WittKieffer is honored to partner with UC Davis Health (UCDH) as they seek an inaugural Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the UC Davis Medical Group. This is an incredible opportunity to join a thriving health system and serve as a leader at one of the nation’s top academic medical centers. The CAO serves as the senior administrative leader for the UC Davis Medical Group, responsible for integrating clinical service capabilities into a unified management structure that achieves strategic, operational, and financial alignment between the School of Medicine, Medical Group, and Medical Center.
UC Davis Health is a major driver of economic prosperity in the Sacramento and Northern California region, with operating revenues exceeding $5.5B. As the region’s only academic health center, UCDH focuses on discovering and sharing knowledge while providing the highest quality care. UCDH is highly technologically engaged and has numerous partnerships with tech organizations like Amazon, Milo, Node Health and CHIME. The UC Davis Medical Group represents all organized medical group practices of UC Davis Health’s primary and specialty care faculty and staff physicians. The Medical Group operates within a complex matrix organization with significantly expanding scope and responsibility, overseeing a $1.6 billion annual revenue stream, 1.8 million patient visits, and strategic planning for over 1400 physicians across primary and specialty care. The group’s purpose is to serve UC Davis Health’s missions through the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective care.
Reporting directly to the Chief Physician Executive of the UC Medical Group and Chief Medical Officer of the Ambulatory Care Division – Dr. Debbie Aizenberg – the CAO will also work in close partnership with Larisa Kure, Executive Assistant Dean for Administration and Finance at the UC Davis School of Medicine. This role will serve as a key liaison between the health system and the School of Medicine, ensuring alignment and continuity in physician workforce planning, patient access, and financial standardization across services. The CAO will also work closely with the Medical Group Executive Council to ensure governance structures and bylaws to support the evolving strategic direction of the medical group. Additionally, the CAO will represent the medical group’s vision and priorities in executive-level meetings alongside Dr. Aizenberg.
The CAO’s primary focus centers on physician practice management while facilitating seamless integration of clinical practices into a coordinated, financially sustainable patient care delivery system. Working closely with School of Medicine clinical departments and the Community Physician Group, the CAO will drive operational excellence and strategic growth initiatives. Key responsibilities include expanding physician recruitment and retention programs, external contracting for physician services across all affiliated entities, and collaborating with School of Medicine and health system leadership to ensure aligned clinical growth objectives. The CAO will collaborate with health system leaders on financial management, budgeting, staffing, reporting, compliance, and day-to-day physician operations while ensuring high-quality care delivery, enhancing patient experience, and fostering clinician engagement across the network of over 1,400 physicians providing patient care at UC Davis Health and affiliated sites.
This is an onsite role based in Sacramento, CA.
In this role, the CAO will:
The ideal candidate will bring deep experience from academic medical centers and large, complex medical groups. Candidates should have a minimum of ten years’ experience in positions of increasing responsibility in healthcare administration, financial or data analysis, and strategic operations; five years or more management experience leading multidisciplinary teams. A preferred MBA, MPA or Master’s degree in Public Health or Healthcare Administration. A strong background in finance, administration, and ambulatory operations is essential.
The salary range for the role is anticipated to be between $203,400 – $422,600. The final hiring salary is commensurate with experience.
Please direct all applications, inquiries, and nominations to the WittKieffer consultants using the WittKieffer Candidate Portal by clicking the buttons below or via email, at: [email protected]. The Candidate Portal is a secure, easy way to nominate a colleague, express interest, or apply for a position.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.