Department Administrator Cancer Systems Imaging

UT MD Anderson is seeking a highly skilled Department Administrator to provide strategic, financial, operational, research, and human resources leadership for the Department of Cancer Systems Imaging. The Department Administrator serves as a key partner to departmental leadership, supporting faculty, staff, and research programs while ensuring effective stewardship of financial, personnel, and physical resources. The Department Administrator is responsible for driving operational excellence, compliance, and long-term departmental growth through collaborative leadership and strategic planning.

UT MD Anderson is a leading institution focused on cancer care, research, education, and prevention. This position plays a critical role in supporting the department’s mission through oversight of financial management, faculty affairs, research administration, operational performance, and strategic initiatives.

The ideal candidate will possess progressively responsible leadership experience in healthcare, academic medicine, research administration, or complex operational environments. Experience overseeing multimillion-dollar budgets, faculty affairs, sponsored research programs, operational planning, and large teams is highly preferred. Strong leadership, relationship-building, communication, financial, and analytical skills are essential. 

Why Us?
At UT MD Anderson, this position offers the opportunity to influence the operational, financial, and strategic success of a nationally recognized academic department while supporting one of the world's leading cancer centers. The role serves as a trusted partner to departmental leadership, faculty, and research teams, helping drive innovation, research growth, operational excellence, and patient-focused outcomes. Team members benefit from a collaborative environment, professional development opportunities, and the ability to contribute directly to a mission dedicated to Making Cancer History®.
• Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
• Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.
• Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.
Responsibilities
Financial, Budget & Administrative Leadership
• Prepare, justify, administer, and monitor departmental budgets in alignment with institutional guidelines and strategic objectives.
• Direct all financial planning, forecasting, and budgetary decision-making for the department.
• Monitor and reconcile E&G, PRS, grant, and philanthropic accounts.
• Review budgets, expenditures, personnel costs, and effort reporting with faculty members.
• Prepare and distribute required financial and budget reports.
• Ensure compliance with institutional and state policies related to purchasing, travel, petty cash, and check requests.
• Conduct financial analyses for new and proposed initiatives.
• Develop and implement departmental capital equipment plans.
• Implement institutional, divisional, and departmental policies and procedures while safeguarding departmental resources.
• Develop internal controls that maintain financial integrity and operational accountability.
Human Resources, Faculty Affairs & Operations
• Direct recruitment, selection, credentialing, performance evaluations, and overall human resource management activities.
• Manage faculty recruitment, appointments, credentialing, promotion, tenure, and educational appointee actions.
• Request incremental positions through approved processes supported by data-driven justifications.
• Establish performance expectations and productivity standards for staff.
• Provide ongoing coaching, counseling, and performance feedback to employees.
• Oversee professional development, training, and continuing education opportunities.
• Implement disciplinary actions in accordance with institutional guidelines.
• Approve personnel actions, including hiring, promotions, merit increases, terminations, and reclassifications in consultation with departmental leadership.
• Coordinate faculty and staff incentive and reward programs.
• Manage daily departmental operations, delegate assignments, and ensure timely completion of work.
Compliance, Facilities & Resource Management
• Monitor completion of Conflict of Interest certifications, effort reports, and mandatory training requirements.
• Ensure compliance with departmental, divisional, institutional, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure confidentiality of records and compliance with HIPAA regulations.
• Reassign staff responsibilities and resources as operational needs require.
• Lead special projects assigned by departmental leadership.
• Collaborate effectively with institutional, divisional, and departmental stakeholders.
• Manage departmental space planning, inventory control, and property maintenance.
• Assess and plan physical resource requirements and utilization needs.
• Coordinate relocations, renovations, and space utilization projects.
• Execute facility-related initiatives with minimal disruption to daily operations.
Research Operations & Clinical Service Management 
• Oversee administrative management of grants, contracts, internal funding, and other sponsored agreements.
• Ensure timely submission of research proposals and contractual agreements in compliance with institutional requirements.
• Develop, maintain, and enforce departmental policies and procedures.
• Advise faculty on grant budgets, sponsor negotiations, contract development, and financial oversight of awards.
• Provide administrative oversight for translational and basic science research programs.
• Support long-range planning for research growth and evolving research priorities.
• Coordinate research space allocation and utilization with departmental leadership.
• Meet regularly with investigators and support staff to review grant, contract, and sponsored project finances.
• Develop and monitor research E&G and capital equipment budgets and operational plans.
• Advise departmental leadership on staffing requirements, faculty productivity, and departmental reporting.
Strategic Planning & Development 
• Collaborate with the Department Chair to develop short- and long-term strategic business and operational plans.
• Implement and evaluate strategies that support departmental, divisional, and institutional goals.
• Monitor organizational priorities and progress toward achieving the department’s mission and vision.
• Produce reports and analyses to support strategic decision-making and outcome measurement.
• Serve as liaison for marketing, communications, and development initiatives.
• Coordinate with the Development Office to support philanthropic activities and fundraising efforts.