Chief Administrative Officer, Medical Physics

Universities of Wisconsin•Madison, WI

17h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Medical Physics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison seeks a Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to provide executive leadership and operational oversight for its research, education, clinical support, and service missions. Reporting directly to the Department Chair, the CAO leads strategic planning, financial management, operational administration, and organizational development, and directly supervises a team of six administrative staff. The department is internationally recognized for work in imaging science, radiation sciences, artificial intelligence, theranostics, and translational research. It supports federally funded, industry-sponsored, and foundation-supported research; the nation's largest CAMPEP-accredited graduate program in medical physics; a CAMPEP-accredited Imaging Physics Residency Program; and fee-for-service scientific and clinical support operations, including the Accredited Dosimetry and Calibration Laboratory, Cyclotron Facility, and Radiological Physics Services. The CAO directs financial planning and administration and oversees human resources, faculty affairs, sponsored research administration, facilities, information technology, communications, philanthropy, and administrative operations. The role ensures compliance with university, sponsor, and regulatory requirements and maintains the operational infrastructure needed to support departmental missions. The CAO also represents the department in relationships with clinical departments, UW Health, the University of Wisconsin Medical Foundation, the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, external hospitals, industry sponsors, government agencies, and other partners. The position may require some onsite work at a designated campus location, with some work permitted remotely at an offsite, non-campus location. The position is ongoing and requires continuous eligibility to work in the United States; university sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

At least five years of administrative leadership experience with a record of significant accomplishments.
Demonstrated experience managing complex budgets and multiple funding sources.
Demonstrated experience working in higher education, academic medicine, or scientific research administration.
Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience, including staff development, organizational management, and change leadership.
Strong analytical, financial, operational, organizational, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Demonstrated success working in complex, matrixed organizations with diverse stakeholder groups.
Bachelor’s degree required.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing within an academic medical center, integrated academic health system, or clinical department, including collaboration with clinical departments.
Experience supporting research-intensive academic departments, centers, institutes, or sponsored research programs.
Experience managing complex financial operations involving federal grants, sponsored research, fee-for-service operations, gifts, and endowments.
Master’s degree in Business Administration, Health Administration, Public Administration, Higher Education Administration, or a closely related field.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and administrative oversight for basic and translational research programs, including staffing, compliance, fiscal, information technology, and facility needs.
Develop and administer budgets; oversee grants, contracts, and other funds in accordance with accounting practices and applicable federal, state, university, and sponsor rules.
Develop and implement departmental data analytics, reporting, and business intelligence systems to support management, financial oversight, program assessment, and strategic decisions.
Lead faculty recruitment, evaluation, development, and promotion processes.
Oversee on- and off-campus office and research space, department information systems, and regional network development.
Communicate and market departmental activities and accomplishments, lead philanthropic activities, and meet with and engage potential donors.
Exercise supervisory authority over employees, including hiring, performance and conduct management, work assignment, discipline, and approval of hours worked.
Coordinate administrative leadership across affiliated organizations to support departmental research, education, service, and strategic objectives.
Oversee departmental fee-for-service, core facility, and specialized service operations, including business planning, financial management, regulatory compliance, and operational support.
Lead strategic and short-term planning and obtain and validate data for strategic decision-making.
Guide and manage departmental research, teaching, and service programs and staff to ensure effective and efficient operations.
Lead the development, negotiation, implementation, and administration of contracts, affiliation agreements, memoranda of understanding, and other inter-organizational agreements.
Provide leadership and oversight of training programs.