Director of Foundational Sciences Curriculum (Phase 1)
Director of Foundational Sciences Curriculum (Phase 1)
Review Date: July 2nd
Position Summary:
The Director of the Foundational Science Curriculum is responsible for the successful design, implementation, and integration of VTCSOM’s medical curriculum in Phase 1, which includes curriculum planning, management, assessments, and evaluation. In collaboration with the Senior Associate Dean of Medical Education, the Associate Dean of Educational Affairs, and the Medical Education Leadership Team, and in alignment with the VTCSOM vision for the undergraduate medical education program, the Director ensures the appropriate design and delivery of an integrated curriculum across all courses and value domains. The Director is a key leader in curriculum innovation, working collaboratively with several groups to design, implement, and refine the Phase 1 curriculum, including faculty students and student leadership, instructional program staff (e.g., coordinators, managers, directors, etc.), course directors, value domain leaders, assessment/evaluation team, department chairs, and accreditation team.
Reporting Structure and Organizational Relationships
The Director of Phase 1 Curriculum reports directly to the Associate Dean for Educational Affairs, who in turn reports to the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education. The Director provides leadership and oversight for all Phase 1 course directors and co-directors, ensuring coordination, integration, and excellence across the curriculum. The Director works in close collaboration with the Associate Dean for Educational Affairs to align Phase 1 goals with the broader medical education mission and to support continuous improvement and innovation. The Director works collaboratively with other leaders in the education mission (including decanal-level leaders and department chairs) to facilitate a collaborative and innovative approach to the education mission.
Preferred Attributes:
The ideal candidate will exemplify the following attributes:
- Understanding of foundational sciences (basic/clinical sciences, health systems science, research)
- Experience in education design, assessment, and evaluation
- Track record of leadership in collaborative and professional team dynamics
- Commitment to fostering collaborative design and co-creation of learning experiences
- Ability to navigate and contribute meaningfully to the horizontal and vertical integration of curricular components
- Ability to engage in evidence-based, creative and innovative education work in team-based settings
- Strong communication, relational, and problem-solving skills
- Willingness to solicit adaptive feedback
- Administrative excellence to support a learning environment that leads to optimal outcomes
- Ability to collaborate with other institutions to share best practices and explore innovations
- Ability to tolerate some degree of ambiguity
Responsibilities and Primary Duties:
The responsibilities listed below are representative and will be performed collaboratively with VTCSOM educators and leadership. The responsibilities of the role will balance: (1) operational and administrative functions that are critical to the everyday success of the curriculum, and, (2) strategic and project-focused functions related to aspirational growth and elevation of the educational excellence at VTCSOM.
Operations and Administrative Functions
- Lead and contribute to relationship building with faculty course directors/educators, and instructional program staff (coordinators, managers, directors) to ensure one unified team.
- Chair the Phase Integration Committee – Phase I (PIC1)
- Participate as an ex officio member of the VTCSOM Medical Curriculum Committee (MCC)
- Participate in regular meetings of the Medical Education Leadership Team
- Manage course scheduling and the master curriculum schedule for Phase 1
- Lead curriculum-based projects to improve education quality (e.g., standardization of course syllabi)
- Collaborate with students (curriculum representative, class presidents) on curricular issues/improvements
- Collaborate with faculty course directors/educators on curricular objectives, design, and assessments
- Actively contribute to and document continuous quality improvement activities, and support accreditation processes and associated reporting requirements
- Contribute to the review, editing, and enactment of policies/guidelines/procedures related to the medical education program
- Support grant teams in building linkages with collaborating medical schools (when appropriate)
- Contribute to performance evaluations of pre-clinical managers, coordinators, and directors, as applicable
- Contribute to informational feedback or actionable remediation concerning Learning Environment Advocacy Committee concerns, as applicable
- Prepare and submit an annual report summarizing Phase 1 activities, outcomes, improvements, and strategic priorities, in alignment with institutional reporting requirements and educational mission goals
Strategic and Project-Focused Functions
- Collaborate with VTCSOM education leaders on a strategy for growth of curricular initiatives in Phase 1, particularly in the context of significant curricular changes
- Co-Direct one semester of Phase 1 coursework (e.g., Integrated Foundational Science, other)
- In collaboration with the Associate Dean for Assessment, Evaluation, and Strategic Analytics, facilitate the design/implementation of intentionally-designed assessments in Phase 1 coursework
- Support the integration and effective use of educational technologies by identifying and implementing tools that enhance teaching, learning, and assessment within Phase 1, and by collaborating with faculty to adopt innovative instructional strategies that align with curricular goals
- Create, lead, and evaluate new curricular and programmatic initiatives in Phase 1
- Facilitate bridges between partnering organizations and educators at other medical schools
- Engage in professional development applicable to role (e.g., assessment, HSS, systems thinking)
- Initiate/contribute to scholarly activities (when appropriate)
- Lead completion of strategic projects necessary for academic excellence and class size expansion
Eligibility and Appointment
This role will involve an estimated 0.50 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) commitment, with financial support contingent upon the individual’s salary. The position is open to individuals from a range of professional and academic backgrounds, including but not limited to physicians (M.D./D.O.) and biomedical scientists with the prerequisite being expertise relevant to medical education and the responsibilities of the role. Candidates should hold a terminal degree (e.g., M.D., D.O., Ph.D., Dr.P.H., Ed.D., or equivalent) and demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing the mission of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM). There is an expectation that this individual has or is eligible for a VTCSOM faculty appointment. If applicable, it is expected that the individual’s departmental leadership formally supports and protects the designated time (i.e., 0.5 FTE) to ensure the individual can fully meet the responsibilities of this role. Salary and compensation will be commensurate with the candidate’s training and experience and will be determined in accordance with available funding.
Application Materials
- Cover Letter (<2 pages) describing your interest in and experience applicable to the position.
- Current Curriculum Vitae with relevant experience highlighted.
- Brief Letter of Support from chair/division chief/supervisor (as appropriate) indicating full support for the application and qualifications, with commitment to protecting time at the dedicated FTE.
Please contact Alaina Guerry for more info/questions.