Program Manager ECLIPSE

Program Manager The primary purpose of the Program Manager position is to apply technical expertise and scientific background and to manage and oversee the research activities of philanthropic and industry sponsored awards for ECLIPSE. Responsibilities include management of the program, coordination of large-scale research studies, management of scientific and clinical related activities, implementation of necessary workflows to ensure milestones are achieved in a timely manner, and general administrative support. In collaboration with the ECLIPSE Directors, Faculty, and scientists, the position will develop, prepare, track, and submit mandated progress reports, coordinate compliance issues, and handle research operations. The position will also assist in the development of scientific planning for the platform. The position will maintain professional and cooperative relationships with business partners, administrators, research scientists/investigators, platform members, Core Laboratory Directors, and other executive level healthcare and academic professionals to ensure efficient communication, follow-through, and coordination such that scientific short/long range goals are met. The position will act as a designate of the Directors at both departmental and institutional levels. The ideal candidate has experience in strategic program leadership, research coordination, budgeting, and cross-functional collaboration, with a science background preferred. What We Offer? 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 Functions: Administration: Support Alliance partnerships as Program Manager or Alliance Manager, particularly by ensuring necessary workflows are implemented to maintain timelines, taking meeting minutes, working with colleagues in Legal/business development/compliance, managing invoicing budgeting, creating meetings slides, and scheduling and attending meetings regularly with key stakeholders to the project. Provide administrative oversight and assistance in the development and evaluation of large, programmatic grants (e.g., P01, U54, SPORE, T32 and CCSG grants); participate in related strategic planning committees and program retreats, as needed. Ensure that strategic and tactical plans for the ECLIPSE activities are developed and executed effectively and efficiently. Develop and implement the business development strategies, including corporate partnerships, philanthropic, licensing, and entrepreneurial opportunities. Ensure that research activities are aligned with strategic priorities. Direct the ongoing development and presentation of the ECLIPSE strategic, operating, and staffing plans, both long- and short-term, as needed to assure achievement of defined outcomes and targets. Serve as liaison between investigators, institutional officials, Alliances, and granting agency officials. Implement, review, and report on business development plans, ensuring the strategic objectives are well understood and executed. Develop and lead the business development activities in identifying, managing and implementing new collaborative opportunities with potential partners (e.g. pharmaceutical companies). Actively engage, cultivate, and manage corporate relationships to ensure efficient execution and achievement of milestones. Develop and maintain collaboration with outside stakeholders and with all staff, partners and regulatory or other official bodies (e.g. FDA). Operational: Collaborate with staff, physicians, and faculty both internally and externally, drive industry collaborations. Coordinate human resources planning and activities for personnel to include personnel budget activities, determining selection standards and processes and hiring activities. Support the ECLIPSE administration with recruitment, promotion, and administrative development. Develop metrics to measure and report upon research outcomes for experimental and/or new research initiatives. Collaborate with Regulatory and QA officials to define best practices and implement certification and compliance as applicable. Ensure ECLIPSE compliance with required MD Anderson training and other employment requirements. Research Support: Perform project analyses and evaluate resources, outcomes, and obstacles to project completion. Act as a resource to identify opportunities for new research initiatives, including those that involve collaborations within MD Anderson and extramurally. Assist with developing strategies for securing philanthropic funding and the application process for that funding. Participate in departmental and institutional related committees/meetings. Provide advice and resource information for long-term strategic planning of ECLIPSE research initiatives, including options, directions, funding sources, and feasibility. Negotiate with vendors to bring or make available new technologies and services. Support clinical sample acquisition, material transfer agreements, and domestic/international shipping needs. Support activities focused on annual lab safety inspections and bulk lab supplies ordering. Budgetary/Financial: Develop, direct and manage the annual budget and justification of expenditures. Responsible for the development and oversight of a variety of internal and external multi-year funding sources. Direct and manage, in collaboration with the Finance Team, the post-award funds and fund allocation across multiple grant projects/components and report appropriately. Develop short and long-range projections and financial plans, maintain appropriate analyses and adjust where appropriate. Prepare annual donor reports, as required, for philanthropic funds. Present and/or assist in the preparation of presentations. Act as an information resource to investigators and staff. Oversee compliance activities. Core Leadership Competencies & Strategic Skills: Ability to impact both strategically and tactically on financial planning and administration. Demonstrated strong communication skills, interpersonal skills, and a superior drive for results. Excellent written, oral, interpersonal and presentation skills and the ability to effectively interface with senior management and staff. Demonstrated skills and comfort in proactively building relationships with potential partners. Excellent judgement and creative problem-solving skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution skills. Other duties as assigned. Education: Required: Bachelor's Degree Preferred: Master's Degree Experience: Required: Five years related experience to include three years program management. With master's degree, three years related experience. May substitute required education degree with additional years of equivalent experience on a one to one basis. Preferred: Experience in strategic program leadership, research coordination, budgeting, and cross-functional collaboration, with a science background preferred.

Created: 2026-03-10