Chief Administrative Officer – Eye Center

This position reports administratively to the Executive Assistant Dean while serving as the Eye Center Department Chair’s primary strategic and operational partner. Within the School of Medicine’s matrix management structure, the CAO is responsible for day-to-day leadership of the departmental administrative operations while maintaining accountability to the EAD and SOM leadership.

About the Role

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) has responsibility for the School of Medicine academic department, including financial oversight of all departmental operations. This role oversees the balancing of financial requirements to meet the common goals of the School of Medicine and the UCD Health System. The CAO acts on behalf of the Chair on all issues except those related to patient care (which must be directed by a physician).

This position has jurisdiction over academic and staff personnel, with direct jurisdiction over all staff personnel and indirect jurisdiction over academic personnel. It supports administrative functions for 29 full-time faculty (19 clinical and 10 research) and 4 clinical fellows, as well as the Program Directors for residency training, which includes 16 residents.

All outpatient services are provided by faculty and residents at four sites: the Ophthalmology clinic at the Ernest E. Tschannen Eye Institute, 48X, CPG sites in Roseville, Folsom, and Davis, and telemedicine outreach programs. Patient visits for FY 25-26 are projected at 55,000+, making the Eye Center the second-largest outpatient clinic in both visits and outpatient revenue, after Internal Medicine and Radiology.

The CAO oversees the administration of funds from a wide variety of sources, including state funds, clinical income, gifts, and private and government grants and contracts.

Responsibilities

• 50% Finance: Manage departmental finances, including budgeting, financial analysis, forecasting, and resource allocation.
• 25% Human Resources: Lead HR functions, including organizational design, workforce planning, employee relations, and performance management. Supervise managers and multidisciplinary administrative teams.
• 20% Strategic Leadership and Chair Partnership: Partner with executive or physician leadership to achieve strategic and operational objectives.
• 5% Additional responsibilities: Identify operational inefficiencies and implement sustainable solutions. Build accountability and foster high-performing teams. Influence and collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and institutional leaders.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, healthcare administration, public administration, or related field, or equivalent experience/training.
• Progressive leadership experience in financial and administrative management within a complex academic, healthcare, or research environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing departmental finances, including budgeting, financial analysis, forecasting, and resource allocation.
• Experience leading human resources functions, including organizational design, workforce planning, employee relations, and performance management.
• Experience supervising managers and leading multidisciplinary administrative teams.
• Demonstrated experience partnering with executive or physician leadership to achieve strategic and operational objectives.
• Knowledge of advanced financial principles in an academic setting, preferably within the University of California system.
• Knowledge of HR principles for both staff and academic employees, preferably within the University of California system.
• Ability to successfully receive and prioritize competing priorities in a fast-paced, complex environment.
• Ability to exercise discretion and sound judgment in all matters relating to Department and University business.
• Demonstrated leadership, communication, and change management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA, MPA, MHA, MPH, or related advanced degree.
• Experience in academic medicine, preferably within a research-intensive academic health system.
• Experience leading operational improvement, financial recovery, or organizational change initiatives.
• Experience with faculty affairs, graduate medical education, sponsored research administration, and clinical practice operations.
• Experience within the University of California or another large academic health system.

Department Overview

The Eye Center’s goals and objectives are to achieve excellence in patient care, teaching, and research for the prevention and treatment of blinding eye disease. Patient care receives the highest priority, with the best possible service in all areas of ophthalmological care. The department facilitates teaching for residents, medical students, and postgraduate continuing medical education. Ph.D. and M.D. researchers collaborate on mutual research efforts to advance knowledge in the treatment and prevention of blinding eye disease, all within an optimal working environment for employees.

Pay

$146,500.00 - $302,100.00 annually, paid monthly.

Schedule

Full-time (100%), Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This position is hybrid (mix of on-site and remote work).

Benefits

• High-quality, low-cost medical plans for you and your family.
• UC pays for dental and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Retirement plans for eligible employees, including Pension and other Retirement Savings Plans.
• Supplemental insurance, including additional life, short/long-term disability, pet insurance, legal coverage, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity.
• Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave, Adoption Assistance, and Pay for Family Care and Bonding for eligible employees.
• Lactation Support Program and family care discounts and resources.
• On-site Employee Assistance Program, including free mental health services.
• Generous paid holidays, vacation, and sick time as outlined in UC policies or collective bargaining agreements.
• Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Staff Education Reimbursement Program for eligible employees.
• Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer and Student Loan Debt Counseling Program for eligible employees.

Physical and Mental Demands

• Standing: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Walking: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Sitting: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Lifting/Carrying (0-25 lbs): Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Pushing/Pulling (0-25 lbs): Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Bending/Stooping: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Squatting/Kneeling: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Twisting: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Reaching overhead: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Sustained attention and concentration: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Complex problem solving/reasoning: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Ability to organize & prioritize: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Communication skills: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Numerical skills: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Constant interaction: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Customer/Patient Contact: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Multiple concurrent tasks: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.

This position is designated as a mandated reporter under CANRA and UC policy. Employment is contingent on compliance with applicable policies, procedures, and training requirements. This is a critical position; employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check, which may include drug screening, medical evaluation clearance, and functional capacity assessment.