Associate Director of Executive Operations & Initiatives

About the role

The Associate Director of Executive Operations & Initiatives serves as a key member of the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine (SFESOM) Dean’s Office, reporting directly to the Chief of Staff. The Associate Director provides strategic project leadership and operational coordination to advance high‑priority initiatives across SFESOM and, in partnership with the Chief of Staff, selected University of Utah Health priorities. In support of the Dean’s roles as both Dean of SFESOM and Chief Academic Physician of UUH, the Associate Director leads complex, cross‑functional initiatives and partners with faculty, department chairs and leaders, administrative leaders, and institutional stakeholders to translate priorities into actionable plans and effective execution. Working with a high degree of autonomy, the Associate Director advances the Dean’s priorities by coordinating stakeholders, tracking deliverables, identifying risks and dependencies, and ensuring follow‑through across multiple concurrent initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Executive Initiative Leadership & Execution: Lead the planning and execution of high‑priority initiatives sponsored by the Dean or Chief of Staff, from concept through implementation. Translate executive priorities into actionable plans with clear objectives, deliverables, timelines, milestones, and accountability. Monitor progress, identify risks and dependencies, and proactively develop solutions to maintain momentum and achieve desired outcomes. Provide high‑level, confidential support on sensitive and complex initiatives.
• Project Management & Executive Communication: Manage multiple concurrent initiatives, maintaining project plans, trackers, dashboards, and reporting tools to ensure accountability and follow‑through. Develop executive‑ready presentations, briefings, status updates, and decision materials. Synthesize complex information and provide clear, concise recommendations and insights to support executive decision‑making. Prepare leadership for key meetings and discussions by coordinating relevant information, decisions, and follow‑up.
• Cross‑Functional Coordination & Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as a central point of coordination across faculty, department chairs and leaders, administrative leaders, and institutional partners. Build alignment and influence outcomes through strong relationships, communication, and collaboration across academic, clinical, research, and administrative functions. Facilitate meetings and working sessions, ensuring clear decisions, ownership, and next steps.
• Operations & Strategic Support: Maintain an integrated view of active Dean priorities, initiatives, milestones, and emerging issues. Support the development and coordination of governance structures, committees, and working groups related to strategic initiatives. Identify opportunities to improve processes, communication, and execution within the Dean’s team. Support emerging priorities and special projects requiring rapid assessment, coordination, and execution.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education & Experience: Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) plus 10 years of directly related work experience, or a master’s (or equivalency) plus 8 years of directly related work experience. One year of higher‑education experience may be substituted for one year of directly related work experience.
• Skills & Abilities: Demonstrated experience leading or coordinating complex, cross‑functional projects or strategic initiatives; strong project and program management skills; leadership and supervisory abilities; ability to develop and manage project plans, timelines, budgets, resources, and deliverables; exceptional organizational and prioritization skills; strong executive communication skills; ability to synthesize complex information and provide clear recommendations; ability to work effectively with senior faculty, physicians, administrators, and other leaders; influence without formal authority; strong judgment and discretion with confidential matters; ability to operate in ambiguous, rapidly changing environments; balance detail‑orientation with strategic perspective; initiative, resourcefulness, and independent drive; high professionalism and executive presence; proficiency with project management, presentation, reporting, and productivity tools.

Preferences

• Preferred master’s degree (MBA, MHA, MPH, or related field) or equivalent experience.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent project management training.
• Experience working in an academic medical center, health system, university, or similarly complex organization.
• Experience working directly with executive leadership.

Work Schedule

Full‑time, Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm.

Pay

Salary range: $95,000 – $125,000.

Requisition Number: PRN46206B.