Role Overview for Chief Academic Officer, Academic Medical Center – Baltimore, MD
JRG Partners is proud to lead the executive search for a transformative and visionary Chief Academic Officer (CAO) on behalf of a prestigious, nationally recognized Academic Medical Center (AMC) in Baltimore, Maryland. This is a paramount leadership opportunity to shape the future of medicine, research, and healthcare education at an institution renowned for its commitment to excellence, innovation, and community service. The CAO will serve as the principal architect of the AMC’s academic mission, fostering a vibrant, integrated, and collaborative environment that advances patient care, biomedical discovery, and the training of the next generation of physicians and scientists. This executive will report directly to the Dean of the School of Medicine and the CEO of the Health System, serving as a key member of the senior leadership team.
The ideal candidate will be a distinguished physician-scientist and a proven administrative leader with an unwavering commitment to academic excellence. They will be responsible for the strategic oversight, direction, and enhancement of all educational and research programs across the enterprise. This includes undergraduate medical education (UME), graduate medical education (GME), continuing medical education (CME), and the full spectrum of basic, translational, and clinical research. The CAO will champion a culture of inquiry, innovation, and continuous improvement, ensuring that our client’s AMC remains at the forefront of the evolving landscape of academic medicine. This role demands a leader who can not only manage the complexities of a large, multifaceted academic enterprise but also inspire faculty, staff, and learners to achieve unprecedented levels of success and impact.
Key Responsibilities of Chief Academic Officer, Academic Medical Center – Baltimore, MD
The Chief Academic Officer will have a broad and impactful portfolio of responsibilities, encompassing strategic leadership and operational oversight of the entire academic mission. Key duties include:
Strategic Leadership and Vision
- Develop, articulate, and implement a compelling strategic vision for the academic enterprise that aligns with the overall mission and goals of the AMC.
- Collaborate with senior leadership to integrate the academic mission seamlessly with the clinical enterprise, ensuring a synergistic relationship that enhances patient care, research, and education.
- Lead long-range planning for academic programs, faculty development, and research infrastructure, anticipating future trends in healthcare and medical science.
- Serve as a visible and influential advocate for the academic mission both internally and externally, representing the AMC to national organizations, funding agencies, and academic partners.
Educational Program Oversight
- Provide ultimate oversight for all educational programs, ensuring they meet the highest standards of quality, innovation, and effectiveness.
- Supervise the offices and deans responsible for UME, GME, and CME, fostering excellence in curriculum development, student and resident training, and lifelong learning for faculty.
- Ensure full compliance with all relevant accreditation bodies, including the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
- Champion the development of innovative educational models, including interprofessional education, simulation-based training, and the integration of new technologies into the learning environment.
Research Enterprise Leadership
- Provide strategic direction and oversight for the AMC’s entire research portfolio, from basic discovery to clinical and translational science.
- Work to expand the research enterprise by fostering a supportive environment for investigators, enhancing research infrastructure, and securing increased extramural funding from the NIH and other sources.
- Promote a culture of interdisciplinary research collaboration across departments, centers, and institutes.
- Oversee research administration, including grant management, regulatory compliance (IRB, IACUC), and the responsible conduct of research, ensuring the highest standards of integrity and ethics.
- Facilitate the translation of research discoveries into clinical practice and commercial applications, enhancing the AMC’s impact on human health.
Faculty Affairs and Development
- Oversee all aspects of faculty affairs, including recruitment, retention, promotion, and tenure processes, ensuring they are equitable, transparent, and aligned with institutional goals.
- Develop and implement comprehensive faculty development programs that support faculty at all career stages in their roles as educators, researchers, and clinicians.
- Foster a diverse, inclusive, and supportive environment for all faculty, promoting wellness, mentorship, and professional growth.
Requirements for the Chief Academic Officer, Academic Medical Center – Baltimore, MD
Candidates must possess a distinguished record of academic and administrative achievement. The qualifications for this executive position are rigorous and reflect the significance of the role.
Education and Certification
- An M.D., M.D./Ph.D., or equivalent terminal degree is required.
- Board certification in their respective specialty.
- Must be eligible for a medical license in the state of Maryland.
- A distinguished record of scholarly achievement that would warrant appointment as a tenured full Professor.
Experience
- A minimum of 10-15 years of progressive leadership experience within an academic medical center, school of medicine, or a similarly complex healthcare organization.
- Demonstrated success in a significant administrative role, such as a Vice Dean, Department Chair, or Center Director, with substantial budgetary and operational responsibility.
- A proven track record of success as a federally funded investigator (e.g., NIH R01 or equivalent) with a deep understanding of the research funding landscape.
- Extensive experience in the oversight and administration of educational programs (UME/GME) and a thorough knowledge of accreditation standards and processes.
- Demonstrable experience in faculty recruitment, mentorship, and development, with a commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion.
Skills and Competencies
Visionary Leadership
Ability to inspire and motivate diverse stakeholders toward a common vision of academic excellence.
Strategic and Financial Acumen
Sophisticated skills in strategic planning, financial management, resource allocation, and complex problem-solving.
Exceptional Communication
Superior interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills, with the ability to serve as a compelling spokesperson for the institution.
Collaborative and Inclusive
A consensus-building leadership style with a proven ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, and health system leadership.
Integrity and Ethics
Unquestionable personal and professional integrity and a commitment to the highest ethical standards in academic and clinical practice.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client offers a highly competitive and comprehensive executive compensation and benefits package designed to attract and retain a leader of this caliber. The package includes:
Executive Compensation
A competitive base salary, supplemented by significant performance-based incentives and bonus potential.
Retirement Plans
A robust retirement savings program, including a generous 401(k) or 403(b) plan with substantial employer contributions and access to deferred compensation plans.
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
Premier medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your eligible dependents, along with executive wellness programs and resources.
Relocation Assistance
A comprehensive, executive-level relocation package to ensure a smooth transition to the vibrant Baltimore metropolitan area.
Generous Paid Time Off
A substantial paid time off (PTO) package, including vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays, to support work-life balance.
Professional Development
A significant allowance for professional development, including attendance at national conferences, continuing medical education, and executive coaching.
Insurance and Disability
Employer-paid life insurance, short-term, and long-term disability coverage.
How to Apply
JRG Partners has been exclusively retained for this executive search. To express your interest in this exceptional opportunity, please submit a comprehensive curriculum vitae (CV) and a letter of interest outlining your qualifications and vision for the role. All inquiries, nominations, and applications will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.
For more information or to submit your application, please visit the relevant section on our website or contact our lead recruiters directly. We specialize in connecting top-tier talent with leading institutions. Learn more about our expertise by visiting JRG Partners’ Top Academic Medicine Executive Recruiters. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive talent pool and strongly encourage applications from women and underrepresented minorities.
