Director Implementation Science Jobs in Houston, TX

The mission of The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research and prevention, and through education for undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, professionals, employees and the public.

Summary

In partnership with the Vice President of Research Operations, the Office of the Chief Scientific Officer, and Facilities leadership, this position provides strategic and administrative leadership for all research space and property management activities in support of the mission of MD Anderson Cancer Center. Responsibilities include oversight of research facilities planning, design and construction, research equipment acquisitions, maintenance and operations, and the renovation and modernization of research spaces.

Under the direction of the Vice President of Research Operations and in alignment with the Chief Scientific Officer, this leader develops and executes strategies that support institutional and programmatic priorities. The role oversees the delivery of comprehensive facilities services, including space administration, capital and operational project management, facilities planning, and operational excellence across assigned research facilities. Working collaboratively with executive leadership and key stakeholders, the incumbent builds strong partnerships and promotes integrated, institution-wide solutions to advance MD Anderson's research mission and objectives.

Key Functions

• Lead strategic planning, allocation, utilization, and governance of research space across the research enterprise.
• Partner with Research Operations, Facilities leadership, and subject matter experts to oversee planning, design, construction, renovation, and activation of research facilities and infrastructure projects.
• Execute the Research Master Facilities Framework, including oversight of the South Campus research buildout and other strategic facility initiatives, while optimizing space utilization and developing collaborative research neighborhoods.
• Develop and implement research space policies, standards, and metrics to support transparent, data-driven

decision-making.

• Oversee capital and non-capital projects, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, operational excellence, sustainability, and high-reliability principles.
• Serve as the research operations representative and advocate for major facility projects, including infrastructure planning, construction quality, regulatory compliance, and future-state research facility development.
• Evaluate facility impacts of capital equipment acquisitions, laboratory relocations, and faculty recruitment initiatives to ensure responsible stewardship of institutional resources.
• Benchmark facilities and research infrastructure practices against leading institutions to identify opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to support the long-term transformation of the research enterprise through effective facilities planning and operational readiness.
• Lead the development of executive summaries, business plans, strategic analyses, presentations, and project-related documentation to support executive decision-making, institutional planning, and research facilities initiatives.
• Represent the Chief Scientific Officer and Research Operations on institutional committees, task forces, and leadership forums, while leading enterprise-wide research emergency operations, business continuity planning, and operational readiness efforts to ensure continuity of the research mission during planned and unplanned events.
• Foster collaborative partnerships across the institution and promote professional development, innovation, and

continuous improvement within research operations and facilities programs.

Education

Required: PhD in Natural sciences or related field. Candidates with a master's degree and significant leadership experience in research operations, facilities planning, or related fields may be considered.

Experience

Required: Minimum of five (5) years of experience leading and managing research operations or facilities in an academic medical center, including five (5) years of direct supervisory responsibility. Management experience must demonstrate progressive advancement in role, scope, and operational complexity.

Preferred: Seven (7) or more years of progressive leadership experience in facilities management within a research environment, including a minimum of five (5) years of direct supervisory responsibility. Experience must demonstrate sustained advancement in scope, operational complexity, and organizational impact, with increasing levels of management accountability over time.