Associate Chief Operating Officer, Pharmacy Services

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experiences that directly relate to this position.
Works closely with UM Health and Pharmacy leadership to identify and deploy strategic, financial, and operational priorities across the health system enterprise. Support Chief Operating Officer, Chief Pharmacy Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, Chief Financial Officer and others in establishing, monitoring, and implementing annual UMHS goals & priorities. Serves as the executive-level administrative leader providing operational oversight for the new UM Health location in Dexter: Directs and leads multiple complex workstreams & optimization of automation, including large scale facility, IT, program development, logistics and patient service initiatives. Leads a team of direct and indirect reports to conduct key pharmacy business functions: Specialty Pharmacy Operations - executive leader overseeing the delivery of pharmacy care to patients via mail order. Leads the growing Specialty Pharmacy Services team (approximately 110 FTE including pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, supply chain experts & patient financial counselors) who obtain prior authorizations for high-cost drugs and dispense to patients. Develops and deploys tactics to ensure lowest out of pocket cost for patients, high and market competitive patient satisfaction, efficiency/scalability of business operations, and partnership with physicians/nursing for collaboration on patient prescription capture and optimization of clinic workflow. Maintains relationships with external partners including PBMs, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, Government Relations, and University of Michigan Drug Plan to secure UM Health?s financial position in these relationships. Serves as an executive sponsor of key vendors including our Drug Wholesaler, external 340B Claims & Audit partners, legislative and regulatory players in pharmacy. Pharmacy Finance & Analytics - lead team of analysts and finance experts who create dashboards and management metrics; forecast annual performance and budget targets; raise for awareness material variances or drivers of performance; conduct dashboard and other mid-month or month end reports; seek opportunities for improved reimbursement and charge capture for clinical care; and respond to key performance indicator questions from the Chief Pharmacy Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Controller or health system Chief Financial Officer, segment triads and Associate Chief Financial Officers, or other leaders as needed. Provide input to Controller?s Office regarding staff planning and resource needs. Monitor and interpret financial results, identifying opportunities for improved performance.  Accountable for building and managing Pharmacy?s annual budget, including activity forecasts and strategic growth projections. Oversee month end close activities, variance reporting, and communicating major financial implications of pharmacy performance on health systemwide performance. Pharmacy includes over 40 cost centers, expenses exceeding $900M, and gross charges of $1.8B in FY23. Coordinate communication amongst various parties at leadership levels to explain complex sets of data. Standardize fiscal processes to drive improved financial performance and adhere to University SPG?s/internal controls. 340B Program Administration - works closely with central Finance to manage a fully compliant 340B program including purchasing, external and internal audits, engagement of key stakeholders across the organization as a program oversight committee, including the management of a team whose role is to ensure integrity and optimization of the 340B ESP claims process infrastructure. Lead and execute internal and external audits, creating communication pathways between invested stakeholders including the 340B Oversight Committee. Department Administration, Payroll & HR - lead the team who provide daily administrative support, including admi nistrative assistance for leaders, support accurate Payroll submissions, HR transaction support, Department-wide employee engagement efforts, organize compliance with annual vaccination policy, license requirements, or other mandatories. Pharmacy Procurement - lead Pharmacy Buyer team, ensuring strategic planning for potential pharmacy shortages or limited distribution drug challenges are predicted and mitigated where possible. Seek to optimize savings on pharmaceutical purchases that will benefit our patients and organization. Regional Health System & Affiliate Relationship Management - develop and nurture ongoing relationships to leverage statewide health system economies of scale and subspecialty expertise across affiliate organizations providing world-class pharmacy care across the State of Michigan, supporting pharmacy clinical operations across the UM Regional Health System including UM Health West cand UM Health Sparrow. Develops and maintains strong relationships with Regional and Local hospital leaders to provide business function support. Inventory, Logistics & Warehouse Management - manage logistics of goods and services for pharmacy to ensure optimal use of space and high-level service standards for patient care areas. Responsible for negotiation, and relationship management for primary pharmaceutical supply Wholesaler, as well as proactively deploying tactics to mitigate drug shortage risk and curb potential negative impact to patient care. Partners to deploy plans in response to pharmaceutical supply chain and market variables to uphold quality patient care and fiscal sustainability. Joy Road facility is also being explored as a central distribution hub for pharmacies across the health care system, this leader will evaluate and develop strategic proposals for the space along with key stakeholders. Capital Asset Management & Landlord/Tenant Operations - oversee operations at new facility in Dexter, provide daily oversight of activities within that location including Pharmacy Department occupants, other occupants as the strategic use of space is further defined, including potential for revenue associated with subleases, and partnering with health care system stakeholders (such as facilities) who have a role in upkeep and operation of this 140k sq ft facility. Payer Contracting - leverage analytics from QS1, Epic, and other pharmacy data sources to map out plan for payer contracting, lead negotiations on behalf of UM Health System, and manage subsequent payer and employer relationships to optimize access for patients to our services. Vendor Partner/Supplier Contracting Negotiations and ongoing relationship management, ensuring successful RFP processes where appropriate, optimization and stewardship of related resources. Engage stakeholders and lead implementation of value and margin initiatives, including strategic expansions identified in partnership with the Chief Operating Officer, UM Health Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Strategy Officer. Identify opportunities for philanthropy to support UM Health and pharmacy initiatives. Partner with the broader University of Michigan for employee pharmacy benefit programs. Strong leadership skills and demonstrated excellence in creating a culture of accountability, inclusivity, and high caliber deliverables. Works collaboratively in a team environment, continually addressing ongoing and new issues, while also exercising appropriate autonomy when needed to meet job requirements. Provides expertise and consultation as it relates to operations effectiveness, patient access, financial management, employee engagement, and patient satisfaction. Provide leadership for the effective management of change and transition within the institution.  Takes a data-based approach and facilitates innovation and creativity in the development of new initiatives to support ongoing performance improvement and organizational change. Ensures compliance with regulatory agencies. Promotes effective teamwork and motivation and fosters the effective integration of efforts with system-wide initiatives. Serves on committees and other activities ensuring collaboration and liaison with appropriate clinical-enterprise-wide group. Establish priorities, areas of focus, and measurable targets for performance improvement for support services. Identify improvements for pharmacy facilities, including construction or renovation of structures and purchase of major equipment, provide fiscal oversight for above and below threshold capital investment priority portfolios. Oversee resolution of clinical and operational challenges that arise across services provided at Dexter facility. Develop, implement, and evaluate cost-efficiency initiatives related to service operations and patient care services. Represents UM Health as a member of the community in the promotion of good public relations for the health system. Master's degree in finance, health services administration, business administration or an equivalent combination of education and experience. At least five years of progressively responsible experience and proven success in the management of health care delivery and a history of successful execution of initiatives in operations or physician practice management Considerable health care experience and strong experience in managing clinical operations Progressive experience leading finance and administration functions within a complex, growing health care organization. A track record of driving strategic resource planning and budgeting, operations, and risk management, and developing decision support analytics and systems to support these activities. A strong business orientation with the ability to 'go beyond the numbers' in helping senior executive team identify and develop opportunities to strengthen financial performance and continue to shape a top-tier institution for future growth and sustainability. Comprehensive and broad understanding of current trends in pharmacy economics, health care and higher education industries including knowledge of reimbursement, contracting, governmental actions and unique pharmacy programs such as the federal 340B program. Demonstrated skill in change management, confidence with the ability to convey vision, data management and analytics, and strong business acumen. A credible, assertive, self-motivated administrator with the ability to lead multi-disciplinary and diverse teams and drives a high-performance culture where each contributing member feels a sense of belonging and professional purpose. Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings.  Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.
Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally.  Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
About University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
A great university is made so by its faculty and staff, and Michigan is recognized as one of the best universities to work for in the country. The Michigan culture is known for engaging faculty and staff in all facets of the university to create a workplace that is vibrant and stimulating.For two consecutive years, the Chronicle of Higher Education has placed U-M in its "Great Colleges to Work For" survey. In particular, the university earns high marks for strong relations between faculty and administrators, a collaborative system of governance, strong pay and benefits, and a healthy work/life balance.
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