How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
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.
Job Summary
The Associate Chief Operating Officer (ACOO) for Basic Sciences is an executive leadership role responsible for providing administrative and financial leadership for nine academic departments within the University of Michigan Medical School. The Basic Sciences represent annual operating budget of approximately $185M of annual operating expense budget, including 264 faculty members and 575 staff occupying over 284K of net assignable square feet of Medical School research and administrative space.
The ACOO will collaborate closely with faculty leadership, department administrators, and the Dean?s Office to develop and implement a strategic vision that advances basic science administration, maintains fiscal health, reduces administrative burden, and supports innovative research and learning.
Responsibilities*
- Develop and implement a strategic vision for basic science administration, ensuring alignment with the Medical School's mission and goals.
- Provide leadership, mentorship, and professional development for Basic Science Chief Department Administrators (CDAs) across the nine units.
- Foster an environment of accountability, transparency, and service excellence.
- Oversee key operational functions, including financial planning, sponsored research administration, faculty recruitment, faculty compensation, and space utilization.
- Develop and oversee processes for budgeting, financial analysis, and resource allocation for the basic sciences.
- Facilitate business planning for new initiatives and develop managerial reports on the basic sciences enterprise.
- Strengthen consistency and alignment in financial and operational practices.
- Advance scalable models that support growth, compliance, and long-term sustainability.
- Act as an interim CDA in departments with vacancies and oversee the recruitment of permanent administrators.
- Monitor and optimize space utilization, including planning for renovations.
- Serve as a member of the Medical School Administration?s senior leadership team, collaborating across departments and shared services.
- Lead efforts to enhance administrative efficiency and support faculty by reducing unnecessary administrative expenses.
- Coordinate the preparation of internal/external reviews, annual reports, key performance metrics, and strategic communications for stakeholders.
- Partner with the Endowment for Basic Sciences (EBS) committee to ensure financial commitments align with strategic priorities by:
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- Advising on business and finance support needed for decisions
- Preparing reports/analyses and business plans as requested by EBS
- Establishing metrics to assess success of commitments
- Coordinating preparation of an annual report on EBS commitments
Required Qualifications*
- Master?s degree in finance, business administration, health administration, accounting, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in administrative and financial roles within a complex organization, preferably in an academic medical center or research-intensive setting.
- Deep understanding of the financial, research, clinical, and educational dimensions of academic medicine.
- Demonstrated expertise in financial management, budgeting, and resource allocation.
- Strong executive presence with the ability to influence at the chair, dean, and health system leadership levels.
- Demonstrated expertise in academic budgeting, funds flow models, and complex revenue structures.
- Proven ability to lead and mentor teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.
- Experience in space planning, operational efficiency, and process improvement.
- Comprehensive understanding of trends in biomedical research and higher education.
Desired Qualifications*
- Familiarity with regulatory requirements in higher education and research administration.
- Experience with developing innovative strategies to support laboratory science and maximize research funding.
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.
Additional Information
Supervision Exercised:
The ACOO directly supervises select financial and research administration teams supporting the basic science departments, and other administrative leaders within the basic sciences units. The ACOO will serve as interim CDA during transition periods.
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.