The Department of Neurology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis seeks an experienced business professional lead its administrative and business affairs. The department is an internationally recognized leader in clinical care, education, and research. Building on a long-standing tradition of excellence, the department’s mission is to improve patients’ lives by translating scientific discovery from the bench to the bedside while training the next generation of neurologists and neuroscientists. Faculty provide comprehensive, team-based care for patients of all ages through close partnerships with Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital, while education and training are supported by state-of-the-art facilities and robust residency, fellowship, and graduate programs. The department’s research spans basic, translational, and clinical investigation, supported by extensive laboratory and research center infrastructure, including the Hope Center for Neurological Disorders and the Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center, and is characterized by strong cross-disciplinary collaboration across WashU Medicine

Position Overview

The Executive Director manages and directs strategic business and long-range departmental planning activities for the Department of Neurology. The role works closely with the Department Chair and management team to identify the future direction for departmental growth and services and to develop action and business plans to achieve established goals. The Executive Director leads a strategic planning process to define the department’s strategic direction, identify the administrative and structural changes necessary to support this direction, and develop strategies to achieve departmental objectives in a cost-neutral manner.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

The Executive Director, Business Affairs:

• Directs departmental planning efforts and shapes decision-making by:
  • Presenting information regarding national trends in Neurology services and business models.
  • Performing feasibility studies, cost and revenue analyses, and business projections of departmental growth, revenues, patient service levels, etc.
  • Developing and maintaining financial forecasting models to support the long-range planning needs of the department.
  • Defining appropriate staffing and organizational structures needed to carry out departmental activities.
  • Identifying future business opportunities and approving contractual arrangements.
  • Ensuring that decisions made consider all relevant School, University, Federal, State, Local, agency, and Hospital/Clinic compliance requirements.
• Manages departmental marketing and business development efforts.
• Leads the Department of Neurology planning to expand offcampus comprehensive Neurology services.
• Develops a comprehensive, multi-year business plan which:
  • Includes a multi-year financial forecast based on department objectives.
  • Consider and addresses the financial impacts of new initiatives as well as those associated with internal and external trends and changing regulations (e.g., reimbursement changes and grant opportunities).
  • Ensures long-term, fundamental financial stability and growth of the department.
  • Integrates well with the strategic planning objectives of the department’s clinical partners, e.g. BJC Health.
• Recommends and develops strategies for general cost control and reductions, revenue enhancements, to include strategies for clinical cost accounting and productivity reporting/review.
• Reviews & set professional fees in consultation with the Department Chair, Vice Chairs and Division Directors.
• Provides a strong, sound infrastructure to support the faculty and tripartite mission of the department and the School of Medicine. Ensures that staff organizational structures meet the needs of the department; evaluates office functions and streamlines administrative processes.
• Develops and trains administrative staff to ensure they complete their jobs in an efficient, effective and timely manner.
• Facilitates preparation of annual budget, staff salary planning, annual payroll, financial and strategic plans by advising divisions regarding information needed by the department to present a complete budget package to the School of Medicine.
• Facilitates compliance with Governmental agencies, University, Medical School and Department mandatory training programs.
• Monitors activities, trains and mentors Clinical, Research and Support Administrators to ensure support and assistance as necessary for them to manage the clinical, research and administrative operations, finances and personal issues within their areas.
• Monitors department salary administration.
• Manages the department’s billing function; oversees operations, finances, personnel issues, computer applications and management of coding and billing supervisors.
• Evaluates and communicates all new and revised policies and procedures to the appropriate administrative staff, ensuring compliance while maintaining operating efficiency and effectiveness.
• Is responsive to the needs of faculty, staff and patients and ensures quality service is provided to all.
• Plans future utilization of existing departmental facilities and recommends allocation and use of new and remodeled space or service locations. Monitors change to existing facilities, manage departmental research and service facilities, review and analyzes requests for space and recommend distribution of space for research and academic programs to Chair. Assesses financial impact, cost benefits, tradeoffs and long-range implications of space decisions.
• Provides guidance to the Chair on the recruitment and retention of faculty and key staff.
• Represents the Department/Medical School/University and participates as a member on various committees and activities on both a routine and ad hoc basis. Act as liaison for Department Chair with faculty, staff, Medical School/University Administration, various hospital administrators/staff, referring physicians, patients and families, vendors and other associates representing the department in a positive and professional manner.

Qualifications

Master’s degree in business or related field or equivalent experience required. At least 10 years of progressively responsible managerial experience to include strategic business planning, financial and programmatic feasibility studies, complex financial analysis and financial forecasting, and budget preparation preferably in an academic medical center or research environment. Thorough knowledge of university financial system is strongly desired.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability in strategic planning, financial and business forecasting, financial management, and budgeting.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations in a complex academic environment.
• Strong leadership, management and organizational skills, with emphasis on analytical thinking, negotiation, and conflict management skills.
• Ability to deal effectively with ambiguity, make quality decisions, set one’s own and others’ priorities, motivate staff, be flexible, and multi-task.
• Proven ability to define issues, strategically plan options, propose solutions, and effectively implement changes in a timely fashion in a complex environment.
• Knowledgeability in the field of Neurology and academic neurology operations and services is desirable.
• Ability to effectively integrate the department’s teaching, research and patient care mission with financial and administrative priorities is key.

To learn more about the position, please contact:

Mark Prosperi, MHA
Executive Director, Talent Acquisition
and Executive Search
prosperim@wustl.edu

To apply follow the link: Executive Director Business Affairs-Department of Neurology