Chair of the Department of Finance - 12 Month

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Closing Date:

01/05/2026

Type of Position:

ChairNo

Job Type:

RegularDay Shift (United States of America)No

Institution Name:

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas is a land grant institution, classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the nation’s top 2 percent of universities with the highest level of research activity. The University of Arkansas works to advance the state and build a better world through education, research, and outreach by providing transformational opportunities and skills, fostering a welcoming climate, and nurturing creativity, discovery, and the spread of new ideas and innovations.

The University of Arkansas campus is located in Fayetteville, a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. The growing region surrounding Fayetteville is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and one of the nation’s strongest economies. Northwest Arkansas is also quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life.

As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions, you should review before applying for the opening.

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Department:

Walton Department Chairshttps://walton.uark.edu

Summary of Job Duties:

The University of Arkansas's Sam M. Walton College of Business is currently seeking applications for the position of Chair of the Department of Finance, with the preferred start date being in Fall 2026. The Finance Department boasts the largest degree program in the Walton College with over 2,100 undergraduate student majors, a growing master’s program, and a robust Ph.D. program. The Finance Department Chair holds the Helen R. Walton Endowed Chair of Finance. The Endowed Chair is devoted to leading the Department to regional and national prominence in the field of financial education.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, administrative, and collaborative skills, working effectively with faculty members of all ranks. Candidates should possess the skill and interest to engage external constituents and industry partners. The Finance Department is distinctly positioned to engage with high-profile corporate employers, influential investment banking firms, and prominent alumni. The College emphasizes the presence of engaged and mission-minded leaders, including communicating regularly with faculty and staff, maintaining regular on-campus presence, fostering a team-oriented environment, and aligning the mission and goals of the department with the Walton College goals. A key element of the Walton College leadership environment is collaborative engagement with the Dean’s Office and other Department Chairs. As part of the College’s Executive Committee, the Department Chair plays a crucial role in shaping and implementing both the Department’s and College’s strategic direction.

By virtue of their own research and teaching accomplishments, the Department Chair is also positioned to lead the department in attracting, developing, and evaluating faculty and staff to advance the Department’s research, teaching, and outreach missions. The Department Chair drives faculty attention to undergraduate curriculum innovation and rigor, advances graduate program effectiveness, serves as a role model for faculty and staff by maintaining a positive attitude and fostering productive and collegial relationships within the department and with other administrators. Department Chairs are expected to be accessible to students and faculty during normal university hours, including summer, except when representing the department, college, or university in off-campus activities.

The 12-month position entails a 60% administrative role. It is structured as a renewable 5-year term, offering a competitive compensation package. Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is essential.

Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Finance or a closely related field conferred by the start of employment

• Associate Professor rank or higher with tenure at an AACSB accredited business school or college

• An established research record of publishing in leading peer-reviewed journals

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Demonstrated collegiality and teamwork

• Demonstrated desire to engage and collaborate with executive leadership of the College

Preferred Qualifications:

• A research and teaching record suitable for tenure at the full professor level

• Prior experience as department chair (or equivalent) that shows an ability to perform all administrative, budgetary, curricular and engagement activities of the department

• A proven record of securing external funds through fundraising, industry sponsored research, or grants

• Evidence of developing innovative initiatives in academic programs, outreach and/or administration

• Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement and innovation

Additional Information:

The Department of Finance in the Sam M. Walton College of Business:

The Department of Finance at the Sam M. Walton College of Business boasts a distinguished reputation in education and research. It offers undergraduate, professional masters, and PhD programs. It represents the largest undergraduate major within the College of Business with over 2,100 students, including a Professional Masters Program and Doctoral Program. The Department focuses on innovative research and practical applications, supported by strong industry partnerships. The Major includes concentrations in Banking, Investments, Real Estate, Risk Management, and Financial Analytics.

The Department’s total endowment exceeds $20 Million, including nine endowed chairs and professorships. The Department includes 31 full-time faculty. Faculty members include leading scholars and industry experts who contribute to significant advancements in finance. The department has a growing emphasis on alternative investments and artificial intelligence, in addition to longstanding focus areas of interest.

The Department emphasizes experiential learning, providing students with experience through industry collaborations, case competitions, student investment portfolio management, and internships. These are supported through the presence of 3 separate student-managed investment funds with combined assets over $7 Million, the earliest of which was established in 1971. These innovations are also bolstered by the presence of the Garrison Financial Institute and its respective Centers.

For more information, visit Department of Finance at the University of Arkansas. https://walton.uark.edu/departments/finance/

The Sam M. Walton College of Business:

The Sam M. Walton College of Business is accredited by AACSB International. The College is comprised of over 10,000 students and nearly 200 full-time faculty. The Walton College holds eight academic Departments including Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Management, Supply Chain Management, Economics, Information Systems, and Strategy, Entrepreneurship and Venture Innovation, each with a doctoral-degree granting programs. Academic offerings include undergraduate majors and minors, a robust online program, eight professional masters degrees, a full-time MBA, and Executive MBA. The Walton College has consistently been ranked among the nation’s top 25 public undergraduate business schools since 2005, according to U.S. News and World Report. The University of Arkansas is the State’s Flagship Land Grant R1 University. It has a total enrollment of more than 35,000 students.

For search related questions, please contact:

Dr. Tim Riley (Search Committee Co-Chair) triley@walton.uark.edu

Salary is commensurate with education and experience.Cover Letter/Letter of Application, Curriculum Vitae, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title)Proof of Veteran StatusDr. Tim Riley triley@walton.uark.edu

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

All application materials must be uploaded to the U of A’s career site: http://jobs.uark.edu/postings/R0079221 on or before January 5, 2026 at 12:01am, for full consideration.

Applications should include a CV (including a list of references), and a cover letter that briefly states: administration experience / interest; prior research and teaching experience. Late applications will be reviewed as necessary to fill the position.

Pre-employment Screening Requirements:

Criminal Background Check, Sex Offender Registry

The University of Arkansas is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions, there may also be a financial (credit) background check, a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check, and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas seeks to attract, develop and retain high quality faculty, staff and administrators that consistently display practices and behaviors to advance a culture that embeds equal opportunity, educational excellence and unparalleled access for all.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University’s Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All Application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Constant Physical Activity:

N/A

Frequent Physical Activity:

N/A

Occasional Physical Activity:

N/A

Benefits Eligible:

Yes