University of Kentucky

Dept Admin/Ophthalmology/UKHC

University of Kentucky$95K — $185K *
Hospitals & Medical Centers
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
  • 8 years of related experience in academic medicine or healthcare administration.
  • Strong financial and analytical skills with experience in budget management.
  • Proven ability to build collaborative relationships across diverse groups.
  • Experience leading administrative teams and managing human resources functions.

Responsibilities

  • Direct department's financial and business operations including budgeting and forecasting.
  • Monitor financial performance to support departmental goals and long-range planning.
  • Develop and implement strategic priorities alongside departmental leadership.
  • Provide leadership for faculty and staff affairs including recruitment and professional development.
  • Oversee facilities and administrative support functions to enhance operational efficiency.

Benefits

  • Full-time position with a Monday-Friday schedule.
  • Leadership role with significant responsibilities and opportunities for impact.
  • Engagement in a rapidly growing department dedicated to community outreach and education.
  • Access to educational programs and opportunities for professional development.
Full Job Description
Posting Details

Posting Details

Job Title
Dept Admin/Ophthalmology/UKHC

Requisition Number
RE55423

Working Title
Ophthalmology Department Administrator

Department Name
MG360: Ophth & Visual Science

Work Location
Lexingon, KY

Grade Level
15

Salary Range
$95,056-185,848/year

Type of Position
Staff

Position Time Status
Full-Time

Required Education

BA

Click here for more information about equivalencies:
https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies

Required Related Experience

8 yrs

Required License/Registration/Certification

None

Physical Requirements

Ability to work in a sedentary position utilizing keyboard, mouse, computer and telephone. Ability to travel across campus for meetings.

Shift

Monday - Friday, 8am to 5pm with occasional early or late meetings as needed

Job Summary

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine seeks a strategic and collaborative leader to serve as Department Administrator for the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. Reporting directly to the Department Chair, the Department Administrator serves as the department's senior administrative leader and provides leadership for financial management, operations, human resources, faculty affairs, facilities, and strategic planning.

As a key member of the department's leadership team, the Department Administrator partners with faculty, staff, and institutional leaders to advance the department's clinical, educational, research, and outreach missions while ensuring sound fiscal stewardship, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance.

Position Overview

The Department Administrator is responsible for the overall administration of a complex academic department and serves as a principal advisor to the Department Chair. This position provides leadership and oversight for departmental finances, operations, human resources, faculty affairs, facilities, and business planning activities, while supporting the department's strategic priorities and long-term growth.

Primary Responsibilities

Financial Leadership & Business Operations
• Direct the department's financial and business operations, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and resource allocation.
• Monitor financial performance and operational metrics to support departmental goals and long-range planning.
• Ensure compliance with University, College of Medicine, UK HealthCare, and regulatory requirements.
Strategic Planning & Administration
• Partner with the Department Chair and leadership team to develop and implement strategic priorities.
• Identify opportunities to improve operations, enhance efficiency, and support departmental growth.
• Lead special initiatives and provide recommendations related to organizational structure, staffing, and resource management.
Human Resources & Faculty Affairs
• Provide leadership and oversight for faculty and staff affairs.
• Support workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, performance management, and professional development activities.
• Coordinate faculty recruitment, appointment, promotion, and retention processes.
Operations & Facilities Management
• Oversee facilities, space planning, equipment management, and administrative support functions.
• Support the department's educational, research, and clinical activities through effective operational management.
• Foster a collaborative, service-oriented culture focused on continuous improvement.

About the Department

The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine is a rapidly growing academic department dedicated to improving eye health through excellence in patient care, education, research, and community outreach. The department includes 38 faculty members representing all major ophthalmology subspecialties and supporting broad clinical, educational, and research missions across the Commonwealth.

Since 2017, the department has experienced significant growth, including a 74% increase in faculty, 71% growth in patient visits, and a 93% increase in clinical productivity (wRVUs)

The department maintains a substantial statewide clinical and outreach presence. During FY26, faculty and providers delivered care more than 103,000 patient encounters through UK Shriners Children's Ophthalmology services, seven community clinic locations, and twelve outreach locations across Kentucky. In addition, the department performed nearly 4,700 surgical cases across eight operating room locations.

The department's educational programs include an ACGME-accredited ophthalmology residency program, multiple fellowship programs, and an optometry residency. Faculty and trainees also contribute to research, community outreach, telemedicine initiatives, and global ophthalmology programs that expand access to vision care in Kentucky and beyond.

As a key member of the department's leadership team, the Department Administrator will partner closely with the Department Chair and faculty leaders to support continued growth, strengthen operations, and advance the department's strategic priorities.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

The successful candidate will possess strong financial and analytical skills, strategic thinking, organizational leadership, and the ability to build collaborative relationships across diverse constituencies. Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications is required. Experience with Epic, Tableau, Axiom, or similar healthcare and financial reporting systems is preferred.

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?
Yes

Preferred Education/Experience

Preference will be given to candidates with:
• Progressive leadership experience in academic medicine, healthcare administration, higher education administration, or a similarly complex organization.
• Experience supporting an academic clinical department, faculty practice, health system, or healthcare enterprise.
• Demonstrated success in financial management, strategic planning, operational oversight, and organizational leadership.
• Experience leading administrative teams and managing human resources functions.
• Knowledge of faculty affairs, graduate medical education, and research administration.
• Demonstrated ability to build effective relationships with physicians, faculty leaders, administrators, and other stakeholders.
• A master's degree in business administration, healthcare administration, public administration, higher education administration, or a related field.

Deadline to Apply
09/01/2026

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