Salary: $95,120.00 - $148,625.00 Annually
Location : Detroit, Michigan, MI
Job Type: Certified-Regular Civil Service
Job Number:
Department: Dept of Health & Wellness
Division: Health Operations
Opening Date: 08/24/2026
Closing Date: 8/26/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Bargaining Unit: 0500

Description
Department of Health Internal Candidates Only

Director of Administrative Operations - DETROIT HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Under the general direction of the Chief Public Health Officer, as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Director of Administrative Operations is responsible for the administrative operations of the Detroit Health Department including building operations, human resources, employee development, internal operations, and other programs and initiatives as assigned. The Director oversees a team of 6-9 staff. Duties and responsibilities include policy development, program planning and coordination, team and culture building, daily operations, communications, internal financial coordination, quality improvement and overall division leadership. The area of responsibility is wide, requiring various competencies and bases of knowledge, including human resources, employee engagement, budget coordination and facilities. The ideal candidate must be a proficient multi-tasker that is able to plan many kinds of operational activities. Leadership skills must be exemplary as is the ability to manage effectively in a diverse workplace and uncover the most efficient manner to run the business.

As a member of the Senior Leadership team, the incumbent must have an advanced ability to forecast and make recommendations to Senior Leadership that will safeguard and augment the Health Department's operations to secure long-term success. Must be able to effectively communicate orally and in writing with the ability to represent the department to external stakeholders including City Council and the Mayor's Office. The ideal candidate will be a strong project manager with exceptional organizational skills. Experience in policy development is required.

Examples of Duties
Human Resources

• Set department-wide strategy to assist with the City HR for recruitment and retention activities.
• Liaise with City and appropriate fiduciary agencies to ensure a smooth and productive working relationship.
• Oversee on-boarding, team professional evaluation processes, and performance improvement, disciplinary action and off-boarding processes and procedures.
• Collaborate with Senior Leaders, Directors, and Program Managers to ensure that all employees have an excellent daily work experience.

Facilities

• Oversee the management of the department's facilities, whether leased or owned.
• Develop strategic short- and long-term goals for facility management functions.
• Ensure physical layouts support safe, positive, and confidential client relationships.
• Represent the Health Department with external and internal stakeholders.
• Lead negotiation of leases, contracts, and other business relationships.

Finance and Procurement

• Oversee the department's internal financial operations and maintain strong working relationships with the City Offices of the CFO, Procurement, Grants Management, and Audit.
• Develop financial management processes and tools, including metrics and dashboards, that ensure financial excellence, growth, and transparent accountability of all financial processes.
• Work with Senior Leadership and program managers to develop, monitor, and meet organizational budget needs.
• Define, review, and improve internal processes on an ongoing basis to achieve best practice financial management standards.

Other

• Formulate Health Department business plans to drive excellence in operations.
• Develop a robust understanding of operational needs and nuances of every program and service of the Health Department to ensure effective and efficient operations meeting or exceeding national accreditation standards.
• Ensure that all operational plans align with requirements as outlined in the Michigan Public Health Code.

• Other duties assigned by the Chief Public Health Officer or Deputy Director

Minimum Qualifications

Master's or Doctoral degree in Medicine, Public Health, Business Administration, Health Science Administration or other related field.

Five or more years of experience in a management or leadership position with progressive leadership experience in public health, government, or nonprofit sectors.
Preferred:
Master's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Public Health, Healthcare Administration, or a related discipline required.
• Seven or more years of experience managing the operations of a public agency or entity of similar complexity required.****A RESUME MUST BE ATTACHED*****

Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Supplemental Information

POSITION COMPETENCIES:
Analytical/Assessment Skills
• Describes factors affecting the health of a community (e.g., equity, income, education, environment)
• Integrates findings from quantitative and qualitative data into organizational plans and operations (e.g., strategic plan, quality improvement plan, professional development)
• Assesses assets and resources that can be used for improving the health of a community (e.g., Boys & Girls Clubs, public libraries, hospitals, faith-based organizations, academic institutions, federal grants, fellowship programs)

Policy Development/Program Planning
• Develops strategies for continuous quality improvement.

Communication Skills
• Ensures that the literacy of populations served (e.g., ability to obtain, interpret, and use health and other information; social media literacy) is reflected in the organization's policies, programs, and services.
• Communicates in writing and orally with linguistic and cultural proficiency (e.g., using age-appropriate materials, incorporating images)
• Evaluates approaches for disseminating public health data and information (e.g., social media, newspapers, newsletters, journals, town hall meetings, libraries, neighborhood gatherings)
• Conveys data and information to professionals and the public using a variety of approaches (e.g., reports, presentations, email, letters, testimony, press interviews)
• Communicates the roles of governmental public health, health care, and other partners in improving the health of a community.
Cultural Competency Skills
• Describes the concept of diversity as it applies to individuals and populations (e.g., language, culture, values, socioeconomic status, geography, education, race, gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, profession, religious affiliation, mental and physical abilities, historical experiences)
• Describes the diversity of individuals and populations in a community.
• Recognizes the ways diversity influences policies, programs, services, and the health of a community.
• Advocates for the diversity of individuals and populations being addressed in policies, programs, and services that affect the health of a community.
• Takes measures to support a diverse public health workforce.

Community Dimensions of Practice Skills
• Ensures that community members are engaged to improve health in a community (e.g., input in developing and implementing community health assessments and improvement plans, feedback about programs and services)
• Ensures that community input is used for developing, implementing, evaluating, and improving policies, programs, and services.

Financial Planning and Management Skills
• Ensures that programs are managed within current and projected budgets and staffing levels (e.g., sustaining a program when funding and staff are cut, recruiting, and retaining staff)
• Establishes teams for the purpose of achieving program and organizational goals (e.g., considering the value of different disciplines, sectors, skills, experiences, and perspectives; determining scope of work and timeline)
• Motivates personnel for the purpose of achieving program and organizational goals (e.g., participating in teams, encouraging sharing of ideas, respecting different points of view)
• Oversees the use of evaluation results to improve program and organizational performance.

Leadership and Systems Thinking
• Ensures continuous improvement of individual, program, and organizational performance (e.g., mentoring, monitoring progress, adjusting programs to achieve better results)
• Advocates for the role of public health in providing population health services
Evaluation Plan

• Interview: 70%
• Evaluation of Training, Experience & Personal Qualifications: 30%
• Total of Interview and Evaluation T.E.P: 100%

Additional points may be awarded for:

• Veteran Points: 0 - 15 points
• Detroit Residency Credit: 15 point

EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
The City of Detroit offers a competitive and comprehensive employee benefit package. We pride ourselves on the longevity of our employees. Part of the reason for the low turnover rate is the exceptional benefit package listed below. Benefits include, but are not limited to the following:

HEALTH

• Medical - Eligible for hospital, surgical, and prescription drug benefits.
• Dental
• Vision

INSURANCE

• Life Insurance - Optional group insurance available to employee and their family. The City pays 60% of premium for first $12,500 of employee life insurance. Employee may purchase, at own expense, life insurance for spouse and each dependent.
• Long-Term Disability Insurance (Income Protection Plan) - The City offers disability insurance through payroll deductions for persons who become disabled and who are not yet eligible for a service retirement.

PAID TIME OFF

• Sick Leave
• Vacation
• Holidays

OTHER LEAVE BENEFITS
The City also has the following paid and unpaid leaves; funeral leave, Family and Medical Leave, jury duty, military duty leave, unpaid personal leave,

RETIREMENT BENEFITS
City Employees Retirement System
As a regular City employee you automatically become a member of the General Retirement System. This entitles you to a retirement allowance after:
• Completion of thirty (30) years of service;
- At age sixty (60) if you have at least ten (10) years of service, or

- At age sixty-five (65) with eight (8) years of service.
• In the event of disability, other eligibility rules apply);
- An early, actuarially reduced, retirement is offered after you have attained at least twenty-five (25) years of service;
• Employees are vested after ten (10) years of service, regardless of age.

ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES - Employees have many opportunities for growth and career advancement throughout all City departments and divisions.
01

Please indicate your highest level of education completed

• High School Diploma/GED
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• PhD/J.D.
• No Education experience

02

How many years of experience do you have in operations management?

• None
• 1-3
• 4-6
• 7 plus years

03

How many team members have you supervised?

• None
• 1-2
• 3-4
• 5 plus

Required Question