Associate Director, Therapeutic Operations

About the role

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is the world's leading cancer center, dedicated to exceptional patient care, innovative research, education, and prevention. Within Radiation Oncology Services, the Associate Director of Radiation Therapeutic Services provides leadership and oversight of key administrative and operational functions for an assigned clinic, ensuring efficient operations, exceptional patient access, and a high-quality patient experience. The role partners closely with physicians, nursing leadership, radiation therapy leaders, and operational stakeholders to coordinate clinical operations, optimize resources, support strategic growth initiatives, and advance departmental goals. The Associate Director serves as a critical operational leader driving access, capacity management, service delivery, and operational excellence across the Radiation Oncology enterprise.

Responsibilities

• Center Operations
  • Lead the development, implementation, and management of processes and systems supporting efficient and effective clinic operations
  • Collaborate with Medical Director(s), radiation therapy leadership, and nursing leadership to optimize clinic performance
  • Foster trust and collaborative relationships with physicians, nurses, therapists, staff, and other team members
  • Participate in daily tiered readiness briefings and communicate operational delays related to machine downtime, facility issues, or clinical challenges
  • Identify operational barriers and develop strategies to address challenges and leverage opportunities
  • Supervise patient care operations with emphasis on scheduling and customer service
  • Provide strategic oversight to patient access and scheduling operations to achieve cycle time, productivity, capacity, and access goals
  • Serve as the administrative leader during center clinical operation meetings and report on key performance indicators related to volume, quality, safety, patient satisfaction, and facility initiatives
• Personnel Management
  • Directly supervise the Supervisor, Outpatient Services - Radiation Therapeutics Scheduling and Administrative Coordinator
  • Manage staff performance through coaching, training, evaluations, development planning, and ongoing feedback
  • Establish performance expectations and promote accountability for departmental and operational goals
  • Support employee engagement, talent development, and succession planning
  • Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and patient-centered service
• Operational Finance
  • Manage all financial aspects of assigned clinic operating areas, including ambulatory clinics, radiation treatment centers, surgical procedures, and clinical support services
  • Optimize revenue performance while controlling operational expenses
  • Lead decision-making, strategic planning, variance reporting, and financial forecasting for assigned clinic and service lines
  • Monitor and analyze referral patterns and treatment trends to support operational efficiency and financial performance
• Facilities & Space Planning
  • Provide operational guidance to radiation leadership regarding clinic operations
  • Ensure effective utilization of space, assets, facilities, and inventory resources
  • Collaborate with the capital projects administrative director regarding center capital projects and operational impacts
  • Lead center space committee activities and support workforce transformation objectives
  • Supervise and authorize clinical and administrative space allocations
  • Oversee center rounding activities and partner with stakeholders to resolve facilities, environment-of-care, and infrastructure issues
• Service Line Leadership
  • Provide operational oversight for multiple Radiation Oncology service lines
  • Partner with service line leadership to support departmental, divisional, and enterprise priorities
  • Collaborate with faculty, administrative leaders, and clinical leaders to integrate operations, capacity management, access optimization, and growth initiatives
  • Identify opportunities for alignment, collaboration, and operational integration across service lines
  • Develop and utilize operational, financial, and analytical tools to evaluate performance and support strategic planning
  • Monitor treatment trends, modality utilization, patient access, capacity utilization, cycle times, throughput, and operational metrics
  • Identify growth opportunities and drive continuous operational improvement initiatives

Requirements

• Education
  • Required: Bachelor's Degree in Business, Finance, Healthcare Administration, or related field
  • Preferred: Master's Degree in Business, Finance, Healthcare Administration, or related field
  • May substitute required education degree with additional years of equivalent experience on a one-to-one year basis
• Work Experience
  • Required: 5 years of health care or business management experience in a professional setting, including three years of supervisory experience
  • 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 substitute for a maximum of two years
  • Preferred: Experience in a leadership role preferably in an academic medical center or hospital environment in Radiation Oncology, including direct experience developing, coordinating, and promoting oncology operations and compliance
• Other Requirements
  • Must pass pre-employment skills test as required and administered by Human Resources
  • 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 such requirements is a condition of hire and continued employment

Benefits

• Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week
• 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
• Access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups
• Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System
• Voluntary retirement plans
• Employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs
• Meaningful leadership opportunities, collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, and measurable impact on patient care while supporting professional growth and work-life balance

Pay

Hourly range: Minimum $51.20/hour – Midpoint $63.94/hour – Maximum $76.68/hour. Annual salary