Associate Vice President, Chief Academic Office Administration

The mission of The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research, and prevention, and through education for undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, professionals, employees, and the public.

The Associate Vice President (AVP), Chief Academic Office Administration, reporting directly to the Chief Academic Officer (CAO), is responsible for leading the strategic development, operational management, and administrative functions of the Chief Academic Office. This role emphasizes innovation, strategic alignment, and data-driven decision-making to advance academic, research, and clinical excellence.

Key responsibilities include driving the development and implementation of academic strategies, managing academic affiliations with external organizations, and optimizing faculty-related databases and processes. The AVP will oversee the creation of innovative software solutions and the development of advanced dashboards, delivering actionable insights into academic performance, research productivity, and clinical impact.

The AVP will also supervise key personnel within the CAO's office, ensuring their work aligns with institutional priorities and supports the broader mission. This role includes oversight of the Faculty Senate, facilitating effective collaboration with faculty leaders to align governance and strategic goals. Additionally, the AVP will manage academic finances, ensuring fiscal responsibility and strategic resource allocation to support academic and research initiatives.

This position requires exceptional technical expertise, leadership skills, and a deep understanding of academic, research, and clinical environments. The AVP serves as a key leader in integrating strategy with operational excellence, fostering a culture of innovation, and enhancing institutional performance through effective administration and collaborative leadership.

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

1. Strategic Thinking

• Demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to identifying opportunities for innovation and improvement within academic programs and processes.
• Aligns analytics and software development initiatives with institutional objectives, ensuring that efforts support broader goals in education, research, and clinical excellence.
• Capable of assessing both immediate and long-term impacts of strategic initiatives, adapting plans to evolving institutional priorities.

2. Leadership and Management

• Proven ability to lead and inspire high-performing teams, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Skilled in developing and mentoring personnel within academic and administrative environments, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and institutional values.
• Drives the adoption of data-driven decision-making across various operational areas, facilitating integration with broader organizational strategies.

3. Financial Expertise and Resource Management

• Budget Planning and Oversight: Demonstrates advanced skills in creating, managing, and optimizing budgets for academic, research, and administrative initiatives, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and fiscal responsibility.
• Resource Allocation: Expert in strategic allocation of financial and operational resources to maximize impact and drive institutional priorities.
• Cost-Benefit Analysis: Proficient in evaluating the financial viability of new programs, projects, and investments through rigorous cost-benefit analysis and forecasting.
• Financial Reporting and Compliance: Ensures transparency and accuracy in financial reporting, adhering to institutional policies and regulatory requirements.
• Strategic Financial Planning: Leads multi-year financial planning initiatives, integrating analytics and predictive modeling to inform long-term decision-making.
• Operational Efficiency: Identifies opportunities for cost savings and operational enhancements, balancing fiscal discipline with organizational growth.
• Collaboration with Stakeholders: Works closely with departmental leaders, faculty, and finance teams to align financial strategies with institutional priorities.

4. Technical Expertise

• Demonstrates proficiency in managing and optimizing complex faculty databases to ensure data integrity, accessibility, and alignment with institutional needs.
• Deep knowledge of software development, implementation, and optimization for academic and institutional applications, including the ability to integrate new technologies seamlessly into existing systems.
• Expert in designing, building, and maintaining sophisticated dashboards and data visualization tools, enabling faculty and leadership to monitor performance and trends effectively.
• Keeps abreast of emerging technologies and innovations, applying them to enhance operational efficiency and data-driven insights.

5. Analytical Skills

• Strong capacity to interpret and synthesize metrics related to academic performance, research productivity, and clinical outcomes to generate comprehensive insights.
• Demonstrates expertise in utilizing data to identify trends, predict outcomes, and inform long-term strategic decision-making.
• Ensures that analytics initiatives align with institutional priorities, providing leaders with actionable, high-impact recommendations.

6. Support for Academic Affairs and Education & Training

• Thorough understanding of the distinct needs and goals of Academic Affairs and Education & Training departments, with an emphasis on enhancing faculty development and institutional training programs.
• Leverages data analytics to support curriculum optimization, resource allocation, and program assessment.
• Works collaboratively with departmental leaders to develop innovative solutions that align analytics with academic and training objectives.

7. Communication and Collaboration

• Exceptional communication skills, ensuring clarity and engagement when interacting with faculty, leaders, and cross-departmental teams.
• Strong collaborative mindset to integrate data analytics and software solutions effectively across academic and research functions.
• Actively engages stakeholders in Academic Affairs and Education & Training to ensure alignment with strategic goals, fostering partnerships that drive success.

8. Knowledge of Academic, Research, and Clinical Environments

• Deep understanding of the operational and cultural dynamics of academic, research, and clinical settings, enabling tailored solutions to their unique challenges.
• Familiarity with faculty performance metrics, research benchmarks, and clinical deliverables, ensuring that data-driven initiatives address institutional priorities effectively.
• Stays informed about trends and best practices in academic and clinical operations to maintain institutional competitiveness.

9. Project Management

• Extensive experience planning, executing, and evaluating large-scale data and software initiatives, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with objectives.
• Adept at resource allocation, risk management, and cross-functional coordination, ensuring projects meet deadlines and achieve desired outcomes.
• Ensures that projects incorporate feedback loops and adaptability to meet evolving institutional needs.

10. Problem-Solving and Innovation

• Strong aptitude for diagnosing and resolving challenges in database management, analytics implementation, and software deployment.
• Employs creative thinking to develop and execute cutting-edge tools and processes that drive institutional enhancement.
• Anticipates future challenges and proactively develops innovative strategies to address them, ensuring organizational agility.

11. Organizational Alignment and Integration

• Demonstrates the ability to foster collaboration and alignment across Academic Affairs, Education & Training, and related organizational units.
• Creates synergies between academic analytics and institutional goals, ensuring that initiatives support broader objectives in education and training.
• Skilled at integrating strategic priorities into operational processes, driving unified progress across multiple departments.

12. Other Duties as Assigned

• Demonstrates flexibility and a proactive attitude in addressing evolving responsibilities and institutional needs.
• Adapts to emerging priorities and contributes to additional initiatives as directed by the Chief Academic Officer or institutional leadership.

SUPERVISION

Direct Supervision: Director, CAO Administration; Director, Academic Analytics & Technology; Associate Director, Academic Analytics & Technology; Project Director, Chief Academic Office; Program Manager, Faculty Senate; SrAA, Faculty Senate

Other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

Education: Master's Degree in a related field could also be suitable, especially for those with substantial experience in data management, analytics, or academic administration:

• Master of Science (MS) in Data Science, Information Systems, or Analytics and/or Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Preferred Education: Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.) in a relevant field, such as:

• Data Science
• Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on analytics or technology
• Public Health or Health Administration (for roles in academic medical centers)
• Computer Science or Information Technology (with a focus on data management or analytics)

Certification

Preferred Certification:

1. Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)

• A globally recognized certification for professionals working in the analytics field, emphasizing the ability to derive actionable insights and align analytics with strategic goals.

1. Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP)

• Ideal for those managing complex datasets, including faculty, research, and institutional databases, with a focus on data governance and strategic application.

1. Tableau Desktop Specialist or Certified Associate

• Relevant for creating advanced dashboards and data visualization solutions, crucial for strategic decision-making and communication with stakeholders.

1. Six Sigma Certification (Green Belt, Black Belt)

• Demonstrates expertise in process improvement and optimization, critical for driving innovation and efficiency in academic and institutional settings.

1. Project Management Professional (PMP)

• Validates the ability to manage complex projects, integrate strategic initiatives, and lead cross-functional teams effectively within academic and research environments.

1. Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) or Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) (Optional Addition)

• Reflects expertise in Agile project management methodologies, supporting the development of innovative solutions and adaptability in dynamic academic settings.

1. Leadership or Strategic Management Certifications (Optional Addition)

• Examples: Strategic Management Professional (SMP) or Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM)certifications, which emphasize leadership and strategic planning in organizational contexts.

1. Data Science or Advanced Analytics Certifications (Optional Addition)

• Examples: Google Data Analytics Certification, AWS Certified Data Analytics, or Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate, to highlight expertise in cutting-edge analytics and data technologies.

Other Skills and Qualifications:

• Expertise in data management, analytics software (e.g., SQL, Python, R, Tableau, Power BI), and academic enterprise systems (e.g., Learning Management Systems, Research Information Management Systems).
• Strong background in academic administration, including understanding the dynamics of faculty workflows, research environments, and clinical productivity.

Experience: 7-10 years of progressive leadership experience is required. This experience should ideally include:

1. Leadership in Academic or Research Settings

• Demonstrated success in leading teams or departments within academic, research operations, or clinical environments, with a focus on fostering innovation, collaboration, and excellence.
• Experience driving institutional or departmental initiatives that align with strategic goals and advance academic, research, or clinical missions.

2. Management of Data and Analytics Functions

• Proven ability to lead complex data analytics and software development projects, ensuring alignment with institutional objectives and promoting efficiency and impact.
• Experience implementing cutting-edge technologies and tools to optimize data visualization, reporting, and decision-making processes.
• Deep understanding of how data-driven initiatives can enhance academic performance, research productivity, and clinical outcomes.

3. Cross-Functional Leadership

• Adept at collaborating with a varied range of stakeholders, including faculty, academic leaders, research teams, and administrative staff, to achieve shared objectives.
• Proven ability to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical teams, fostering a common understanding of analytics' strategic value.
• Skilled at promoting cross-departmental synergy to drive innovation and institutional success.

4. Leadership Experience

• Extensive experience in direct oversight of personnel, with a focus on mentoring, development, and performance enhancement.
• Ability to build high-performing teams, cultivate talent, and align individual and team efforts with institutional priorities.

5. Strategic Planning and Implementation

• Demonstrated expertise in developing, articulating, and executing strategic plans that leverage data and analytics to improve institutional performance.
• Experience integrating analytics initiatives into broader organizational strategies, ensuring their relevance and sustainability.
• Skilled at setting measurable goals and using data to evaluate progress and adapt strategies as needed.

6. Change Management

• Proven success in leading and managing organizational change, with an emphasis on integrating new technologies, data systems, or analytics programs seamlessly into existing structures.
• Experience fostering a culture of adaptability and innovation during transitions, ensuring stakeholder engagement and long-term adoption of new processes.
• Skilled at identifying potential barriers to change and implementing strategies to address resistance and promote buy-in.

7. Innovation and Continuous Improvement

• Strong track record of introducing innovative tools, processes, and practices that advance institutional goals and operational efficiency.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, using data and analytics to identify opportunities for enhancement and drive impactful changes.
• Experience staying at the forefront of emerging trends and technologies, ensuring that institutional practices remain competitive and effective.

Onsite Presence: Hybrid

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: 172553
• Employment Status: Full-Time
• Employee Status: Regular
• Work Week: Days
• Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 0
• Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 0
• Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 0
• FLSA: exempt and not eligible for overtime pay
• Fund Type: Hard
• Work Location: Hybrid Onsite/Remote
• Relocation Assistance Available?: Yes

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