Director, University Health Services

Princeton University seeks a Director of University Health Services (UHS) to serve as the key leader of an integrated health system that supports the health and well-being of Princeton students and employees. UHS is a distinctive, multifaceted organization that provides a broad continuum of services through the Frist Health Center and satellite offices, including primary and urgent medical care, Athletic Medicine, Counseling and Psychological Services, SHARE, Health Promotion and Prevention Services, and Occupational Health. Reporting to the Executive Director of UHS, the Director shares responsibility for leading an organization whose work is central to both student success and the University's broader academic mission.

This position calls for a leader who is equally comfortable shaping strategy and driving execution. Collaborating closely with the Executive Director, the Director provides day-to-day operational leadership for UHS, ensures the effective integration of clinical and administrative functions, and represents the organization through a wide range of university and external partnerships. The Director collaborates with senior clinical and program leaders to foster a culture of excellence, accountability, innovation, and care, while overseeing the financial, technological, physical, and human resources that support the organization's success.

This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of health and well-being at one of the world's leading universities during a period of significant change and opportunity in higher education healthcare.

Strategic and Operational Leadership

In partnership with the Executive Director, helps establish organizational priorities and leads their translation into operational practice. Provides direction and support to a senior leadership team responsible for clinical, programmatic, and administrative functions, while promoting shared standards for quality, access, service, and patient experience. Uses data, assessment, and informed judgment to guide decision-making and continuous improvement efforts.

• Implement and advance the vision, mission, and strategic priorities of University Health Services by leading service line directors, guiding policy development, and applying industry best practices and benchmarking to ensure excellence in care delivery.
• Provide executive leadership to clinical and administrative teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, inclusion, innovation, and professional excellence.
• Serve as a key liaison to university leadership, external partners, and regulatory agencies, and collaborate across academic and administrative units to ensure alignment with Princeton University's mission and priorities.
• Strengthen the visibility, impact, and value of UHS within the broader Princeton community through strategic engagement and advocacy.
• Oversee and optimize core administrative and operational functions, including finance and information technology, , ensuring effective infrastructure and service delivery.

Talent and Organizational Culture

Partners with Human Resources on workforce planning, recruitment, compensation practices, and organizational design. Provides coaching, mentorship, and performance oversight for senior staff while fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing organizational culture.

• Serve as a strategic partner to Human Resources in assessing workforce needs and ensuring UHS maintains the talent, competencies, and expertise necessary to deliver high-quality, comprehensive healthcare services.
• Partner with Human Resources to ensure compensation offers are applied consistently and equitably across UHS, aligned with internal equity guidelines and University compensation practices.
• Provide guidance and insight to support recruitment strategies, workforce planning, and equitable hiring practices.
• Foster an inclusive and supportive work environment that promotes professionalism, collaboration, engagement, and mutual respect.
• Support employee effectiveness by establishing clear performance expectations; providing ongoing coaching, development, and supervision; leveraging data and outcomes to drive continuous improvement; fostering accountability; and promoting staff well-being.

Financial and Administrative Oversight

Provides leadership for the UHS budget, workforce, and administrative infrastructure. Oversees budget planning, forecasting, resource allocation, and long-range financial stewardship. Directs administrative functions including finance, information technology, patient services, and medical records, balancing fiscal responsibility with the need to sustain high-quality services and a healthy work environment.

• Provide strategic oversight of financial operations, including budget development, forecasting, financial planning, and resource allocation to ensure long-term fiscal sustainability.
• Oversee financial leadership staff and guide cost-containment strategies while supporting operational excellence and long-term growth initiatives.
• Ensure responsible stewardship of university resources through effective financial controls, monitoring, and reporting.

Technology and Information Systems

Leads oversight of clinical, administrative, and analytic systems, including electronic health records and related technologies. Ensures compliance with HIPAA, FERPA, and University data security requirements, while advancing technology investments that improve access, efficiency, communication, and clinical effectiveness.

• Drive innovation in healthcare technology, ensuring the effective utilization and optimization of two electronic health record (EHR) systems and related technologies.
• Oversee information technology operations to maintain compliance with HIPAA, FERPA, and data security requirements while advancing digital solutions that enhance patient access, engagement, and operational efficiency.
• Champion technology initiatives that improve service delivery, data analytics, and organizational effectiveness.

Facilities

Serves as a steward of the Frist Health Center, ensuring a safe, accessible, and welcoming environment for patients, staff, and visitors. Oversees space planning, renovations, and capital projects aligned with evolving clinical and programmatic priorities.

• Ensure the Frist Health Center maintains the highest standards of safety, accessibility, functionality, and regulatory compliance.
• Lead planning efforts related to facility improvements, renovations, and space optimization to meet evolving healthcare needs.
• Maintain a safe and welcoming environment for the delivery of high-quality patient care.

Compliance, Quality, and Risk Management

Maintains accountability for regulatory compliance, accreditation standards, patient privacy, clinical quality, and safety programs. Partners with University’s Office of Audit and Compliance and other campus stakeholders to strengthen internal controls, mitigate risk, and support a culture of continuous quality improvement.

• Ensure adherence to all applicable regulatory, accreditation, clinical quality, privacy, and safety requirements.
• Partner with University Audit & Compliance to conduct reviews, mitigate risk, strengthen internal controls, and implement best practices for patient safety and regulatory compliance.
• Oversee risk management programs that support organizational integrity and operational excellence.

Student Health Plan

Oversee administration of the Student Health Plan, including enrollment, member services, communications, and educational initiatives. Works closely with brokers, carriers, and student stakeholders to monitor performance and ensure compliance with institutional, state, and federal requirements.

• Provide oversight of Princeton University's student health plan, including enrollment, customer service, communications, and educational initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with institutional, state, and federal requirements related to student health insurance programs.
• Monitor plan performance and partner with stakeholders to enhance the overall student experience.

Essential qualifications

• Graduate degree relevant to healthcare leadership. Appropriate credentials include an MBA, MHA, MPH, MSN, or comparable advanced degree. Clinical degrees such as MD, DO, PhD, or PsyD in health-related disciplines are also welcomed.
  • Ten or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in healthcare, college health, or a related setting, including senior leadership responsibility within a substantial clinical operation. Strong candidates will bring experience leading or helping lead organizations of comparable complexity and scale.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of healthcare operations, finance, compliance, quality improvement, and risk management.
  • Experience working successfully within complex organizations that involve multiple governance structures and diverse stakeholder groups.
  • Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and organizational leadership skills.
  • Familiarity with student health insurance programs and applicable regulatory requirements.
  • A proven record of building, and sustaining a culture of inclusion, belonging, collaboration, and mutual respect.

Preferred Qualifications

• Additional graduate preparation in a complementary field such as organizational psychology, social work, quality improvement, or leadership development.
  • A doctoral degree in a related discipline.
  • Experience working in a highly selective residential university, academic medical center, or similarly complex healthcare environment.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, work experience, education/training, key skills, market, collective bargaining agreements as applicable, and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The posted salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate for a full-time position; salaries for part-time positions are pro-rated accordingly.

If the salary range on the posted position shows an hourly rate, this is the baseline; the actual hourly rate may be higher, depending on the position and factors listed above.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. Please see this link for more information.