Posting Details
Posting Details
Job Title
Dept Admin/Surgery/UKHC
Requisition Number
RE56075
Working Title
Department Administrator - Department of Surgery
Department Name
MG375: Surgery
Work Location
Lexington, KY
Grade Level
16
Salary Range
$111,634-222,352/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
The successful candidate must be able to utilize a computer for extended periods of time and have the ability to travel to meetings across campus.
Shift
This position will primarily work Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Additional hours or early or late meetings may be required based on business needs.
Job Summary
The University of Kentucky College of Medicine seeks a strategic and collaborative leader to serve as Department Administrator for the Department of Surgery. 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, research administration, strategic planning, and the development of administrative talent and organizational capabilities.
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, and research missions while ensuring sound fiscal stewardship, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance.
Position Overview
The Department Administrator is responsible for the overall administration of a large and 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, 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, sponsor, 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, retention, and advancement processes.
Operations, Research & Educational Administration
• Provide administrative leadership for the department's clinical, research, and educational support functions.
• Support research administration, sponsored projects, and operational infrastructure that advance the department's research mission.
• Support residency, fellowship, and other educational programs through effective operational management.
• Foster a collaborative, service-oriented culture focused on continuous improvement.
About the Department
The Department of Surgery is one of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine's largest and most complex academic departments. The department includes 13 clinical and academic divisions, approximately 80 faculty members, 115 advanced practice providers, and supports approximately 88 residents and fellows across its residency and fellowship training programs. The department manages an annual operating expense budget of nearly $74 million.
Department faculty provide advanced surgical care across a broad range of specialties while supporting nationally recognized programs in patient care, education, research, and innovation. Faculty contribute to multidisciplinary programs through the Markey Cancer Center, UK Transplant Center, Lung Service Line, Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, and Gill Heart & Vascular Institute. The department also supports robust residency and fellowship training programs that prepare the next generation of surgical leaders.
As a key member of the department's leadership team, the Department Administrator will partner closely with the Department Chair, division chiefs, 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 different 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, research administration, and healthcare operations.
• 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
11/09/2026