Director, Stem Cell Transplant & Cell Therapy Programs

About the Role

The Clinical Program Director (CPD) for the Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy (SCTCT) Program provides visionary leadership, strategic planning, and operational oversight for all clinical aspects of the SCTCT program. The CPD ensures the highest standards of patient care and safety in alignment with institutional priorities and the Foundation for Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) requirements. The CPD drives evidence-based practice, fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, and leads programmatic growth across inpatient, outpatient, and apheresis services.

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all clinical functions of the SCTCT Program, ensuring excellence in patient care, safety, and compliance.
• Directly leads and manages programmatic staff, including the Cellular Therapy Clinical Program Manager, Quality Manager, Clinical Nurse Managers, RN Transplant Coordinators, Data and Registry Analysts, and other assigned team members.
• Provides dotted-line administrative leadership and collaboration with roles and services across the SCTCT continuum, including pharmacy, outpatient infusion, apheresis, stem cell laboratory, case management, social work, and financial counseling.
• Establishes and maintains clinical policies, procedures, and workflows that meet or exceed FACT, FDA, Joint Commission, and institutional requirements.
• Partners with the SCTCT Quality Manager, Medical Director, and institutional quality leaders to design, monitor, and evaluate quality metrics, conduct audits, and lead continuous improvement initiatives.
• Leads efforts in onboarding and management of commercial cellular therapy products, ensuring staff credentialing, REMS compliance, and clinical readiness.
• Oversees SCTCT programmatic meetings, ensures effective communication, and facilitates collaboration with Mays Cancer Center leadership, research, pharmacy, and inpatient units.
• Monitors the SCTCT annual operating and capital budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with strategic growth objectives.
• Directs workforce planning, recruitment, and professional development of program staff, fostering a culture of learning and patient-centered care.
• Benchmarks clinical outcomes and operational performance against peer institutions to identify opportunities for innovation and program growth.
• Oversees the development and execution of SCTCT education and competency programs for clinical team members.
• Leads preparation for accreditation, inspection, and certification activities to ensure sustained compliance and program readiness.
• Collaborates with research leadership to integrate clinical and research operations and advance access to innovative therapies.
• Serves as a key liaison for the SCTCT program within UT Health San Antonio and to external partners.
• Drives a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement to enhance patient outcomes and organizational growth.

Qualifications

• RN Registered Nurse State Licensure required.
• Master's degree required.
• Extensive knowledge of FACT standards, clinical operations, and regulatory compliance related to stem cell transplant and cellular therapy.
• Broad knowledge of modern healthcare administration practices within a managed care environment and/or academic medical center.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution.
• Demonstrated creativity, flexibility, and innovation in developing solutions and leading change.
• Ability to operate effectively in high-pressure, fast-paced clinical environments.
• Proven ability to lead complex clinical programs and motivate high-performing teams.
• Strong organizational, planning, and project management skills.
• Demonstrated effective managerial and administrative leadership of clinical operations.
• Effective analytical ability to develop and evaluate strategic solutions.
• Experience in financial oversight, including operating and capital budgets.
• Knowledge of negotiation principles related to service contracts and vendor management.
• Commitment to patient- and family-centered care, safety, and quality improvement.
• Ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and foster shared accountability.
• Ability to implement change in a positive and forward-thinking manner.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.

Additional Qualifications

• Current Texas Board of Nursing (or Compact State) RN license; or a Temporary Texas RN License (Permanent TX license within 90 days upon hire).

Required Skills

• Eight (8) years of professional nursing experience in BMT.
• Five (5) years of experience in a management position in a healthcare setting.