Founding Physician Assistant Program Director

Founding Physician Assistant Program Director,

Assistant Professor, In-Residence, non-tenure track position

Bradley University, in partnership with the national search firm Scott Healy & Associates, invites applications and nominations for the position of Founding Physician Assistant Program Director. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced, accomplished, and innovative leader to shape and grow a PA program at a top-ranked, private university known for its personalized and transformative student experience. The Founding Program Director will have the chance to build a diverse and high-quality faculty team, design an innovative curriculum and develop policy aligned with ARC-PA standards, and lead the program through initial accreditation and ongoing excellence. This role offers the ability to influence the future of PA education while collaborating across the College of Education and Health Sciences, engaging with the vibrant Peoria community, and contributing to a nationally recognized institution with a commitment to professional preparation, experiential learning, and student success.

Responsibilities:

Program Development

• Lead the development of a high-quality curriculum and develop policy that is consistent with ARC-PA Standards and will lead to successful graduates.
• Recruit and hire a high-quality, diverse faculty team.

Enrollment Planning and Management

• Recruit and select qualified students.
• Operationalize the curriculum through the development of semester schedules and faculty assignments according to their expertise.
• Work closely with Bradley's recruitment and marketing team.

Budget Planning, Development, and Management

• Prioritize and communicate budgetary and other resource needs to the Bradley administration.
• Responsibly manage the allocated budget.

Manage Program Affairs

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the PA program including supervision of the medical director, faculty and staff.
• Ensure timely and appropriate internal and external communications.
• Develop and maintain an ongoing program evaluation and outcomes assessment processes consistent with ARC-PA Standards.

Provide Academic, Personal and Professional Leadership

• Mentor faculty and staff to facilitate their personal and professional growth and advancement including encouraging excellence in teaching, scholarship and service.
• Foster teamwork, high morale, and a positive workplace for program personnel.

Provide Student Service

• Ensure students are aware of program and institutional policies and responsibilities and address any deviations or concerns.
• Facilitate student access to institutional and community resources as needed.

Represent the Program to External and Internal Constituencies

• Work with college administration and colleagues to develop and maintain a strong reputation for the PA program within the institution, region and the PA profession.
• Represent the program to internal and external constituencies in a positive and professional manner.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of a master's degree; doctorate preferred
• Certified as a National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistant (NCCPA)
• Minimum of 3 years of full-time clinical experience
• Minimum of 3 years of full-time, PA higher education experience at the time of appointment
• Current state PA licensure
• Eligibility for licensure as a PA in the State of Illinois

Application and Nomination Process:

All correspondence relating to the position of Founding Physician Assistant Program Director at Bradley University should be directed in confidence to the University's executive search consultant: Jamie Marcus, Vice President, Scott Healy & Associates, jamiemarcus@scotthealy.com.

A complete application should include the following:

1. Cover Letter outlining your interest and qualifications for the position;

2. Updated CV;

3. Contact information for three (3) professional references with title, institutional affiliation, email address and direct phone numbers. (No references will be contacted without written permission from the candidate.)

Applications received by July 10, 2026 will receive priority consideration. The search will remain open until the position is filled.

Employment at Bradley University is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a criminal background check. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Bradley University offers a competitive benefits package including health, dental, vision, life and disability coverages, FSA, HSA, and retirement plan options. Bradley also offers significant higher education cost savings for employees and dependents through the Tuition Remission program. Information regarding our benefits can be found here: https://www.bradley.edu/offices/business/human-resources/benefits/

Bradley University is a top-ranked, private university in Peoria, Illinois, offering nearly 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students' opportunities, choices, and resources to build their futures. Innovation, action, and collaboration drive Bradley students to generate ideas and create solutions that remake the world around them. Our comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate academic programs includes business, communications, education, engineering, fine arts, health sciences, liberal arts and sciences, and technology.

Bradley University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The administration, faculty and staff are committed to attracting qualified candidates from underrepresented groups.