Make a difference in people’s lives every day. When you join UCLA Health, you’ll be working at an institution that provides leading-edge care to the people of L.A. and throughout the world. We provide our team members with the environment and support to do amazing work, because each and every one of them plays a vital role in our commitment to care.
Are you an accomplished administrative executive ready to make a transformative impact at one of the nation’s premier academic medical centers? The David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) at UCLA invites a dynamic, strategic, and collaborative leader to serve as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the Departments of Pediatrics and Family Medicine.
This is an exceptional opportunity to lead the business and administrative operations of two complex, research-intensive academic departments while advancing the School’s four core missions: Education, Research, Clinical Care, and Community Engagement.
About the Departments
The Departments of Pediatrics and Family Medicine are integral to UCLA’s commitment to excellence in academic medicine, delivering innovative patient care, advancing groundbreaking research, educating the next generation of healthcare professionals, and serving our communities.
Together, these departments represent a substantial and diverse academic enterprise, with:
• More than $205 million in combined annual budgets, including approximately $78 million in sponsored project revenue.
• 413 faculty members engaged in clinical care, research, education, and community service.
• 213 residents and fellows participating in clinical and research training.
• 324 staff and non-faculty academics supporting the departments’ missions.
The departments share key administrative functions, including finance, human resources, academic personnel, purchasing, and medical education, creating opportunities for operational excellence, strategic alignment, and collaboration.
The Role
As Chief Administrative Officer, you will provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for the administrative and business operations of both departments. Working collaboratively with departmental and School leadership, you will play a pivotal role in positioning faculty, staff, and programs for continued success.
In this role, you will:
• Drive strategic and operational excellence by leading complex administrative functions and aligning resources with departmental and institutional priorities.
• Provide executive financial leadership, overseeing financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, analysis, and decision support for a combined enterprise exceeding $205 million annually.
• Lead and develop high-performing teams across finance, human resources, academic personnel, purchasing, medical education, and other administrative functions.
• Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to departmental leadership, providing thoughtful analysis, executive-level recommendations, and sound business solutions.
• Champion organizational effectiveness and change management, identifying opportunities to strengthen operations, improve processes, and support sustainable growth.
• Build collaborative partnerships across a highly matrixed academic medical environment, fostering collegial decision-making and alignment among diverse stakeholders.
• Promote a culture of integrity, accountability, and excellence, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources, operational compliance, and effective risk management.
We are seeking an accomplished and forward-thinking executive with:
• A master’s degree in Business Administration, Health Care Administration, Public Health, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• At least seven years of progressively responsible management experience, including financial management and budget development, and five years of supervisory experience, with at least three years serving as a senior leader of a large clinical department or service line.
• Demonstrated success in strategic leadership, organizational planning, and change management within a complex, highly matrixed environment, preferably in a research-intensive medical school or health system.
• Advanced expertise in financial planning, analysis, and executive decision support within academic healthcare, research, or higher education.
• Exceptional interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills, with the diplomacy and influence needed to build consensus and achieve results across diverse constituencies.
• Strong analytical judgment and the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, actionable executive recommendations.
• A proven commitment to integrity, transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership.
• A collaborative and decisive leadership style grounded in active listening, credibility, sound judgment, and respect for differing perspectives.
• Strong knowledge of industry standards, emerging trends, and regulatory requirements affecting academic medicine and healthcare administration.
At UCLA, you will join a community of distinguished faculty, dedicated professionals, and innovative leaders committed to transforming healthcare and advancing academic medicine.
As CAO, you will have the opportunity to:
• Shape the future of two essential academic departments, supporting their continued growth, innovation, and national impact.
• Influence strategic decisions that directly advance groundbreaking research, outstanding patient care, exceptional education, and meaningful community engagement.
• Lead a significant and multifaceted enterprise, developing administrative strategies and operational solutions that enable faculty and staff to thrive.
• Build and inspire collaborative teams, strengthening partnerships and creating an environment of trust, accountability, and continuous improvement.
This is more than an administrative leadership position—it is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on two vital departments and help advance the mission of one of the nation’s leading academic medical schools.
Ready to Make an Impact?
Join UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine and help shape the future of Pediatrics and Family Medicine. Bring your strategic vision, operational expertise, and passion for academic medicine to a leadership role where your contributions will make a meaningful difference.
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