidence of university or national leadership in education such as:
  • Professional journal editor or editorial board.
  • Professional Society leadership.
  • Service on or leadership for national grant review panels (federal or foundation sponsors).
• Evidence of leadership in innovative curriculum development.
• Evidence of innovation in faculty and staff professional development.
• Evidence of excellence in mentoring graduate students.

Application Instructions:

To apply, please upload all the following required application material in the Resume/Cover Letter section of the application:

• Cover Letter and Resume/CV (combined single PDF file preferred)
• Philosophy of Leadership (2 pages max)
• Research Statement (2 pages max)

Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position.

Salary Range

Required Application Documents

To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

• Review our detailed benefits information here.

• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.

• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.