Advertising Program Director

University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston (TX); Remote; USD 92,000 - 139,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cancer treatment and research institution is seeking an Advertising Program Director to lead advertising strategies and campaigns. The candidate should have a Bachelor’s degree and at least seven years in brand awareness or philanthropic campaigns. Responsibilities include overseeing campaigns, managing budgets, and leading teams to enhance brand awareness and drive engagement. This position offers a competitive salary and benefits, including paid medical and time off.

Benefits

Paid employee medical benefits

Group Dental, Vision, Life and Disability coverage

Tuition Assistance Program

Retirement plans

Wellness programs

Qualifications

• At least seven years of experience in brand awareness and philanthropic outreach campaigns.
• Two years of supervisory or managerial experience.
• Strong background in advertising.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic development of advertising programs.
• Manage comprehensive advertising campaigns.
• Develop actionable plans to optimize campaigns.

Skills

Project management

Advertising strategy

Digital advertising

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field

Job description

Overview

The Marketing Department at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX plays a vital role in advancing the institution's mission to end cancer. With a focus on strategic communications, brand stewardship, and patient engagement, the team crafts campaigns that highlight groundbreaking research, compassionate care, and community impact. Through digital innovation, storytelling, and data-driven insights, they connect patients, families, and supporters with the life-saving work happening every day.

Position

The Advertising Program Director leads the strategic development and execution of philanthropic and cause-related advertising programs that elevate the MD Anderson brand and drive engagement across local, regional, and national audiences. The role manages comprehensive advertising campaigns that support philanthropic efforts, major development initiatives, signature events, brand awareness, key service lines, research promotion, and sponsorships. Through targeted advertising and integrated marketing strategies, the Program Director creates campaigns that build brand awareness and affinity, directly support fundraising goals, and contribute to patient acquisition and institutional growth.

This leader provides strategic guidance to organizational leaders on advertising and marketing initiatives, ensuring alignment with Institutional Affairs and broader priorities. The Program Director develops actionable plans to optimize campaign production and performance, oversees concept and message testing in partnership with the research team, and manages external agencies to execute strategies effectively. The role includes comprehensive campaign tracking and measurement, ensuring marketing efforts deliver measurable results across brand awareness, patient acquisition, fundraising, and event participation, while managing a substantial advertising budget with hands-on oversight.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree and at least seven years of experience managing, developing, and executing brand awareness and philanthropic outreach campaigns, advertising, and/or direct marketing campaigns. They should have at least two years of supervisory or managerial experience and a strong background in advertising. Experience with digital advertising is also preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with teammates in Marketing, Philanthropy, and Institutional Affairs, and across the organization, to align strategy, messaging, implementation, and analytics.
• Develop strategy and provide day-to-day management for multiple campaigns including philanthropic efforts, major development initiatives, signature events, brand awareness, key service lines, research promotion, and sponsorships.
• Align with direct response teams to ensure cohesive messaging, maximize audience reach, and support fundraising and engagement goals across all channels.
• Serve in a management and leadership role within the Marketing department and Institutional Affairs division.
• Lead and participate in cross-functional teams supporting organizational initiatives.
• Recruit, manage, and mentor direct reports, multiple vendors, and agency relationships.
• Track and report key program metrics, including brand awareness, marketing-influenced donations, events registration, marketing-influenced patient leads and arrivals, campaign engagement, and other effectiveness measurements.
• Direct the operations of multiple advertising programs with independent judgment and authority as required.

Key Functions

Comprehensive Advertising and Marketing Programs

• Lead strategy, development, and implementation of programs to increase brand awareness, raise fundraising revenue, drive patient volume to key service lines, and support partner marketing programs and institutional priorities. Manage tactical advertising plans for MD Anderson.
• Develop and manage advertising plans to promote fundraising activities around philanthropy efforts and drive participation in signature events, such as the MD Anderson Boot Walk to End Cancer, including strategy, execution, management, measurement, and optimization.
• Review and guide philanthropic advertising, emails, and other publications for alignment with brand standards.
• Collaborate with colleagues across departments to understand campaign goals and ensure alignment of advertising as a subject matter expert.
• Evaluate, maintain, and communicate advertising aspects of campaign results and effectiveness.
• Manage agency partners to develop and manage creative development, media plans, testing, and other components of campaigns.
• Ensure on-time and on-budget launch of advertising support and continuous optimization.
• Develop presentations, lead cross-functional teams, manage projects, and coordinate research in support of marketing plans.

Project Management & Planning

• Determine and manage marketing and advertising needs and lead marketing initiatives.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Strategic Communications, External Affairs, Philanthropy, and other internal departments and external agencies to develop and manage media plans, creative tactics, testing, and other campaign components.
• Engage in regular project meetings to ensure integration across divisions and teams.
• Uphold MD Anderson's brand standards and messaging guidelines.
• Work with clients to ensure efficient processes and compliance with internal guidelines to protect and promote the MD Anderson brand.

Measurement

• Manage ROI by tracking advertising and marketing program efficacy and analyzing key metrics.
• Coordinate with agency partners and internal stakeholders to ensure accurate delivery for broadcast, print, and digital media and implement tracking mechanisms.
• Work with Brand Health and other teams to capture confirmation processes and track key conversions.
• Report metrics and analytical findings to stakeholders and incorporate findings into ongoing plans.

Budget & Vendor Management

• Assist in hands-on management and stewardship of a substantial advertising budget, serving as back-up to the Director of Marketing for budget planning, reconciliation, and communication with IA and Marketing finance teams.
• Develop and manage budget for Marketing programs and ensure vendor payments and reconciliation.
• Manage external agency relationships, including selection, contract management, and evaluation.

Staff Management & Leadership Development

• Manage the advertising marketing program coordinator.
• Provide development opportunities and ongoing feedback to employees, including timely evaluations.
• Provide clear direction and communication to employees.
• Demonstrate cultural competence to create an open environment for staff.
• Participate in the selection of new team members.
• Mentor employees and colleagues, sharing business, marketing, and professional skills.
• Attend departmental and team meetings and participate in leadership and professional development activities.

Additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Paid employee medical benefits (zero premium) starting on first day for employees working 30+ hours per week
• Group Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D and Disability coverage
• Paid time off (PTO) and Extended Illness Bank (EIB) accruals
• Paid institutional holidays, wellness, childcare leave, and other paid leave programs
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service
• Retirement plans and related benefits
• Extensive wellness and employee health programs

Education & Experience

Required: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration or related field.

Work Experience: Five years of project/program management experience. Additional years of equivalent experience may substitute for education on a one-to-one basis. A preferred degree may substitute for two years of required experience.

Must pass pre-employment skills test as required by Human Resources.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers benefits, including medical, dental, and paid time off. This position may be responsible for maintaining security and integrity of critical infrastructure as defined by policy.

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, or any other basis protected by policy or law.

Additional Information

• Requisition ID: 176920
• Employment Status: Full-Time
• Work Week: Days
• Salary: 92,500 - 138,500 USD
• FLSA: exempt and not eligible for overtime pay
• Work Location: Remote (within Texas only)
• Pivotal Position: Yes
• Referral Bonus Available?: Yes

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