CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, SOM

School of Medicine

Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students, and more than 6,200 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Health Integrated Practice, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home Care and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University School of Medicine 

Position Summary: 

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the Department of Neurosurgery provides strategic, financial, operational, and administrative leadership in partnership with the Department Chair, Vice Chairs, and key institutional stakeholders. This executive-level role is responsible for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of administrative functions across the department’s missions of clinical care, research, education, and outreach. The CAO ensures alignment with institutional priorities while also advancing the department’s goals for innovation, excellence, and growth within Duke University School of Medicine (SOM) and Duke University Health System (DUHS). 

This position works collaboratively with faculty and staff within the Department, as well as with senior leadership across the University, School of Medicine, and Health System. A key function role is to support the expansion and integration of neurosciences services into a new Neuroscience Service Line, including working closely with the Department of Neurology to enhance the academic, clinical, and research missions across Duke. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Financial Leadership & Strategic Planning :

· Collaborate with the Department Chair, Vice Chairs, and Director of Finance to lead financial planning and decision-making across all missions of the Department. 

· Develop a five-year strategic financial and clinical expansion plan and evaluate contingency options. 

· Lead all aspects of budget development, forecasting, and management in coordination with SOM, DUHS, and Duke Health Integrated Practice 

· Serve as the Department’s principal advisor on cost allocation, funds flow, and the financial sustainability of programs and initiatives. 

· Oversee the analysis of the financial impact of clinical, educational, and research programs. 

· Present financial information to a variety of stakeholders including department leadership, faculty, and managers. 

Analytic Decision Support & Data Strategy:

· Strengthen data capabilities across the Department to support strategic decision-making. 

· Develop performance metrics for Divisions, Vice Chairs, and faculty in alignment with institutional goals and incentive structures. 

· Partner with SOM and central data teams to implement shared dashboards, improve reporting, and standardize key administrative practices. 

· Lead the department’s reporting and business intelligence efforts, ensuring timely and actionable insights across missions. 

Resource Management & Operations:

· Lead resource planning related to staffing, space, facilities, and equipment across clinical, research, and administrative functions. 

· Oversee faculty and staff compensation planning, including annual bonuses and effort reporting. 

· Guide departmental policy development related to finance, compliance, space planning, and human resources. 

· Collaborate with central offices and hospital leadership on space management, emergency preparedness, and capital planning. 

· Navigate complex interdepartmental negotiations including faculty transfers and space/resource sharing. 

Organizational Leadership & Collaboration: 

· Build and lead a strong administrative team across finance, operations, HR, and analytics. 

· Cultivate a high-performing, collaborative departmental culture aligned with Duke’s values of excellence, equity, and innovation. 

· Serve as a mentor and leader for divisional administrators and participate in School-wide leadership development programs. 

· Engage actively with School of Medicine and national organizations such as the AAMC’s Group on Business Affairs and NERVES (Neurosurgery Executives’ Resource Value and Education Society) to identify and implement best practices in academic administration. 

· Act as a key partner in institutional planning processes, including funds flow, APT, risk assessment, and programmatic inpatient and outpatient growth. 

Neurosciences Services Development:

· In partnership with the Department Chair and SOM leadership, support the continued development of Duke’s neurosciences strategy. 

· Collaborate with the Department of Neurology to build integrated academic, clinical, and research programs that advance neuroscience excellence across Duke University Health System. 

· Help lead cross-departmental initiatives to promote clinical integration, shared infrastructure, and joint faculty development in our new Duke Neuroscience Service Line.

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, finance, accounting, or related field required. Master's degree in related field highly preferred.

Experience

Ten or more years of experience managing administration and financial operations, preferably in a healthcare or medical research related organization. Experience with financial control systems, grants and contracts management, information systems, and all financial aspects relating to complex academic medical research systems preferred.OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends onthe robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.