UNIV - Vice Chair, Finance and Administration: Department of Medicine

Medical University of South Carolina•Charleston, SC

About The Position

The Vice Chair for Finance and Administration is the senior administrative member of the Department of Medicine Leadership Team and reports to the Department Chair. Serving as the department’s Chief Administrative Officer, this role is responsible for administrative, personnel, and financial matters. The Vice Chair collaborates with the Chair, Division Directors, other Vice Chairs, Division Administrators, and the Chair’s Office Administrative Management Team on strategic planning, clinical practice management, financial management, space management, program development, research administration, and other departmental administrative functions. The role has direct reports that include all Division Administrators, the Finance Administrator, Research Administrator, HR Manager, Communications Manager, Program Manager I, and Administrative Coordinator II. The Department of Medicine includes more than 350 faculty across 14 divisions, 180 APPs, 212 residents and fellows, 24 postdoctoral researchers, and 300 staff members, with an operating budget exceeding $250 million. The Vice Chair oversees departmental and divisional budgets and financial planning; personnel administration and faculty effort allocation; research grants, contracts, and clinical trial administration; education budgets and operational strategy; and clinical compensation, productivity, and practice operations. The role also supports the department’s strategic goals and ensures adherence to institutional policies, financial requirements, and compliance obligations.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration (MHA), Business Administration (MBA), Public Health (MPH), Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
At least 10 years of progressive management and leadership experience in healthcare administration, academic medicine, finance, operations, or physician practice management.
Demonstrated experience managing complex budgets, financial planning, and administrative operations within a healthcare organization.
Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and collaborating with physician leaders, faculty, and senior administrators.
Knowledge of academic medical center operations, including clinical, research, and educational missions.
Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic initiatives and operational improvements.
Excellent communication, leadership, and relationship-management skills.

Nice To Haves

The Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities section repeats the stated qualifications: at least 10 years of progressive management and leadership experience in healthcare administration, academic medicine, finance, operations, or physician practice management; experience managing complex healthcare budgets, financial planning, and administrative operations; experience leading multidisciplinary teams and collaborating with physician leaders, faculty, and senior administrators; knowledge of academic medical center operations; demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic initiatives and operational improvements; and excellent communication, leadership, and relationship-management skills.

Responsibilities

Administer and manage the Department of Medicine’s finances, including funds and activities involving MUSC (University), MUSCP (Practice Plan), MUSC Foundation, and the VA.
Oversee department and divisional budgets; develop and operationalize the financial allocation plan; and hold divisions accountable for fiduciary responsibilities.
Oversee budget, personnel, non-personnel transactions, and financial reconciliation through the Department Management Team and Division Administrators.
Represent the department and serve as its administrative and financial liaison with internal and external entities, committees, task forces, and consultants.
Ensure departmental compliance across clinical, research, and administrative functions.
Lead program development and business planning, including growth forecasts, strategic business initiatives, faculty manpower requirements, financial pro formas, and operational strategies.
Work with Department Vice Chairs on strategic goals, planning, and activities.
Develop and implement faculty and divisional start-up packages and commitments.
Oversee departmental facilities and space management, including construction, renovation, and repair needs, and ensure compliance with physical-resource policies and procedures.
Manage revenue and expense reporting, monitor expenditures, prepare forecasts, identify financial issues, recommend solutions, and report and address budget variances.
Support decision-making with trend information, feasibility studies, cost and revenue analyses and projections, and assessments of staffing, space, facilities, and administrative structure.
Manage the Department Chair’s Office Management Team and Division Administrators.
Manage department personnel activities and serve as liaison with the College of Medicine Dean’s Office, University, VA, and MUSCP HR.
Provide executive oversight of faculty effort allocation to align responsibilities with strategic priorities, equity, financial sustainability, and institutional compliance across clinical, research, education, and administrative missions.
Review and approve staff and faculty job-posting requests and ensure institutional and departmental HR policies are followed and funding is available for proposed hires.
Review and approve faculty offer letters before College of Medicine approval, ensuring salaries, duties, and financial commitments are realistic and fundable.
Work with the Chair, Division Directors, and Division Administrators on faculty recruitment and hiring.
Develop, analyze, review, and approve faculty contracts annually.
Coordinate annual personnel evaluations for the Chair’s Office Management Team, support staff, and Division Administrators.
Lead team reviews and recommendations related to employee engagement and implement action plans as needed.
Oversee publication of the Department of Medicine newsletter and annual report.
Coordinate departmental development efforts with the enterprise Institutional Advancement office and ensure proper use of MUSC Foundation funds supporting the department’s mission.
Assist the Chair and Vice Chair for Research in achieving departmental strategic research goals.
Oversee departmental and divisional grants and contracts administration, including infrastructure for pre-award, post-award, and clinical trial management in coordination with institutional research administration offices.
Ensure adherence to institutional research policies and procedures; monitor research-related financial activities for compliance and prepare required reports.
Provide oversight and administrative direction for grant management and clinical research compliance in coordination with the Office of Sponsored Projects and Grants and Contracts Accounting.
Coordinate clinical-trial processes with University, MUSCP, and MUHA compliance offices.
Develop the financial and operational strategy supporting departmental educational priorities.
Partner with the Residency Program Director, Medical Clerkship Directors, Division Chiefs, and institutional education leaders to align educational initiatives with departmental strategic goals.
Develop and oversee the annual education budget, including educational funds, GME support, philanthropy, grants, and discretionary resources.
Evaluate the financial sustainability of educational programs and recommend resource-allocation priorities.
Collaborate on faculty effort allocation for teaching and ensure efficient administrative support for educational programs.
Develop and implement the Department and Divisions’ Clinical Compensation Practice Plan in alignment with College of Medicine guidance and update it annually.
Analyze and report clinical practice data; assess clinical faculty and APP productivity with Division leaders.
Meet regularly with MUSCP revenue-cycle teams regarding departmental performance and issues.
Ensure clinical providers and staff meet compliance and regulatory requirements and that new providers are enrolled with payors in a timely manner.
Work with Hospital Administration and ICCE leaders on clinical service operations and quality.
Maximize divisional clinical revenues and business practices.