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Senior Administrative Assistant - Thoracic Head and Neck
Senior Administrative Assistant
The Senior Administrative Assistant supports the Thoracic Head & Neck department by providing advanced administrative, operational, and business support to faculty, administrators, and research teams. The Senior Administrative Assistant plays a key role in coordinating clinical, research, and programmatic activities within a complex academic and healthcare environment, ensuring efficient workflows and adherence to institutional standards. The Senior Administrative Assistant works closely with faculty and staff to support departmental priorities and time-sensitive initiatives.
MD Anderson Cancer Center is a leading institution focused on cancer care, research, education, and prevention. As one of the world’s most respected cancer centers, MD Anderson integrates patient care, research, and prevention while advancing education for students, trainees, professionals, and the public. The Senior Administrative Assistant contributes directly to this mission by enabling faculty and programs to operate effectively in support of patient care and scientific discovery.
The ideal candidate for the Senior Administrative Assistant role is an experienced administrative professional with strong organizational, communication, and coordination skills, demonstrated ability to support senior faculty and multidisciplinary teams, and the judgment to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced academic or research setting.
Minimum $21.88 – Midpoint $27.40 – Maximum $32.93 (hourly equivalent based on a 40-hour work week)
Why Us?
This role directly supports MD Anderson’s mission to eliminate cancer by enabling high-impact clinical, research, and academic initiatives within the Thoracic Head & Neck department. The position offers meaningful collaboration with faculty and institutional partners, exposure to cutting-edge research, and opportunities for professional growth while supporting work-life balance in a mission-driven 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
Strategic Planning & Administrative Support
• Perform clerical and administrative functions for assigned faculty, department administrators, and staff, including compiling reports and composing correspondence
• Proactively manage calendars for clinical and research faculty to support meetings, seminars, working groups, collaborations, conferences, and events
• Coordinate and manage outside visitors, including speakers, VIPs, and external guests, for in-person and virtual engagements
• Resolve day-to-day administrative issues that impact program operations and timelines
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and trainees to support time-driven plans for program initiatives
Laboratory & Research Administration Support
• Coordinate and design meetings with research teams, including staff, trainees, and administrative partners
• Coordinate and design executive meetings with industrial partners
• Provide administrative support to laboratory-based research teams
• Manage orders and expenses for laboratory operations
• Coordinate laboratory-based recruitment activities
Business Operations & Program Support
• Prepare presentations, reports, letters, memos, graphs, and other documents in accordance with program standards
• Coordinate meetings, prepare materials, document summaries, and track action items to completion
• Develop meeting agendas, maintain attendance records, and follow up on agenda items
• Manage travel approvals, expense documentation, and reimbursements in compliance with institutional guidelines
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies related to funding stewardship, conflict of interest, and fiscal responsibility
Grants, Publications & External Engagement
• Assist with the development and coordination of research grant and clinical trial business documents
• Obtain and maintain biographical sketches and key personnel documentation
• Assist with manuscript submissions and manage an EndNote library, ensuring accurate formatting and publication follow-through
• Manage memberships, schedules, and communications for committees, advisory boards, collaborators, and industry partners
• Support confidentiality disclosure agreements and conflict-of-interest documentation in coordination with legal and research services
EDUCATION
- Required: High School Diploma or Equivalent
- Preferred: Associate's Degree or
- Preferred: Bachelor's Degree
WORK EXPERIENCE
Required: Five years Administrative/secretarial experience or Three
years Required experience with Associate's degree
- Required: One year Required experience with Bachelor's degree.
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.
