Department Administrator Leukemia

University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 127,000 - 223,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-paid medical coverage

PTO & holidays

Tuition assistance

Pension plan

Job summary

University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is seeking a Department Administrator to lead the business, financial, operational, and administrative functions of a Leukemia department. The role serves as chief business officer, aligning with institutional priorities and supporting department success.

The ideal candidate will have experience managing budgets, strategic planning, grants administration, HR oversight, and operational improvement in academic healthcare or research settings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred.
• Experience leading administrative, financial, operational, and personnel functions.
• Strong budget management, strategic planning, grants administration, HR oversight, and operational improvement.

Responsibilities

• Review and administer departmental and programmatic budgets in accordance with institutional guidelines and strategic plans
• Monitor expense and income activity for all centers and ensure timely, accurate financial tracking
• Coordinate capital equipment requests and requisitions following approval processes
• Oversee preparation and coordination of grant proposals and contractual agreements
• Develop, implement, and evaluate departmental communication strategies
• Lead personnel management, including performance evaluations and development opportunities
• Collaborate with the Chair to develop long-term strategic business plans for the department

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Job description

University of Texas MD Anderson is a leading institution focused on cancer care, research, education, and prevention. The Department Administrator is a key leadership role responsible for overseeing the business, financial, operational, and administrative functions of an academic and clinical department. The Department Administrator serves as the primary administrator and chief business officer, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities while supporting departmental success.

Within Leukemia, the Department Administrator collaborates closely with department leadership, faculty, staff, and institutional partners to manage resources, support strategic initiatives, and promote operational excellence. The Department Administrator plays an essential role in advancing the mission of UT MD Anderson through effective financial stewardship, personnel leadership, and long-range planning.

The ideal candidate will possess experience leading complex administrative, financial, operational, and personnel functions within an academic, healthcare, research, or clinical environment. A strong background in budget management, strategic planning, grants administration, human resources oversight, and operational improvement is highly desirable. Education, experience, and licensure requirements were not provided; therefore, candidates should demonstrate qualifications aligned with the scope and complexity of the role.

Why Us?

• 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 & Operational Management

• Review and administer departmental and programmatic budgets in accordance with institutional guidelines and strategic plans
• Monitor expense and income activity for all centers and ensure timely, accurate financial tracking
• Reconcile chart field strings and evaluate monthly balances for financial accuracy
• Apply institutional and state guidelines related to purchasing, travel, check requests, and other expenditures
• Utilize institutional financial systems to monitor and analyze financial activity
• Conduct financial analyses for new and proposed programs through development of proformas
• Protect departmental assets, records, and property from losses, errors, and irregularities
• Prepare and provide required budgetary and financial reports
• Coordinate capital equipment requests and requisitions following approval processes
• Support financial planning, forecasting, and resource allocation decisions

Grant & Contract Management

• Oversee preparation and coordination of grant proposals and contractual agreements
• Review budget, staffing, and space requirements for grants prior to submission
• Monitor grant and contract activity for compliance with applicable regulations and deadlines
• Ensure timely processing of grant-related materials through appropriate divisional channels
• Manage administrative responsibilities associated with research programs and sponsored activities

Physical Resource & Operations Management

• Coordinate physical resource utilization, including space planning, inventory control, and property maintenance
• Assist with relocations, renovations, and facility planning initiatives
• Maintain the appearance and functionality of assigned departmental spaces
• Coordinate effectively with institutional departments and organizational peers to achieve goals
• Anticipate operational barriers and opportunities and develop plans to address them
• Organize and direct assigned operational areas and activities
• Develop, implement, and evaluate departmental communication strategies
• Promote effective information exchange across department, division, and institution

Personnel Management

• Ensure appropriate selection, orientation, utilization, and evaluation of personnel
• Conduct annual performance evaluations for direct reports using institutional systems
• Coordinate and support evaluations of indirect reports
• Develop and maintain performance standards focused on measurable job-specific outcomes
• Ensure employees maintain current position descriptions and performance expectations
• Provide ongoing coaching, performance feedback, and corrective action when needed
• Promote professional development, training, and continuing education opportunities
• Foster an environment that encourages employee engagement and high performance
• Make fair and consistent personnel-related decisions
• Recognize employee contributions and prepare requested workforce reports

Strategic Planning, Quality Assurance & Administrative Support

• Collaborate with the Chair to develop long-term strategic business plans for the department
• Develop, implement, and assess plans supporting long-term financial and operational goals
• Produce volume reports and serve as a liaison for marketing initiatives
• Manage multiple projects through accurate tracking of deadlines, progress, and stakeholder input
• Keep department leadership informed of project status and anticipated deadlines
• Design systems and processes that improve efficiency, effectiveness, and service quality
• Develop and maintain internal controls that protect departmental and institutional integrity
• Ensure compliance with health, fire, safety, and regulatory requirements
• Implement policies and procedures supporting staffing, grants management, academic appointments, recruitment, promotions, documentation requirements, and training programs
• Partner with information systems support teams to resolve connectivity and software issues and develop technology-based solutions that improve departmental effectiveness

Education

Required: Bachelor's Degree

Preferred: Master's Degree

Experience

Required: Seven years progressive and responsible healthcare / research or business management experience to include three years in a management role. With Master's degree, five years 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 requirements: 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

Additional Information

• Requisition ID: 183382
• Employment Status: Full-Time
• Employee Status: Regular
• Work Week: Days
• Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 127,400
• Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 175,200
• Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 223,000
• FLSA: exempt and not eligible for overtime pay
• Fund Type: Hard
• Work Location: Hybrid Onsite/Remote
• Pivotal Position: Yes
• Referral Bonus Available?: Yes
• Relocation Assistance Available?: Yes