Administrative Director, CNS Tumor Program, School of Medicine

CNS Tumor Program Administrative Director

Department of Neurosurgery | Duke University School of Medicine

Be You.

The Duke Department of Neurosurgery is seeking an accomplished administrative leader to guide the financial, clinical, research, academic, and operational work of its CNS tumor programs. In this highly visible role, you will help advance the missions of the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center and the Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis through strategic planning, financial stewardship, faculty support, and program development.

You will work across clinical, research, academic, administrative, and philanthropic teams to translate program priorities into coordinated plans and measurable results. This role is well suited for a collaborative leader who can manage complexity, build strong partnerships, and create the infrastructure needed for continued growth and innovation.

Minimum Requirements:

• Education that meets Duke University requirements for the assigned administrative leadership classification.
• Requires at least nine years of progressively responsible administrative management experience, including budgeting, grants and contracts, personnel supervision, and space and facilities management.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or master's degree in healthcare, business administration, public administration, finance, or related field.
• Leadership experience in an academic medical center, healthcare system, cancer program, research enterprise, or similarly complex organization.
• Experience with strategic planning, budgeting and forecasting, clinical performance measures, research administration, faculty support, philanthropy, space planning, or program growth.
• Strong judgment, communication, relationship-building, and project management skills.

This position is

• Hybrid eligible. The position (exempt only) has opportunity for limited remote work, and the employee must reside in a Duke University-approved state.

Be Bold.

What You Will Do

• Direct long-range planning, policy development, and implementation for CNS tumor programs, aligning priorities across patient care, translational research, education, and program growth.

• Manage program financial strategy with department finance partners, including operating and capital budgets, forecasting, financial analysis, sponsored research portfolios, non-operating funds, and philanthropic resources.

• Monitor and communicate performance trends across academic, research, and clinical programs, including key clinical metrics, faculty compensation planning, clinic utilization, and financial performance.

• Lead administrative operations and resource planning, including staff management, space and facilities coordination, equipment and procurement oversight, and optimization of program infrastructure.
• Build strong partnerships among faculty, departmental and institutional leaders, the Cancer Service Line Practice Administrator, research administration teams, development officers, and external collaborators.

Key Areas of Responsibility

Strategic Leadership, Communication, and Program Development

• Formulate and implement strategic plans, policies, and procedures that support the mission and goals of the CNS tumor programs.

• Collaborate with clinical, research, and academic leaders to establish priorities for patient care, translational studies, and educational programs.

• Represent the programs in institutional planning and external partnerships that support growth, philanthropy, and research innovation.

• Serve as a liaison among faculty, departments, and external partners, and support coordination with clinical operations leadership.

Financial Management and Budget Oversight

• Develop and manage operating and capital budgets with department finance support, including forecasting, analysis, and reporting.

• Monitor clinical and academic financial performance against budget, including non-operating funds and sponsored research activity.

• Review key financial and clinical trends and recommend improvements across academic, clinical, and research programs.

• Oversee alignment of philanthropic resources with program priorities and provide managerial oversight for development staff.

Research Administration and Academic Support

• Support translational research and research projects funded in part through philanthropy.

• Provide administrative and financial support for fellowships, continuing education, and other academic programs in alignment with institutional and accreditation standards.

• Partner with the Research Administrative Support Resource to monitor and support sustainable faculty research portfolios.

• Support clinical and basic science faculty recruitment, onboarding, and promotion activities in coordination with departmental leaders.

Operations, Facilities, and People Leadership

• Oversee daily administrative operations that support research and academic programs.

• Coordinate space planning, facilities, equipment inventories, laboratory footprint, and renovations in partnership with the Scientific Research Lab Manager.

• Oversee procurement and equipment acquisition processes in accordance with institutional policies.

• Lead hiring, onboarding, training, performance management, and professional development for administrative, communications, laboratory management, and development staff.

• Advise department and program leaders on faculty-related administrative needs, including compensation and bonus planning.

Compliance and Quality

• Promote compliance with institutional, state, and federal requirements related to healthcare operations, translational research, and data management.

• Develop and maintain policies and procedures that support patient safety, confidentiality, ethical conduct, and accreditation expectations.

• Coordinate quality improvement activities and other projects that respond to evolving department, School of Medicine, and clinical enterprise needs.

The statements above describe the general nature and level of work performed in this role. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties.

Choose Duke.

At Duke, you will join a collaborative academic environment where clinical care, discovery, education, and service come together to improve outcomes for people with tumors of the central nervous system. This role offers the opportunity to shape strategy and operations across two mission-driven programs while partnering with leaders throughout the Department of Neurosurgery, the School of Medicine, and Duke Health.

Application Review

Screening will continue until the position is filled.