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[zookers]

I have seen several job ads for external chairs at desirable (for me) institutions, to which I would be interested in applying.  The problem is I have no experience as chair (I am a recently-promoted assoc. professor), and am wondering how one breaks into the game. 

Is it possible to land such a position without this pre-requisite?  To those who have served on search committees, or to those who themselves are in this position: what kind of experience do you look for in such a hire?  Are there other organizational / leadership activities that would qualify someone in your book?  For example, I have been actively spearheading departmental initiatives (curriculum revision, etc...), and was on the formation committee for a new certificate program on campus.

[csguy]

Certificate of insanity from a reputable psychiatrist.

Your experience sounds like a good start but it's just a start.

Supervisory experience would probably be a major criterion. Program Director or the like would also be useful.

[sibyl]

Your activities are fine, although you are probably up against people with more of them.  Experience with budgets and supervision are indeed helpful.  Leadership of some initiative outside your department is also a good idea: curriculum revision at the division, school, or institution level; the search committee for the president or dean or other VP; faculty athletic representative for the NCAA.

Your mention of "desirable (for me)" makes me wonder: are you trying to move up the academic ladder?  The usual rule of thumb is "move down to move up":  that is, a tenured professor at a research-intensive university applies to be chair or dean at a master's university, or a dean at a master's university applies to be chair at an R1.

[sciencephd]

In my world you pretty much need to be a full professor to get a position as chair.

[jackalope]

I think you need some experience on campus wide and high profile committees. Assessment, curriculum, that sort of thing. And some experience working with budgets or supervising employees would be good.

But go ahead and apply. The funny thing about a chair is that you still teach, and the department may have a real need for your specialty.

[csguy]

Be aware that chairing a department may have a negative impact on your research.  As one of my chairs expressed it: "The committee said 'Great service J___. Now how about the research?'"