Program Manager

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is a world-renowned institution dedicated to cancer patient care, research, education, and prevention. Through groundbreaking scientific discoveries and innovative treatment approaches, UT MD Anderson advances efforts to eliminate cancer and improve patient outcomes worldwide.

The Department of Immunology at UT MD Anderson seeks to determine the fundamental cellular and molecular mechanisms by which the body recognizes and eliminates pathogens and to apply those findings to develop immune-based therapies for previously treatment-resistant cancers. The Executive Assistant plays a critical role in supporting departmental leadership, faculty, and key initiatives. The Executive Assistant coordinates complex administrative operations, strategic projects, and leadership activities that advance the department's mission. The Executive Assistant serves as a trusted partner to leadership while ensuring seamless daily operations across the department and affiliated programs.

The ideal candidate will have prior administrative support experience. Demonstrated experience providing high-level administrative or executive support and ability to interact professionally and effectively with senior leadership, faculty, staff, and internal and external stakeholders is highly desirable.

Minimum $37.98/hour - Midpoint $47.60/hour - Maximum $57.21/hour
Work Location: Texas Medical Center
Schedule: Hybrid; expected to come onsite at least twice a week and additional based on business needs.

Why Us?
This position offers the opportunity to directly support internationally recognized leaders in cancer immunology while contributing to innovative scientific discoveries that advance cancer treatment. The role provides exposure to executive leadership, strategic planning, faculty recruitment, program management, and institutional initiatives, creating meaningful opportunities for professional growth while supporting a collaborative hybrid work environment.
• 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

Executive Support

• Assesses support needs, provides comprehensive administrative support, and manages day-to-day office operations for the Chair, Deputy Chair, select faculty, Immunology James P. Allison Institute (JPAI) members, and Department Administrator.
• Maintains ongoing coordination with JPAI administrative leadership to ensure continuity of the Chair's activities, alignment of priorities, and seamless management of scheduling, travel, and leadership engagements across roles.
• Serves as an effective problem-solving liaison for internal and external stakeholders, using strong interpersonal, decision-making, organizational, and planning skills.
• Prepares, processes, maintains, and approves documents necessary for effective departmental operations.
• Schedules meetings and teleconferences, polls attendees, prepares agendas, and distributes meeting materials.
• Manages calendars, travel, and expense reports for the Department Chair, Deputy Chair, select faculty, and Department Administrator.
• Composes formal and informal correspondence, reports, and presentations using strong writing, presentation, and grammatical skills.
• Assists the Chair with faculty evaluations, timeline communication, and related documentation.
• Supports leadership in coordinating strategic and programmatic initiatives, including those involving the JPAI.
• May supervise or provide direction to assigned staff.

Departmental and Program Management Support

• Coordinates departmental activities in alignment with institutional policies, strategic priorities, and programmatic goals.
• Plans and executes events, meetings, site visits, and stakeholder engagements for departmental, institutional, and JPAI audiences.
• Coordinates activities and communications between the Department of Immunology and JPAI to support shared initiatives and ensure alignment of priorities.
• Supports program management efforts involving faculty, departmental leadership, JPAI leadership, and institutional partners.
• Tracks program deliverables, deadlines, action items, and follow-up needs for key departmental and JPAI-related initiatives.
• Manages faculty administrative processes, including appointments, onboarding, promotions, awards, committee documentation, and related submissions.
• Assists with faculty recruitment efforts, including coordination of recruitment materials, recruitment grant applications, space requests, supporting documentation, candidate site visits, scheduling, logistics, and itineraries.
• Supports onboarding of new faculty, including orientation coordination and ensuring administrative readiness of assigned laboratory and office space.
• Coordinates with departmental, institutional, and JPAI stakeholders to prepare laboratory and office space for incoming Immunology and JPAI faculty in 1SCRB lab and office areas.

Project Management

• Leads and supports special projects for the Chair, Deputy Chair, select faculty, and Department Administrator.
• Coordinates projects across the Department, Division, other departments/divisions, JPAI, and institutional leadership to ensure timely completion and alignment with leadership priorities.
• Supports planning, execution, tracking, and reporting of strategic and programmatic initiatives, including those involving JPAI.
• Monitors progress on key initiatives and provides status updates, recommendations, and follow-up to leadership.
• Participates in strategic planning efforts and may represent leadership on committees or in meetings.

EDUCATION
Required: Bachelor's Degree
Preferred: Master's Degree

WORK EXPERIENCE
Required: Five years of related experience, including 3 years of program management experience; OR Three years of experience with a Master's degree
Preferred: Prior administrative support experience is a must. Demonstrated experience providing high-level administrative or executive support and ability to interact professionally and effectively with senior leadership, faculty, staff, and internal and external stakeholders is highly desirable.
May substitute required education degree with additional years of equivalent experience on a one-to-one basis

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: 182508
• Employment Status: Full-Time
• Employee Status: Regular
• Work Week: Day/Evening, Days
• Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 79,000
• Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 99,000
• Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 119,000
• FLSA: exempt and not eligible for overtime pay
• Fund Type: Hard
• Work Location: Hybrid Onsite/Remote
• Pivotal Position: No
• Referral Bonus Available?: No
• Relocation Assistance Available?: No

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