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Department Administrator - Leukemia
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston is one of the world’s most respected centers focused on cancer patient care, research, education and prevention. It was named the nation’s No. 1 hospital for cancer care in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025–2026 rankings. It is one of the nation’s original three comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute.
The Department Administrator serves as the primary administrator and chief business officer for an academic and clinical department; Manages daily operations of the department by coordinating effectively with other parts of the institution and establishing effective working relationships with organizational peers; Implements institutional policies and procedures in overseeing and directly administering daily activities to include personnel administration, recruitment, promotions, evaluations, academic/educational appointments, and grants management; Responsible for decision making, planning, and forecasting of all financial and budgetary matters; Prepares, justifies and administers budgets for the department and its related programmatic areas; ensures that human resources are appropriately selected, oriented, utilized and evaluated; evaluates the performance of direct reports annually and coordinates the evaluation of indirect reports; develops, administers, and manages research programs; manages the administrative responsibilities of grant proposals and contractual agreements; manages the department's physical resources including space planning, inventory, control, and property maintenance; in association with the Chair and Executive Director, develops long term strategic business plans for the department, developing short and long range goals and devising collaborative strategies for resource acquisition and allocation; designs and develops systems and processes to improve service and product quality for internal and external customers; Interfaces with the information systems support group to resolve computer hardware and software problems.
KEY FUNCTIONS
Financial & Operational Management (40%)
Review and administers budgets for the department and its related programmatic areas within institutional guidelines and in accordance with strategic plans; Ensures timely and accurate expense and income tracking for all company centers; consistently monitors monthly balances and reconciliation of chart field strings; demonstrates thorough working knowledge of institutional and state guidelines which include purchasing, check requests, travel and other expenses; demonstrates working knowledge of institutional systems to monitor financial activity; completes financial analyses of new or proposed programs through the development of proforma; protects assets, including property and records, from losses , errors, or irregularities; provides required budgetary and financial reports; coordinates development of departmental capital equipment requests and requisitions as approved
Grant and Contract Management
Oversees and coordinates the preparation of grant proposals and contractual agreements; examines the budget, staffing, and space needed for grants prior to submission to the Division; Monitors activity to ensure compliance with all pertinent regulations and deadlines. Follows through to ensure the timely processing of materials through the Division office
Physical Resource Management and Planning
Coordinates physical resource utilization including space planning, inventory control, and property maintenance; assists with planning and orchestrating physical relocations and renovations; assumes responsibility for maintaining the aesthetics of the given areas of responsibility
Operations Management
Coordinates effectively with other parts of the institution to accomplish goals; establishes effective working relationships with organizational peers; anticipates potential barriers and opportunities and develops plans to minimize obstacles and take advantage of opportunities; organizes and directs areas of responsibility; develops, implements, and evaluates communication strategies employed by the department to ensure effective informational exchange between the department, division, and larger institution areas.
Personnel Management (40%)
Ensures that human resources are appropriately selected, oriented, and utilized; evaluates the performance of direct reports annually using the institutional performance evaluation system; coordinates and assists with the evaluation of indirect reports; Assists with the development of departmental performance standards that focus on measurable, job-specific outcomes; ensures that each employee in the department has a current position description with performance standards; provides timely, ongoing and appropriate performance feedback; acts to improve performance when it falls short of goals and standards; Establishes and implements plans to promote the development and continued education and training of human resources by creating and maintaining an environment that encourages and motivates employees and teams to higher levels of performance; makes decisions affecting human resources in a fair and consistent manner; recognizes and promotes the rewards and accomplishments of departmental employees; prepares reports as requested
Strategic Planning and Reporting (20%)
Planning and Development
In association with the Chair, develops long term strategic business plans for the department; develops, implements, and evaluates plans to achieve long term financial and operational results for the department which reflect departmental and divisional goals; produces required volume reports and serves as a liaison for marketing initiatives; executes multiple tasks in a well-planned, systematic manner which includes: (a) keeping accurate records of deadlines and status of progress toward same; (b) routinely apprising Department Chairman of project status in anticipation of deadlines; (c) involving all parties who should have input into projects; and (d) producing accurate work within time frames required
Quality Assurance
Demonstrates commitment to improving service and product quality for internal and external customers; designs systems and processes which enhance efficiency and effectiveness; assures that effective internal controls are developed and maintained to ensure integrity of the department/division/institution; ensures that work practices meet health, fire, safety, and regulatory requirements; develops and implements policies and procedures that guide and support the provision of services; develops appropriate productivity monitors of direct reports in relation to classified and/or administrative employees; uses institutional, departmental, or divisional management and financial reports to make informed decisions
Administrative/Records Management
Implements institutional policies and procedures in overseeing and administering daily activities to include staffing, personnel administration, grants management, academic appointments, recruitments and promotions, medical record documentation requirements, and fellowship/resident training programs; interfaces routinely with representatives in support departments, utilizing resources for information and approval for various transactions and requests; ensures integrity and confidentiality of records
Informational Systems Support
Interfaces with the information systems support group to resolve connectivity and software problems; ensures availability to departmental, divisional or institutional for problem resolution; develops strategies using information systems to manage and improve department effectiveness
Other duties as assigned
EDUCATION
Required: Bachelor's degree.
Preferred: Master’s degree.
EXPERIENCE
Required: Seven years of progressive and responsible healthcare / research or business management experience to include three years in a management role. With Master's degree, five years of progressive and responsible healthcare, research or business management experience to include three years in a management role. Successful completion of the LEADing Self Accelerate and/or LEADing Self Discover programs may substitute for one year of required supervisory or management experience. Completion of both programs can be substituted for a maximum of two years of supervisory or management experience.
Preferred: Extensive academic, clinical, and research operations experience is preferred. Candidates should demonstrate complex clinical and financial research expertise, including direct clinical research finance experience and a comprehensive understanding of service line activities. A proven track record of executing initiatives effectively, developing innovative solutions to complex challenges, and exhibiting strong decision-making and leadership capabilities is essential for success in this multifaceted role.
Excellent organizational skills and the capacity to manage a large number of competing priorities are required. The role demands exceptional communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly and effectively to a broad range of stakeholders, foster open dialogue, and facilitate collaborative efforts that drive results.
Experience coordinating and overseeing human resources activities including hiring, onboarding, promotions as well as direct people management, is critical. Additionally, the ability to collaborate on initiatives to grow demand, strategically transform operations, and contribute to institutional growth through innovative planning and partnership development will be key to excelling in this position.
OTHER
Required: Must pass pre-employment skills test as required and administered by Human Resources.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.
This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.
It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html
