Chief Dept Administrator

Apply Now

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.

Job Summary

The mission of the University of Michigan Medical School is to transform health through bold and innovative education, discovery, and service. This mission is supported by a set of strategic pillars with a commitment to people, discovery, education, care, and service.

The University of Michigan?s Department of Learning Health Sciences (DLHS), established in 2014, is the nation?s first and only basic science department dedicated to studying how health systems learn, adapt, and continuously improve. Our faculty bring together expertise spanning medicine, public health, education, data science, implementation science, artificial intelligence, informatics, behavioral science, and organizational learning to accelerate the translation of knowledge into better health care.

In addition to advancing research and scholarship, DLHS is deeply committed to educating the next generation of leaders who will transform health care. The department offers PhD and MS degree programs, as well as professional development opportunities for faculty, residents and fellows.   DLHS is also home to the Clinical Simulation Center, which delivers state-of-the-art simulation-based education and training for clinicians throughout Michigan Medicine.  More information about the department can be found here:
https://medschool.umich.edu/departments/learning-health-sciences  

The Department is seeking a Chief Department Administrator (CDA) to serve as the senior administrative leader for the department. The CDA will partner with the Department Chair to manage departmental operations and accomplish strategic initiatives aligned with the mission, vision, and priorities of the Medical School and Michigan Medicine. The CDA will maintain a collaborative relationship with the Associate Chief Operating Officer for the Basic Sciences, working in partnership to ensure alignment of departmental operations, financial management, resource planning, and administrative practices across the basic science departments.

The CDA will also be accountable to the Chief Operating Officer of the Medical School for academic and administrative operations, institutional alignment, policy compliance, and the achievement of the Medical School's strategic objectives.
 

Responsibilities*

Operational Accountability

  • Partners with the Department Chair and the leadership team to align departmental goals with the Michigan Medicine strategy and help develop and implement a plan to accomplish these goals.
  • Provides executive oversight of departmental finance, human resources, research administration, education administration, facilities and space planning, compliance, contracts and service agreements, information systems, and operational infrastructure to support the department?s mission. 
  • Partners with the Department Chair in all areas of faculty recruitment, appointments, promotions, compensation planning, workforce planning, and faculty resource allocation while ensuring alignment with Medical School policies, including appointment and faculty promotion. Partners with faculty affairs in the Dean?s Office of the medical school and medical school finance for faculty economics and planning.
  • Advises departmental leadership on institutional policies, governance, and administrative practices while ensuring compliance with university and medical school requirements.
  • Identifies operational, financial, compliance, and reputational risks and proactively develops mitigation strategies to support departmental success.
  • Uses financial, operational, and workforce data to inform strategic planning, evaluate organizational performance, and support evidence-based decision making.
  • Stays apprised of current issues and policies affecting the academic medical center, understands how these may impact the department, and adjusts strategy accordingly.
  • Supports the growth of innovative interdisciplinary programs, strategic partnerships, and externally funded initiatives that advance the department's research, education, and service missions.

Leadership Competencies

  • Collaborates to create a shared vision, effectively communicates the vision and inspires stakeholders to build consensus.
  • Models integrity, respect, transparency, collaboration, and professionalism while fostering a culture of trust, accountability, and high performance. 
  • Navigates complex organizational challenges with professionalism, facilitates productive resolution of conflict, and builds strong relationships across faculty, staff, and institutional partners.
  • Communicates effectively to a multitude of audiences, using the appropriate medium/s of communication at the appropriate time to elicit feedback, share information and construct messaging that will have the maximum impact on others.
  • Acts with courage and confidence to encourage creative thinking, seize opportunities, demonstrate personal conviction, and convey an optimistic outlook.
  • Leads organizational improvement and change management initiatives by applying continuous improvement principles and fostering innovation across administrative operations. 
  • Fosters and supports diverse teams and promotes a work climate that is inclusive and elicits a high level of team engagement in the department's missions.
  • Builds and maintains effective relationships with Medical School leadership, Michigan Medicine administrative partners, faculty, staff, trainees, donors, and external collaborators.
  • Coaches and develops others and provides professional development support. Develops talent with both the individual and organizational needs in mind.
  • Develops a culture of accountability, provides the team with the strategic direction, prioritization, and support to achieve results. 
  • Identifies problems and involves appropriate individuals to reach resolution.
  • Leads in the alignment with Michigan Medicine leadership and priorities by being organizationally astute and leveraging processes and relationships to succeed.  
  • Adapts oneself in a complex environment, adjusting as required and always engaging in self-reflection, continual learning and growth.
     

Required Qualifications*

  • MBA, MPH, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • 5+ years of experience in a related field.
  • Demonstrated ability to present and gain acceptance of ideas and proposals.
  • Extensive knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting, and data analysis.
  • Demonstrated strength in verbal and written communication.
  • Demonstrated ability to be an effective leader in a complex and dynamic organization.
     

Desired Qualifications*

  • Experience in managing research and grant activity and knowledge of pre- and post- award management and research compliance.
  • Knowledge of funds flow in the organization.
  • Experience in fund accounting, and how to manage operational margins and financial assets.
  • Experience in educational programs, procurement and service contracts.

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

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 any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.