Executive Administrator

The Executive Director, Finance and Administration serves as the department's Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer responsible for leading a complex academic research and clinical environment. The Executive Director reports directly to the department chair with a matrixed relationship to the Vice Dean of Finance and Administration.  This position is the key administrative leader for the departments in support of the Chairs and Faculty, and is required to effectively utilize resources to accomplish the department's overall objectives in research and education.

Responsibilities:

• Plan and direct broad and complex financial and management functions in support of teaching, research and clinical missions aligned with departmental and divisional goals
• Oversight and responsibility for the department's strategic plan, clinical practice operations, budget development and finances, research administration, human resource and academic affairs management, space and facilities administration, information technology management, risk management, faculty support and overall departmental management activities
• Work with his/her Chairman, BSD and UCM leadership to develop, plan and promote initiatives supporting the tripartite mission
• In partnership with leadership, interact and negotiate with key stakeholders to maintain status as a leading academic research and medical center
• Provide guidance, information, advice, and counsel to faculty and staff concerning administrative initiatives associated with teaching, research, and clinical activities
• Balance departmental and institutional priorities and be a visible, engaged and communicative leader representing the University of Chicago

Competencies:

• Leadership
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Problem-Solving
• Organization

Additional Requirements​​

Education, Experience and Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree with emphasis in finance, business, health care, or relevant field required
• Master’s degree with emphasis in finance, business, health care, or relevant field preferred
• Five years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience in financial planning, management, analysis, forecasting, modeling, or administration required
• Ten years of progressively responsible experience within a complex, healthcare environment preferred
• Five years of supervisory experience required
• Directly related financial and budget development experience in a complex environment required.
• Experience working in a fiscally responsible, highly regulated business setting that regularly employs benchmarking required
• Exceptional communication and listening skills, ability to communicate comfortably with healthcare professionals locally and internationally, board and committee members, academic and healthcare professionals; ability to communicate comfortably with faculty, staff, students, and officials at the highest level of the organization
• Highly effective in verbal and written communication skills, including formulating recommendations and developing presentations
• Highly ethical and professional manner with the ability to influence and lead others
• Ability to manage in an efficient, dynamic and growth oriented manner by fostering a continuous learning mentality that is applied to the overall department in alignment with the organizational commitment to excellence
• Serve as an inspirational, persuasive and agile leader with a track record of success in transformation and measurable outcomes
• Track record of success in focusing on strategic objectives and translating the priorities into successful short and long term results for the organization
• Demonstrated success in supporting medical research with the ability to effectively identify opportunities for improvement in support functions
• Proven track record as a strategic leader with specific experience implementing value added business initiatives
• Demonstrated effectiveness applying a keen business intellect to problem solving in an environment notable for complexity with multiple business partners and multiple missions
• Proven financial management skills, including the ability to analyze data for budgeting, operations, auditing, and accounts receivable and reserve analysis, preform preparation
• Critical thinker, one who understands the underlying financial and operational drivers within a research environment, applying business best practices where appropriate, and developing creative alternative strategies as needed
• Excellent mathematical and analytical skills with a focus on synthesizing and extracting trends from multiple incongruent sources
• Demonstrated capacity to learn new technologies, interacts professionally with members at all levels of the organization, and provides superlative customer service to the faculty, students, staff, and patients served throughout the organization