Program Director - Head & Neck Surgery
- Requisition #: 182439
- Department: Head & Neck Surgery - Research
- Location: Houston, TX
- Posted Date: 8/14/2026
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Surgery division is dedicated to advancing oncologic surgery through safe, high-quality, multidisciplinary patient care, research, and education. The division is composed of 10 specialized academic departments and includes surgeons, advanced practice providers, researchers, and administrative professionals. The Research Program Manager will work closely with partners across the institution, particularly Perioperative Services and Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Medicine to support research operations and strategic initiatives. The Research Program Manager plays a critical role in coordinating complex translational and clinical research activities that support the division's mission.
UT MD Anderson is one of the world's leading centers focused exclusively on cancer patient care, research, education, and prevention. Through innovative clinical research and multidisciplinary collaboration, UT MD Anderson advances discoveries that improve outcomes for patients and communities worldwide. The Research Program Manager will contribute to strategic research growth, operational excellence, and scientific advancement across a dynamic academic healthcare environment.
The ideal candidate will possess a PhD in Biology, extensive experience managing translational and clinical research programs, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment. Preferred qualifications include demonstrated expertise in scientific program development, research administration, clinical research oversight, financial management, and collaboration with multidisciplinary stakeholders. The successful candidate will be adaptable, strategic, and comfortable addressing evolving research challenges and opportunities.
Salary: Minimum $ 92,500.00 - Midpoint $ 115,500.00 - Maximum $ 138,500.00
Why Us?
This role offers the opportunity to contribute directly to groundbreaking cancer research while supporting strategic initiatives that improve patient outcomes. The position provides broad exposure to clinical and translational research, collaborative partnerships across disciplines, leadership opportunities, professional development, and meaningful contributions to UT MD Anderson's mission of eliminating cancer through outstanding programs in patient care, research, education, and prevention.
• 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
Scientific & Strategic Program Management
• Develop strategic and tactical plans supporting ongoing research activities and long-term programmatic initiatives
• Lead multidisciplinary and multi-investigator research programs across institutional and external partners
• Coordinate development and implementation of multi-institutional consortium networks and collaborations
• Establish and strengthen relationships with institutional, departmental, and extramural collaborators
• Analyze operational processes and implement workflow optimization strategies to improve efficiency and productivity
• Monitor active research projects and maintain systems tracking deliverables, milestones, and timelines
• Develop and oversee systems, policies, and procedures supporting clinical and translational research protocols
• Coordinate advisory boards, planning committees, retreats, and collaborative research meetings
• Serve as liaison to pharmaceutical companies, community physicians, partner institutions, and sponsoring agencies
• Participate in departmental and institutional committees and present program initiatives as assigned
Research Administration
• Oversee pre-award and post-award management of grants, contracts, clinical studies, and research programs
• Direct development and submission of complex NIH, CPRIT, institutional, and philanthropic funding applications
• Prepare integrated scientific, administrative, and supporting grant application documents
• Review, edit, and revise funding applications, progress reports, and research communications for compliance and accuracy
• Develop grant timelines, reporting schedules, progress tracking systems, and compliance monitoring tools
• Prepare presentations, strategic plans, business plans, reports, and research documentation
• Coordinate RPPR submissions, progress reports, no-cost extensions, closeout activities, and sponsor documentation
• Serve as liaison between investigators, institutional offices, and sponsoring agencies
• Identify funding opportunities supporting strategic extramural and philanthropic initiatives
Clinical Research & Regulatory Oversight
• Coordinate clinical research protocols from development through activation and ongoing study conduct
• Collaborate with research and regulatory teams to submit protocols and regulatory documents to oversight entities
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies, sponsor requirements, Good Clinical Practice standards, and federal regulations
• Monitor enrollment activity, study progress, reporting timelines, compliance requirements, and operational milestones
• Develop and maintain quality assurance systems supporting regulatory compliance
• Support audit readiness and maintenance of required regulatory documentation
• Maintain current knowledge of applicable regulations, GCP guidelines, eligibility requirements, and disease processes
Financial & Budget Administration
• Develop, manage, and monitor proposal budgets, award budgets, financial reports, projections, and reconciliations
• Conduct budget analyses and provide recommendations regarding resource allocation and financial planning
• Collaborate with investigators and finance teams on budgetary decisions affecting research programs
• Coordinate financial tracking, cost center oversight, invoicing, and research-related financial activities
• Ensure compliance with institutional and sponsor financial guidelines and requirements
Leadership & Personnel Management
• Serve as a consultant and lead project teams as needed
• Provide operational oversight and supervision of assigned personnel
• Coordinate workload prioritization and operational assignments across research support staff
• Facilitate communication among research, clinical, regulatory, and administrative teams
• Develop and deliver education regarding administrative, operational, and quality requirements
• Support onboarding and training activities related to research administration and clinical study operations
• Coordinate educational initiatives for research personnel
• Communicate institutional policies and procedures through formal and informal methods
• Attend departmental meetings, continuing education programs, and other assigned engagements
• Complete special projects, reports, and additional duties as assigned
EDUCATION
WORK EXPERIENCE
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
#LI-Hybrid
UT MD Anderson is one of the world's leading centers focused exclusively on cancer patient care, research, education, and prevention. Through innovative clinical research and multidisciplinary collaboration, UT MD Anderson advances discoveries that improve outcomes for patients and communities worldwide. The Research Program Manager will contribute to strategic research growth, operational excellence, and scientific advancement across a dynamic academic healthcare environment.
The ideal candidate will possess a PhD in Biology, extensive experience managing translational and clinical research programs, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment. Preferred qualifications include demonstrated expertise in scientific program development, research administration, clinical research oversight, financial management, and collaboration with multidisciplinary stakeholders. The successful candidate will be adaptable, strategic, and comfortable addressing evolving research challenges and opportunities.
Salary: Minimum $ 92,500.00 - Midpoint $ 115,500.00 - Maximum $ 138,500.00
Why Us?
This role offers the opportunity to contribute directly to groundbreaking cancer research while supporting strategic initiatives that improve patient outcomes. The position provides broad exposure to clinical and translational research, collaborative partnerships across disciplines, leadership opportunities, professional development, and meaningful contributions to UT MD Anderson's mission of eliminating cancer through outstanding programs in patient care, research, education, and prevention.
• 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
Scientific & Strategic Program Management
• Develop strategic and tactical plans supporting ongoing research activities and long-term programmatic initiatives
• Lead multidisciplinary and multi-investigator research programs across institutional and external partners
• Coordinate development and implementation of multi-institutional consortium networks and collaborations
• Establish and strengthen relationships with institutional, departmental, and extramural collaborators
• Analyze operational processes and implement workflow optimization strategies to improve efficiency and productivity
• Monitor active research projects and maintain systems tracking deliverables, milestones, and timelines
• Develop and oversee systems, policies, and procedures supporting clinical and translational research protocols
• Coordinate advisory boards, planning committees, retreats, and collaborative research meetings
• Serve as liaison to pharmaceutical companies, community physicians, partner institutions, and sponsoring agencies
• Participate in departmental and institutional committees and present program initiatives as assigned
Research Administration
• Oversee pre-award and post-award management of grants, contracts, clinical studies, and research programs
• Direct development and submission of complex NIH, CPRIT, institutional, and philanthropic funding applications
• Prepare integrated scientific, administrative, and supporting grant application documents
• Review, edit, and revise funding applications, progress reports, and research communications for compliance and accuracy
• Develop grant timelines, reporting schedules, progress tracking systems, and compliance monitoring tools
• Prepare presentations, strategic plans, business plans, reports, and research documentation
• Coordinate RPPR submissions, progress reports, no-cost extensions, closeout activities, and sponsor documentation
• Serve as liaison between investigators, institutional offices, and sponsoring agencies
• Identify funding opportunities supporting strategic extramural and philanthropic initiatives
Clinical Research & Regulatory Oversight
• Coordinate clinical research protocols from development through activation and ongoing study conduct
• Collaborate with research and regulatory teams to submit protocols and regulatory documents to oversight entities
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies, sponsor requirements, Good Clinical Practice standards, and federal regulations
• Monitor enrollment activity, study progress, reporting timelines, compliance requirements, and operational milestones
• Develop and maintain quality assurance systems supporting regulatory compliance
• Support audit readiness and maintenance of required regulatory documentation
• Maintain current knowledge of applicable regulations, GCP guidelines, eligibility requirements, and disease processes
Financial & Budget Administration
• Develop, manage, and monitor proposal budgets, award budgets, financial reports, projections, and reconciliations
• Conduct budget analyses and provide recommendations regarding resource allocation and financial planning
• Collaborate with investigators and finance teams on budgetary decisions affecting research programs
• Coordinate financial tracking, cost center oversight, invoicing, and research-related financial activities
• Ensure compliance with institutional and sponsor financial guidelines and requirements
Leadership & Personnel Management
• Serve as a consultant and lead project teams as needed
• Provide operational oversight and supervision of assigned personnel
• Coordinate workload prioritization and operational assignments across research support staff
• Facilitate communication among research, clinical, regulatory, and administrative teams
• Develop and deliver education regarding administrative, operational, and quality requirements
• Support onboarding and training activities related to research administration and clinical study operations
• Coordinate educational initiatives for research personnel
• Communicate institutional policies and procedures through formal and informal methods
• Attend departmental meetings, continuing education programs, and other assigned engagements
• Complete special projects, reports, and additional duties as assigned
EDUCATION
- Required: Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., life sciences, public health, health administration, or related discipline).
- Preferred: Master's Degree Business Administration, Healthcare Administration or related field or PhD in one of the natural sciences or medical degree
WORK EXPERIENCE
- Required: Five years Project/program management experience.
May substitute required education degree with additional years of equivalent experience on a one to one basis.
Preferred degree may substitute for two years of required experience. - Preferred: Eight years Project/program management experience to include supervisory experience. With preferred master's degree, four years scientific or experimental research experience to include one year as a project manager. With preferred PhD or Medical degree, two years scientific, experimental or related clinical specialty experience.
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: 182439
- Employment Status: Full-Time
- Employee Status: Regular
- Work Week: Days
- Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 92,500
- Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 115,500
- Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 138,500
- FLSA: exempt and not eligible for overtime pay
- Fund Type: Soft
- Work Location: Hybrid Onsite/Remote
- Pivotal Position: Yes
- Referral Bonus Available?: Yes
- Relocation Assistance Available?: Yes
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