Chief Administrative Officer, Medical Physics

University of Wisconsin Madison•Madison, WI

17h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Medical Physics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is seeking a Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to join its leadership team. Reporting directly to the Department Chair, the CAO provides executive leadership and operational oversight for the department’s research, education, clinical support, and service missions, and directly supervises a team of six administrative staff. The CAO leads strategic planning, financial management, operational administration, and organizational development. Areas of oversight include 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 infrastructure needed to support the department’s work. The department is internationally recognized in imaging science, radiation sciences, artificial intelligence, theranostics, and translational research. It supports federally funded, industry-sponsored, and foundation-supported programs; 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. The CAO represents the department and coordinates activities with university, health system, foundation, industry, hospital, and government partners, whose administrative structures and requirements may differ. The position may require some work onsite at a designated campus location, with some work potentially performed remotely. The starting salary is $140,000 annually and is negotiable based on experience and qualifications. A bachelor’s degree is required; a relevant master’s degree is preferred.

Requirements

At least five years of administrative leadership experience with significant accomplishments.
Demonstrated experience managing complex budgets and multiple funding sources.
Experience working in higher education, academic medicine, or scientific research administration.
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.
Must be continuously eligible to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Business Administration, Health Administration, Public Administration, Higher Education Administration, or a closely related field.
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.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and administrative oversight of basic and translational research programs, including staffing, compliance, fiscal, IT, and facility needs.
Develop and administer budgets, and oversee financial operations involving grants, contracts, and other funds in accordance with applicable accounting practices and rules.
Lead the development and implementation of data analytics, reporting, and business intelligence systems for operational management, financial oversight, program assessment, and strategic decision-making.
Lead faculty recruitment, evaluation, development, and promotion processes.
Oversee office and research space on and off campus, department information systems, and regional network development.
Direct department communications and marketing, and support philanthropic activities, including engaging with potential donors.
Exercise supervisory authority over employees, including hiring, performance management, discipline, work assignments, and approval of hours worked.
Coordinate administrative activities across affiliated university, health system, foundation, and external partner organizations.
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 the department’s research, teaching, and service programs and staff to support effective 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.