Program Manager - Surgical Oncology

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is seeking a Program Manager to support the Young-Onset Gastrointestinal (YO-GI) Cancer Program within the Gastrointestinal Oncology service line. The Program Manager will play a central role in launching, coordinating, and sustaining a comprehensive clinical, research, and patient support program focused on individuals diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancers at or under the age of 50. The Program Manager will collaborate closely with faculty leadership, multidisciplinary clinical teams, research partners, and institutional stakeholders to advance program goals across the care continuum.

The Program Manager role at UT MD Anderson is embedded within a mission-driven academic medical center dedicated to eliminating cancer through integrated patient care, research, prevention, and education. The Program Manager will directly manage initiatives, data, and finances that support innovative clinical care models, translational research, and patient-centered services designed to address the unique needs of young-onset GI cancer patients.

The ideal candidate is a proactive and independent professional with a strong background in program management, project coordination, and stakeholder engagement, ideally within healthcare, academic medicine, or research settings. This individual brings experience managing complex initiatives from concept through implementation, demonstrates strong analytical and organizational skills, communicates effectively with diverse audiences, and is comfortable serving as a primary point of contact for leadership committees, collaborators, and external partners.

Salary range: Minimum $79,000.00 – Midpoint $99,000.00 – Maximum $119,000.00 annually

The typical work schedule is 8:00am–5:00pm, with flexibility between 7:00am–6:00pm as needed.
Work Location: Hybrid, with 2–4 days on campus depending on program needs.

Why Us? This is a unique opportunity to help establish and grow a foundational program with the potential to become a nationally recognized leader in young-onset gastrointestinal cancer care and research. The Program Manager will contribute directly to improving outcomes and quality of life for a growing and underserved patient population while gaining broad exposure to clinical innovation, research development, and institutional collaboration at UT MD Anderson. • 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.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Management
• Manage all projects aligned with YO-GI Program goals across clinical care, research, and patient support initiatives
• Identify and implement strategies to increase local, regional, and national referrals for early-onset GI cancers
• Coordinate access to multidisciplinary consults and ancillary services
• Implement standard genetic testing in coordination with the Clinical Cancer Genetics Program
• Implement universal somatic molecular profiling using solid and/or liquid platforms
• Coordinate collection of tissue and blood samples for future research
• Build and support a multidisciplinary clinical trials pipeline including neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and metastatic studies
• Launch and maintain a longitudinal research repository
• Standardize care pathways throughout UT MD Anderson
• Develop a patient support network, patient-facing website, and patient-centered educational conference

Project Leadership & Strategy
• Advance investigator-initiated projects from concept through implementation
• Develop project timelines, deliverables, and progress reports for leadership
• Evaluate program performance and develop strategic business plans
• Develop print materials, proposals, grants, and publications supporting program goals
• Serve as the primary point of contact and manage agendas, materials, and presentations for GI Service Line Leadership and Steering Committee meetings

Analysis & Finance
• Regularly review and report program progress using Key Performance Indicator data
• Oversee financial management of all program budgets and track financial impact of interventions
• Analyze and interpret scientific data for proposals, grants, abstracts, and manuscripts
• Manage salary expenses, faculty effort, and supply expenses associated with the program
• Identify and apply for federal and private foundation funding opportunities
• Liaise with funding agencies regarding eligibility and submissions
• Ensure effective utilization of program personnel and space

Staff & Operations Management
• Recruit, hire, evaluate, and discipline staff supporting the program
• Provide training and professional development opportunities
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies and procedures
• Develop and maintain quality assurance mechanisms
• Coordinate with Institutional Advancement and Development on marketing, outreach, and philanthropy initiatives

Other Duties
• Represent the department professionally within and outside the institution
• Maintain organized records, files, and documentation
• Perform special projects as requested by program leadership or department administration