Chief Academic Officer (CAO)

Main Line Health; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 350,000 - 650,000; Full time

Job summary

Main Line Health in the Greater Philadelphia Region seeks a visionary Chief Academic Officer (CAO) and Designated Institutional Official (DIO) to lead its expanding medical education enterprise, overseeing GME, UME, faculty development, and academic partnerships while maintaining an active clinical practice.

Reporting to the VP of Medical Education, the CAO will shape strategic direction, ensure accreditation excellence, and advance physician workforce development across the system.

Qualifications

• MD or DO degree and board certification.
• Eligibility for unrestricted PA medical licensure.
• Experience in ACGME-accredited training environments.
• Prior service as Designated Institutional Official is preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership in academic medical education and program development.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive oversight of all residency and fellowship programs.
• Oversee Graduate Medical Education (GME) and Undergraduate Medical Education (UME).
• Lead faculty development, scholarly activity, and research initiatives.
• Establish and nurture academic partnerships and ensure accreditation compliance.
• Drive strategic planning for the health system's academic mission and physician workforce development.

Skills

Academic leadership

GME management

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Executive communication

Education

MD or DO degree

Board certification in appropriate specialty

Eligibility for unrestricted PA medical licensure

Job description

Chief Academic Officer (CAO)
Main Line Health | Greater Philadelphia Region

Main Line Health seeks a visionary and accomplished physician leader to serve as its next Chief Academic Officer (CAO) and Designated Institutional Official (DIO). This newly expanded executive leadership role reflects the organization's commitment to advancing medical education, physician workforce development, academic excellence, and long-term growth. Reporting to the Vice President of Medical Education, the CAO will serve as Main Line Health's senior academic leader, providing strategic oversight of Graduate Medical Education (GME), Undergraduate Medical Education (UME), faculty development, academic partnerships, and the health system's broader academic mission while maintaining an active clinical practice.

Main Line Health is at an exciting inflection point in its academic evolution. With strong support from executive leadership and the Board, the organization is focused on aligning educational programs under a unified strategy, strengthening academic partnerships, expanding residency and fellowship training opportunities, and elevating its academic reputation. The incoming CAO will have a unique opportunity to shape the future of academic medicine across the health system by developing a long-term vision for the academic enterprise, leveraging GME to strengthen physician workforce development, identifying opportunities for growth and innovation, and advancing a cohesive academic mission that supports organizational priorities.

As the institutional leader for medical education, the CAO will provide executive oversight of all residency and fellowship programs sponsored by Main Line Health, ensuring excellence in education, accreditation, compliance, and learner experience. The successful candidate will work closely with Program Directors, Department Chairs, physician leaders, hospital leadership, and academic partners to advance educational quality, faculty development, scholarly activity, research, and physician leadership development. The CAO will also play a key role in positioning medical education as a strategic asset supporting physician recruitment, organizational growth, and clinical excellence throughout the system.

The ideal candidate will be an accomplished academic physician leader with significant experience in Graduate Medical Education and academic program leadership. Candidates must possess an MD or DO degree, board certification in an appropriate specialty, and eligibility for unrestricted medical licensure in Pennsylvania. Experience in ACGME-accredited training environments is required, and prior service as a Designated Institutional Official is strongly preferred. The successful candidate will bring demonstrated expertise in accreditation, strategic planning, program development, stakeholder engagement, and leading complex academic initiatives across a multi-site healthcare system.

Founded in 1985, Main Line Health is a leading not-for-profit health system serving Philadelphia and its western suburbs. The system includes Lankenau Medical Center, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Paoli Hospital, Riddle Hospital, and Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital, supported by a broad network of physician practices, outpatient centers, research programs, and community-based services. Main Line Health sponsors numerous accredited residency and fellowship programs and is actively investing in future growth through the development of Main Line Health Downingtown and the expansion of Paoli Hospital, further strengthening its presence throughout Chester County and the western suburbs of Philadelphia.