Cancer Center Director of Finance and Administration

Job Summary:

The University of Colorado Cancer Center (Center) is seeking a Director of Finance & Administration. Located on the Anschutz Medical Campus, the Center is Colorado’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center, a distinction recognizing its contributions to basic research, clinical trials, prevention, and cancer control research. The Center’s adult clinical partner, University of Colorado Hospital, is ranked among the nation’s top 15 hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, and Children’s Hospital Colorado is ranked eighth nationally in pediatric cancer care by the same organization. The Center is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), an alliance of leading cancer centers that develops and advances evidence-based cancer care guidelines. It is also a member of the Oncology Research Information Exchange Network (ORIEN), a research partnership among leading North American cancer centers that integrates multiple data sources and helps match patients with targeted treatments. The Center is a consortium of approximately 260 researchers and physicians across three state universities and three clinical institutions, united by a vision to prevent and cure cancer while serving as a global model for patient care, interdisciplinary research, and training.

The Director of Finance & Administration has primary responsibility for the Center’s administrative and financial functions. This includes developing and implementing the Center’s strategic plan, goals, performance outcomes, and budgets; developing and executing policies; and overseeing the NCI Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG). As a member of the senior leadership team, the ADA/DFA acts on behalf of the Director when necessary.

The DFA oversees the Center’s daily administrative and financial operations and provides leadership that advances collaboration with academic and healthcare partners. The Center employs approximately 280 technical and administrative staff, supports over 300 full and mentored faculty members, and provides partial financial support for approximately 30 faculty members who lead programs and manage resources across the Center.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic oversight and leadership for the Center’s administrative and financial operations, including financial management; grants and contracts administration; human resources; clinical research operations, including OCRST and the Cancer Clinical Trials Office; internal information technology; space management; communications and public relations; and general administration.

• Lead and develop a management team with expertise in finance, research administration, clinical research, information technology, and communications.

• Oversee NCI CCSG activities, including preparation and submission of the application.

• Lead the Center’s strategic planning, including development, revision, implementation, and monitoring of the strategic plan.

• Oversee the management of Center Shared Resources, including prioritization, staffing, financial performance, and user satisfaction.

• Support the Center’s community outreach and engagement initiatives and its cancer research training and education efforts.

• Manage philanthropic funds and partner with the Advancement Office on fundraising, outreach, and donor relations.

• Represent the Center before institutional leaders, advisory bodies, state and federal government entities, external public and private organizations, fundraising organizations, and advocacy groups.

• Represent the Center on relevant boards and committees of member organizations, including ACCA, NCCN, ORIEN, and AACI.

• Facilitate collaboration within the Center, across partner institutions, and with external organizations.

• Participate, as appropriate or required, in School of Medicine and campus planning and operational management activities.

Work Location:

Hybrid – this role is eligible for a hybrid schedule of which can be negotiated with the Cancer Center Director once training for the position is complete.

Why Join Us:

At the University of Colorado Anschutz Cancer Center, patients and families receive compassionate, world-class cancer care in Colorado from nationally and internationally recognized experts. Our collaborative teams deliver the best possible outcomes through innovative treatments, groundbreaking cancer research, and access to leading-edge clinical trials.

We are proud to be Colorado’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI) Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center - a distinction that reflects the highest standards in cancer research, prevention, and patient care. We are also a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), where our cancer experts help set the standard for cancer treatment nationwide.

Our multidisciplinary approach unites specialists across fields to create comprehensive, individualized treatment plans, strengthened by our clinical partnerships with UCHealth, Children’s Hospital Colorado, and the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center. We not only treat and research cancer in humans but partner with the Colorado State University Flint Animal Cancer Center, the largest animal cancer center in the United States.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options

• Dental: Multiple plan options

• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision

• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay

• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year

• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)

• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)

• Holiday Days: 15/year

• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses

• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, psychology, business, public administration, healthcare, educational technology, social science, liberal arts, communications, accounting, finance, library science, or a directly related field from an accredited institution,

• Eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional experience in finance, business administration, operations, or a related field, including significant responsibility for financial management, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.

• Four (4) years of management or supervisory experience, including responsibility for leading teams, managing complex administrative operations, and/or overseeing financial functions.

• Experience managing complex financial operations involving multiple funding sources, such as institutional funds, sponsored research, clinical revenue, philanthropy, gifts/endowments, and/or other restricted and unrestricted funds.

• Experience working in a complex healthcare, academic medical center, research, or similarly matrixed environment.

  • An advanced degree (Masters or Doctorate) may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis if the degree is in a field of study directly related to the work assignment.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in business administration, public administration, healthcare administration, cancer biology, or a related field from an accredited institution.

• Ten (10) years of relevant leadership experience in a large academic medical center, preferably within an NCI-designated cancer center, including experience with fund management, budgeting, and forecasting.

• Experience with oversight and management of an NCI-CCSG award, including experience with submitting a competitive renewal or initial submission.

• Experience leading organizational strategic planning initiatives.

• Experience supervising employees, including management-level staff.

• Experience providing administrative leadership in a grant-funded academic institution, with particular emphasis on federal awards.

Conditions of Employment:

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship. We are unable to provide work visa sponsorship or employment authorization for this position now or in the future.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated expertise in financial management, budgeting, and forecasting.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Excellent interpersonal, collaboration, and relationship-management skills.

• Thorough knowledge of federal requirements governing NCI cancer center grants and related programs.

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position

2. Curriculum vitae / Resume

3. Three to five professional references, including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address

Questions should be directed to: Makeedra Keith at Makeedra.Keith@cuanschutz.edu

Screening of Applications Begins:

Immediately and continues until November 2, 2026.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as  $160,000-$227,540

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@cuanschutz.edu​.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.