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 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.

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 .

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.

Job Detail

Job Opening ID

279937

Working Title

Chief Dept Administrator

Job Title

Chief Dept Administrator Hlth

Work Location

Ann Arbor Campus

Ann Arbor, MI

Modes of Work

Onsite

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

FLSA Status

Exempt

Organizational Group

Medical School

Department

MM DLHS Administration

Posting Begin/End Date

7/09/2026 - 8/08/2026

Career Interest

Healthcare Admin & Support