"Associate Chief Pharmacy Officer - Pharmacy Clinical & Quality Services"

Posted: 31-Jan-26

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Categories: Staff/Administrative

Internal Number: 273440

The Associate Chief Pharmacy Officer (ACPO) position at University of Michigan Health (UMH) is a key enterprise executive for the Department of Pharmacy (DOP). This role supports the Chief Pharmacy Officer and is responsible for development and oversight of multiple pharmacy-related programs and/or areas including the overall operation of UMH's pharmacy services. Specifically, this position leads planning, organization, and execution of pharmacy-related programs and projects. This position ensures all systems operate in accordance with MM policies and procedures, standards of practice based on alignment with national organizations, and state/federal laws.

The ACPO acts as part of the DOP senior leadership team and works closely with other senior department leaders across the UMH enterprise to ensure safe and effective patient care. This role has responsibility to achieve broadly stated goals directly and through subordinate personnel.  In this role, the ACPO will represent pharmacy to internal and external stakeholders at all levels of leadership within UMH and determine objectives, direct programs, develop strategies and policies, manages human, financial, and physical resources, and functions to meet enterprise objectives. 

Other functions include designing and leading pharmacy functions across multiple sites, accountability for the overall administrative planning and coordination of staffing, fiscal and material resources. Assists with the development and implementation of new services, policies and protocols, and use of technology.

Organizational Relationships:

Has a direct reporting relationship to the Chief Pharmacy Officer.

Partners closely with corresponding leaders in the Region, affiliated medical groups, University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, Medical School, and other affiliated Colleges and Schools, and corresponding leaders in acute and ambulatory care delivery.

Characteristics and Duties:

Directs and oversees leaders in assigned areas to ensure appropriate medication management, schedules, workflow systems, budgets, and performance requirements. Develops and implements standards, processes and approaches to deliver timely and quality service.

Supports and ensures execution of strategic plans and programs. Guides and determine decisions related to pharmacy-related services.

The ACPO will serve as adjunct faculty at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy.

The ACPO will be expected to assume the role and responsibility for activities as assigned.

Leadership Areas

• System Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee
  • System medication formulary
  • System drug library
  • System medication-related policies, procedures, guidelines and initiatives
• Medication Utilization
• Pharmacy Regulatory Services
• Pharmacy Compliance
• Medication Safety
• United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Compliance
• Diversion Prevention
• Medication-related Technology

Strategic Responsibility

• Develop and execute strategic plans for system-wide clinical and quality pharmacy services, including thoughtful standardization, enterprise value, safe medication practices and high-quality services.
• Drive innovation and transformation initiatives to advance and support clinical, operational and financial outcomes
• Provide thought leadership in shaping pharmacy's role in integrated care delivery, patient safety, and high-reliability operations.
• Develop and execute strategic goals and objectives for areas of responsibility

Operational Management

• Lead and oversee system-wide pharmacy services that drive clinical standardization, including medication formulary, regulatory oversight, compliant pharmacy practices, safe medication use, USP compliance and diversion prevention
• Implement standardized workflows, automation, and technology to enhance efficiency, safety, and scalability
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and identify opportunities for continuous process improvement.
• Collaborate with and support other ACPOs and system pharmacy leaders to ensure optimal outcomes across the system

Clinical Oversight

• Ensure support of evidence-based clinical pharmacy services best practices
• Support and advocate for the integration of pharmacists into multidisciplinary care teams to optimize patient outcomes.
• Partner with clinical leadership teams across the system to drive medication-related initiatives, including formulary management, and supporting clinical pharmacy services, such as antimicrobial stewardship and opioid stewardship.

Financial Management

• Drive optimization of medication formulary to balance clinical benefits with economic impact, leveraging contracting, resources, efficiency and stewardship
• Oversee pharmacy-related budgets across areas of responsibility, including labor, expenses, and capital projects.
• Monitor financial performance and adjust tactics to meet budgetary targets while maintaining high standards.

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations (e.g., DEA, FDA, Board of Pharmacy), and accreditation standards (e.g., The Joint Commission, USP <797>/<800>/<795>, URAC, ACHC).
• Lead system readiness for inspections, audits, and response to findings with action plans to ensure ongoing compliance, risk reduction, and financial integrity / recovery.
• Implement guidelines, policies and procedures that promote safe and compliant medication practices.
• Ensure responses to regulatory agencies include coordination across UM Health for planning and execution of changing expectations.

Staff Leadership and Development

• Lead recruitment, retention, and development of pharmacy leaders, managers, and clinical staff across all sites for areas of responsibility.
• Foster a culture of belonging, engagement, accountability, and professional growth.
• Support leadership succession planning, competency development, and staff well-being initiatives.

Collaboration and Communication Across Sites

• Serve as the central point of coordination among pharmacy leaders across system pharmacy services to ensure alignment, consistency, and best practices for clinical and quality initiatives.
• Collaborate with nursing, medical staff, quality, IT, executive teams, and other internal and external stakeholders to advance system initiatives.
• Represent system pharmacy services in cross-functional committees and system councils for applicable areas of responsibility

Innovation and Advancement

• Champion innovative practices in pharmacy automation and technology
• Identify and implement emerging technologies that improve medication use safety and efficiency
• Promote a culture of continuous learning and adaptive change to stay at the forefront of hospital pharmacy practice

Job Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

Education: Doctor of Pharmacy degree (or equivalent) required. Residency (or equivalent experience) is required. Advanced business degree (e.g., MBA, MHA, MS) or candidacy to earn the degree (must be completed within 3 years) required. Minimally eligible for academic rank of Clinical Assistant Professor preferred. 

Licensure/Certification: Current license to practice as a Pharmacist in the State of Michigan 

Experience:At least 10 years of progressively responsible health-system pharmacy leadership; involvement in the training of pharmacy students and residents.

• Effective communication (written and verbal) skills
• Demonstrated decision-making skills
• Demonstrated success leading projects and initiatives to improve efficiency, quality, safety and service levels in a complex healthcare environment
• Extensive knowledge of medication safety procedures and current trends in contemporary pharmacy service provision
• Extensive knowledge of regulatory board requirements in contemporary pharmacy service provision
• Ability to recruit and retain highly skilled professional staff
• Strong knowledge of pharmacy informatics and technology within pharmacy and health systems
• Knowledgeable about the pharmaceutical supply chain, clinical therapeutics, human resources management, and budget management
• Proven leadership skills in motivating, developing, and empowering leaders and staff
• Track record of collaboration and effective partnerships with internal stakeholders including: physicians, nurses, hospital administrators and others
• Ability to align operations and establish best practices across the health-system