Associate Chief Pharmacy Officer - Pharmacy Business Operations

Job Summary

The Associate Chief Pharmacy Officer (ACPO) position at University of Michigan Health (UMH) is a key enterprise executive for the Department of Pharmacy (DOP). This role supports the Chief Pharmacy Officer and is responsible for development and oversight of multiple pharmacy-related programs and/or areas including the overall operation of UMH's pharmacy services. Specifically, this position leads planning, organization, and execution of pharmacy-related programs and projects. This position ensures all systems operate in accordance with MM policies and procedures, standards of practice based on alignment with national organizations, and state/federal laws.

The ACPO acts as part of the DOP senior leadership team and works closely with other senior department leaders across the UMH enterprise to ensure safe and effective patient care. This role has responsibility to achieve broadly stated goals directly and through subordinate personnel.  In this role, the ACPO will represent pharmacy to internal and external stakeholders at all levels of leadership within UMH and determine objectives, direct programs, develop strategies and policies, manages human, financial, and physical resources, and functions to meet enterprise objectives. 

Other functions include designing and leading pharmacy functions across multiple sites, accountability for the overall administrative planning and coordination of staffing, fiscal and material resources. Assists with the development and implementation of new services, policies and protocols, and use of technology.

Organizational Relationships:

Has a direct reporting relationship to the Chief Pharmacy Officer.

Partners closely with corresponding leaders in the Region, affiliated medical groups, University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, Medical School, and other affiliated Colleges and Schools, and corresponding leaders in acute and ambulatory care delivery.

Mission Statement

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally.  Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Why Join Michigan Medicine?

Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world’s most distinguished academic health systems.  In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.

What Benefits can you Look Forward to?

• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day
• 2:1 Match on retirement savings

Responsibilities*

Characteristics and Duties:

Directs and oversees leaders in assigned areas to ensure appropriate medication management, schedules, workflow systems, budgets, and performance requirements. Develops and implements standards, processes and approaches to deliver timely and quality service.

Supports and ensures execution of strategic plans and programs. Guides and determine decisions related to pharmacy-related services.

The ACPO will be expected to assume the role and responsibility for activities as assigned.

Leadership Areas

• Pharmacy finance and administration
  • Forecasting, budgeting, and financial performance driver analysis
  • Pharmacy charge capture, revenue optimization and billing integrity
  • Pharmacy administration, human resources, purchasing
• Pharmacy analytics
  • Data science, engineering and analytics
  • Data strategy
  • Dashboards and KPI reporting
• Pharmacy supply chain 
  • Pharmaceuticals acquisition strategy
  • Wholesaler, vendor and GPO relationships
  • Drug purchasing and inventory management
  • Drug shortage forecasting, monitoring & management
  • Pharmacy contracting
  • PBM network access
• 340B
  • Leads the pharmacy 340B Program
  • Program integrity & optimization
  • Payer & Manufacturer audits
  • Impact analysis and patient experience

Strategic Responsibility

• Develop and execute strategic plans for system-wide pharmacy business services, including thoughtful standardization, optimized drug expense, reliable medication procurement and supply stability, optimal inventory management, fully compliant 340B services, high integrity financial services, and high-quality and innovative pharmacy analytics and data strategy services
• Drive innovation and transformation initiatives to advance and support clinical, operational and financial outcomes
• Provide thought leadership in shaping pharmacy's role in high-reliability operations, financial stewardship, data-informed decision making and reliable drug procurement and 340B services.
• Develop and execute strategic goals and objectives for areas of responsibility

Operational Management

• Lead and oversee system-wide pharmacy services that drive financial and procurement standardization, including drug-related finances, budgeting and billing, the 340B program, pharmacy supply chain and pharmacy data analytics
• Oversee and continuously optimize operations, workforce management, inventory systems, contracting, and technology platforms to ensure financial sustainability and operational excellence for areas of responsibility.
• Provide executive level support for the development and management of contracts, purchase agreements, and contracting strategies, ensuring price optimization and compliance responsibilities
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and identify opportunities for continuous process improvement to reduce waste, decrease cost, and increase revenue
• Collaborate with and support other ACPOs and system pharmacy leaders to ensure optimal outcomes across the system
• Oversee capital asset management and landlord/tenant operations and provide daily oversight of activities at Joy Road Service center (140k sq ft facility), the headquarters of the Pharmacy Enterprise

Financial Management

• Drive optimization of medication-related expenses to balance clinical benefits with economic impact, leveraging contracting, relationships, resources, efficiency and stewardship 
• Oversee development of pharmacy-related budgets, including workforce management, operational expenses, capital expenses and projects, partnering with pharmacy leaders across the system
• Monitor financial performance and partner with pharmacy leaders to adjust tactics to meet budgetary targets while maintaining high standards.
• Monitor internal performance and external market forces to adapt pharmacy strategies with emerging market trends

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with all applicable Michigan Medicine policy, federal and state regulations and accreditation standards for areas of responsibility
• Lead system readiness for inspections, audits, and response to findings with action plans to ensure ongoing compliance, risk reduction, and financial integrity / recovery for areas of responsibility
• Implement guidelines, policies and procedures that promote compliant financial, data and procurement practices.

Staff Leadership and Development

• Lead recruitment, retention, and development of pharmacy leaders, managers, and clinical staff across all sites for areas of responsibility.
• Foster a culture of belonging, engagement, accountability, and professional growth.
• Support leadership succession planning, competency development, and staff well-being initiatives.

Collaboration and Communication Across Sites

• Serve as the central point of coordination among pharmacy leaders across system pharmacy services to ensure alignment, consistency, and best practices for financial, procurement and data-related initiatives.
• Collaborate with finance, supply chain, IT, executive teams, and other internal and external stakeholders to advance system initiatives.
• Represent system pharmacy services in cross-functional committees and system councils for applicable areas of responsibility

Innovation and Advancement

• Champion innovative practices in pharmacy automation, technology, and medication analytics to support scalable models for areas of responsibility
• Identify and implement emerging technologies that improve outcomes
• Promote a culture of continuous learning and adaptive change to stay at the forefront of health system pharmacy practice  

Required Qualifications*

Job Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities) 

Education: Doctor of Pharmacy degree (or equivalent) required. Residency (or equivalent experience) is required. Advanced business degree (e.g., MBA, MHA, MS) or candidacy to earn the degree (must be completed within 3 years) required. Minimally eligible for academic rank of Clinical Assistant Professor preferred. 

Licensure/Certification: Current license to practice as a Pharmacist in the State of Michigan 

Experience: At least 10 years of progressively responsible health-system pharmacy leadership; involvement in the training of pharmacy students and residents.

OR

Education: Advanced business degree (e.g., MBA, MHA, MS) required. 

Licensure/Certification: Current license to practice in the State of Michigan in business-related field (e.g., accounting), if applicable, or certification (e.g., finance), as applicable.

Experience: At least 10 years of progressively responsible health-system pharmacy leadership required; involvement in the training of students and residents.

Other skills:

• Effective communication (written and verbal) skills 
• Demonstrated decision-making skills
• Demonstrated success leading projects and initiatives to improve efficiency, quality, safety and service levels in a complex healthcare environment
• Extensive knowledge of pharmacy business and current trends in contemporary pharmacy service provision
• Extensive knowledge of regulatory board requirements and federal and state regulations in contemporary pharmacy business provision
• Ability to recruit and retain highly skilled professional staff
• Strong knowledge of pharmacy informatics and technology within pharmacy and health systems
• Knowledgeable about the pharmaceutical supply chain, clinical therapeutics, human resources management, and budget management 
• Proven leadership skills in motivating, developing, and empowering leaders and staff
• Track record of collaboration and effective partnerships with internal stakeholders including physicians, nurses, hospital administrators and others
• Ability to align operations and establish best practices across the health-system

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Background Screening

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings.  Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.