Executive Vice Dean for Administration and Finance

Job Summary:

The Executive Vice Dean (EVD) for Finance and Administration is the senior-most executive responsible for leading the organization's financial operations. This individual serves as a strategic partner to the senior leadership team. The position oversees the financial health of CU Medicine, the region's largest and most comprehensive multispecialty physician group practice. CU Medicine is an international authority and a leading academic medical and research institution. The position serves as the School of Medicine's chief financial and administrative executive, reporting directly to the Dean. The School of Medicine (SOM) is the largest school on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

The EVD provides strategic leadership for the SOM across financial planning, research administration, clinical enterprise finance, facilities and capital planning, IT, HR, compliance, risk management, investments, and operational services.

The EVD provides enterprise-wide financial leadership for CU Medicine translating complex revenue streams, clinical operations, and academic mission requirements into a fiscal strategy that ensures long-term organizational sustainability and positions the institution for continued growth across its clinical, research and educational enterprise.

The EVD partners with executive leadership of CU Anschutz, UCHealth, University of Colorado Hospital, Children's Hospital Colorado, National Jewish Hospital, Denver Health, and other key affiliates to advance the School's academic, clinical, research, and community missions.

Core Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership & Planning

- Serve as the senior administrative and fiscal executive in the SOM and for the CU Medicine Faculty Practice for financial matters, policy development, and program evaluation.

- Lead development and oversight of multi-year financial strategies aligned with School and Practice priorities, including scenario planning, sensitivity analyses, and contingency strategies.

- Direct long-range operating and capital planning processes; lead prioritization of investments (faculty hires, research infrastructure, facilities, IT).

- Oversee all fiscal affairs of the SOM and CU Medicine, including preparation and oversight of the operating budget, monitoring cash flow and expenditure plans, fund management, and grants and contracts management.

- Establish and monitor KPIs and financial dashboards to track margin, liquidity, sponsored program yield, clinical revenue performance, and return on investment for major initiatives.

- Advise the Dean and leadership on tuition, clinical revenue-sharing models, indirect cost recovery strategies, and financial implications of academic program decisions.

Budgeting, Accounting & Financial Operations

- Oversee School and CU Medicine annual and interim budgeting cycles, departmental budget development, real-time budget monitoring, reporting, forecasting, and adjustment adhering to Campus processes and University/Regent policies

- Organize the faculty salary negotiation process for the School and direct the preparation of the salary recommendation reports for the Dean and CU Anschutz Chancellor, review/approval prior to submission to CU President and Regents

- Optimize revenue cycle functions for compliance and with attention to patient experience for CU Medicine.

- Align with University and Campus policies to Implement and maintain strong internal controls, account reconciliations, and segregation of duties to safeguard School of Medicine assets.

- Oversee compensation model modernization/redesign, with an aim to improve centralization and standardization of budget reporting across all departments.

- Exert oversight over all financial and operational aspects within CU Medicine by providing direct oversight to the CFO and CEO of the organization.

Sponsored Programs & Research Administration

- In coordination with the Chancellor's leadership team including the Executive Vice Chancellor's office, provide enterprise oversight for School pre-award and post-award functions: proposal budgeting, compliance review, effort reporting, cost transfers, and financial reporting to sponsors.

- Monitor federal funding support for research, regulatory, and governmental changes, and quantify the impact on the School.

- Optimize indirect cost rate recovery, reconcile sponsored awards, and lead resolution of audit findings (sponsor and federal).

- Partner with grant managers, PIs, and central research administration to streamline processes, implement best practices, and improve sponsor relations.

Clinical Enterprise Finance & Contracting

- Partner with CU Medicine, UCHealth, University of Colorado Hospital, Children's Hospital Colorado, National Jewish Hospital, Denver Health, Veterans Administration Hospital and other key affiliates to align financial models for clinical services, faculty compensation plans, and joint ventures.

- Lead analysis and negotiation support for clinical contracts, reimbursement arrangements, value-based payment models, and practice plan financial agreements.

Facilities, Capital Projects & Space Management

- Collaborate with campus on SOM capital planning and project prioritization. Participate in broader campus facility and capital projects. Oversight of School of Medicine projects for spaces requiring renovation and construction in direct partnership with campus facilities and institutional planning offices.

- Oversee space allocation policies, lease negotiations, facilities, operations budgeting, and coordination with campus facilities, controller and safety teams for SOM space.

- Ensure capital projects comply with university procurement, contracting, and state regulatory requirements.

Information Technology & Business Systems

- Ensure reliable financial reporting infrastructure, data security, role-based access, and user training to support decentralized units.

Human Resources & Organizational Effectiveness

- Support administrative HR strategy for finance and operations units: workforce planning, talent acquisition, performance management, succession planning, and compensation oversight for administrative roles adhering to University, Regent and campus policies

- Partner with Campus Central HR on faculty/staff hiring policies, labor relations where applicable, and training programs to build administrative capacity.

Risk Management, Compliance & Audit

- Lead enterprise risk assessments for financial, operational, and compliance exposures; design mitigation strategies and monitor implementation adhering to campus, CU and Regent policies

- Coordinate internal and external audits; ensure timely remediation of findings and compliance with federal, state, and sponsor regulations (e.g., OMB Uniform Guidance).

- Oversee privacy, information-security coordination with campus IT/security and FERPA/HIPAA compliance where applicable.

Governance, Policy & Shared Decision-Making

- Participate in senior governance forums, serve on committees (finance, compensation, effort, strategic hiring, investment/capital), and develop financial policies consistent with university and Regent policies.

- Support department chairs and center directors with financial policy interpretation, dispute resolution, and decision support.

Philanthropy, Endowments & Foundation Relations

- Collaborate with development officers on gift accounting, endowment spend policy, restricted fund management, and stewardship reporting.

- Provide financial due diligence for major gifts, scholarship funds, clinical chairs, and endowed positions.

Transformation, Continuous Improvement & Analytics

- Lead finance transformation initiatives: process reengineering, shared services optimization, automation (RPA), and deployment of analytics for decision support.

- Identify cost-saving and revenue-growth opportunities; develop business cases and lead implementation of approved initiatives.

Leadership, Relationship Management & Culture

- Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing administrative team; build a culture of service, transparency, accountability, and continuous learning.

- Operate effectively in a matrixed environment, influencing without direct authority, building consensus across departments, hospitals, campus units, and external partners.

- Serve as a trusted advisor to the Dean, Executive Vice Deans, and faculty, demonstrating high emotional intelligence, collaborative problem-solving, and excellent communication skills.

- Provide creative and thoughtful leadership for the development of funding, compensation, and resources allocation strategies and policies which enable and enhance the SOM's research, teaching, and clinical missions.

Work Location:

Onsite - this role is expected to work onsite and is located in Aurora, Colorado

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

- MBA required

- Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in finance and administration within academic health centers, medical schools, or comparable complex healthcare/academic organizations.

- Demonstrated experience managing finances and strategy for a school or unit of similar size and complexity (clinical, research, educational missions).

- Proven track record in budget development, long-range financial modeling, capital planning, and sponsored programs administration.

- Thorough knowledge of university and healthcare financial systems, federal research funding rules (e.g., OMB Uniform Guidance), clinical enterprise finance, and applicable regulations.

- Strong analytical skills and fluency with modern financial systems and business intelligence tools.

- Excellent interpersonal and communication ability

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

- CPA, FACHE and/or other relevant certifications.

- Experience with large, matrixed organizations and multiple reporting lines across academic and clinical settings.

- Prior engagement with philanthropic financial structures, endowment management, or foundation relationships.

- Experience in change management, enterprise system implementations, or major financial transformations.

- Strategic thinker with the ability to translate strategy into actionable financial plans and measurable outcomes.

- High emotional intelligence: empathy, self-awareness, resilience, and the ability to foster trust and collaboration across diverse constituencies.

- Skilled communicator and negotiator, comfortable presenting complex financial information to varied audiences (faculty, clinical leaders, trustees, government/regulatory bodies).

- Proven ability to lead in a matrixed environment-influencing without direct authority, building consensus, and managing cross-functional priorities.

- Results-oriented, decisive, and accountable, with a commitment to shared governance and academic values.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

- Understanding of academic medicine, medical school priorities, healthcare policy, and the healthcare delivery environment.

- Strategic and operational leadership with the ability to balance immediate needs while developing and implementing long-term solutions.

- Proven ability to lead complex initiatives, drive organizational improvement, and execute results in a dynamic environment.

- Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and change management skills, with a proactive and solutions-oriented mindset.

- Resilience and adaptability, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, navigate ambiguity, and perform effectively under pressure.

- Exceptional relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills, fostering trust, collaboration, and accountability across diverse constituencies.

- Effective communicator and presenter with demonstrated ability to facilitate transparent, timely, and impactful communication.

- Collaborative leadership style with experience working successfully in highly matrixed and complex organizations.

- Ability to inspire, develop, mentor, and retain high-performing teams while promoting a positive and productive culture.

- Demonstrated ability to build credibility and influence among senior leaders, faculty, physicians, administrators, and external stakeholders.

- Commitment to transparency, service excellence, and continuous improvement in support of organizational goals and mission.

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position

2. Curriculum vitae / Resume

3. Three to five professional references, including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address

Spencer Stuart is assisting The University of Colorado Anschutz in this search. Questions or application materials should be submitted to Spencer Stuart through Shannon Yeatman, Syeatman@spencerstuart.com.

Screening of Applications Begins:

Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified, but preference will be given to complete applications received by July 24, 2026. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as $750,000 - $1,000,000.

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@cuanschutz.edu.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.