Duke University Health System Job Description: |
| Job Title: DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS - ONCOLOGY SERVICES | Job Code: 5371 |
| FLSA: E | Pay Target: J2 |
| Date: 07/01/2026 | Supervisory Responsibility: Yes |
The Director, Operations - Oncology Services leads strategic growth initiatives, drives standardization and integration across care settings and partners closely with physician leadership, APPs, nursing, administrative leaders, and system stakeholders to deliver high-quality, patient-centered oncology care. The Director is responsible for clinical quality, patient access, experience, operational efficiency, financial stewardship, regulatory compliance, and workforce performance.
Strategic Leadership and Service Line Development
Provide strategic and operational leadership for oncology services across ambulatory, inpatient, and specialized program settings.
Develop and execute service line strategies to support growth, program expansion, and system integration.
Partner with DUHS and DCI executive leadership to implement organizational priorities and long-term strategic plans.
Lead development of business plans, growth strategies, and program initiatives, including advanced therapies and complex oncology services.
Represent oncology operations in system-wide committees, governance bodies, and external partnerships.
Maintain awareness of market trends, referral patterns, and emerging oncology practices to inform strategy and positioning.
Operational Oversight and Performance Management
Direct day-to-day operations across ambulatory clinics, inpatient oncology services, and multi-site oncology programs, ensuring efficient, high-quality care delivery.
Lead performance management processes to achieve organizational goals. Identify performance gaps and implement corrective actions to drive continuous improvement.
Define, monitor, and report key performance indicators (KPIs) related to quality, access, patient experience, and operational efficiency.
Standardize workflows, policies, and operational practices across care settings.
Prepare and present operational reports, trend analyses, and performance updates to leadership.
Ambulatory Operations and Patient Access
Oversee multi-site ambulatory oncology operations, ensuring consistency in care delivery, workflow design, and patient experience.
Lead access strategies, including template optimization, capacity planning, and achievement of access targets.
Partner with clinical and operational leaders to enhance patient experience and satisfaction.
Identify and remove barriers to care to ensure timely, equitable patient access.
Inpatient Oncology and Specialized Program Leadership
Provide administrative oversight for inpatient oncology services, including staffing models and operational performance of hospital-based care teams.
Oversee provider models (Hospitalists, Nocturnists, APPs) to ensure alignment with patient demand and operational efficiency.
Direct operations for highly specialized programs.
Chair or participate in governance and operational committees related to inpatient oncology and advanced therapy programs.
Financial Management and Resource Stewardship
Plan, manage, and monitor operational and capital budgets across oncology services.
Analyze financial performance, including volumes, RVUs, payer mix, contribution margins, and high-cost therapy economics.
Provide financial oversight for complex programs, ensuring appropriate authorization, reimbursement, and margin management.
Lead capital planning and prioritization aligned with strategic growth and program needs.
Partner with finance and leadership to develop pro formas, business cases, and investment strategies to support growth.
Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and optimize resource utilization.
Quality, Safety and Regulatory Compliance
Ensure compliance with all regulatory, accreditation, and licensure requirements across ambulatory and inpatient oncology operations.
Promote a culture of quality, safety, and continuous improvement across oncology services.
Monitor quality and safety outcomes and ensure timely implementation of corrective actions.
Partner with clinical and quality leadership to address patient safety events and improve outcomes.
Ensure adherence to DUHS policies, clinical standards, and evidence- based practices.
Maintain readiness for audits, surveys, and regulatory inspections.
Human Resources and Organizational Leadership
Provide leadership and direction for a complex, multi-layered organizational structure across ambulatory, inpatient, and administrative teams.
Oversee recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and development of leadership staff.
Lead workforce planning and development of staffing models to support clinical demand and growth.
Ensure competencies, performance evaluations, and professional development processes are effectively implemented.
Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, engagement, and high performance.
Data Analytics and Reporting
Utilize data analytics to drive decision-making, performance improvement, and strategic planning.
Monitor trends and generate reports on operational, financial, and quality performance.
Track program outcomes, including disease program performance and advanced therapy metrics.
Communicate insights and recommendations to executive leadership and stakeholders.
Leverage data to forecast demand and optimize performance.
Partnerships and System Integration
Serve as primary operational liaison to physician, APP and nursing leadership, ensuring alignment across clinical and operational priorities.
Collaborate across DUHS departments, regional sites, and external partners to ensure coordinated, integrated care delivery.
Partner with managed care, finance, regulatory, and external stakeholders on strategic initiatives, including advanced therapies.
Partner with ancillary services (e.g., radiology, pharmacy, laboratory) to ensure coordinated, efficient care delivery.
Strengthen relationships with referring providers, industry partners, and community organizations.
Administrative Responsibilities
Develop and implement policies and procedures to support operational consistency and compliance.
Prepare reports, analyses, and presentations reflecting operational performance and strategic initiatives.
Lead or support system-wide initiatives, special projects, and process improvement efforts.
Represent oncology operations in internal and external forums.
Perform other related duties incidental to the work described.
| Education: | Bachelor's degree required. Master's degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or related field strongly preferred. |
| Experience: | Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive healthcare leadership experience. At least three (3) years in a senior administrative role with responsibility for complex, multi-site or programmatic operations. Experience in oncology, inpatient/ambulatory operations, or advanced specialty programs preferred. Demonstrated experience managing complex programs, financial performance, and strategic initiatives. |
| Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification: | None |
| Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: | Healthcare Operations Strong knowledge of oncology operations across ambulatory and inpatient settings. Understanding of healthcare finance, access management, regulatory requirements, and complex care models. Leadership and Management Proven ability to lead in a highly matrixed, complex academic health system. Strong leadership, facilitation, and change management skills. Strategic Thinking Ability to develop and execute growth strategies and innovative program models. Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities. Communication and Collaboration Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to build strong partnerships across clinical, administrative, and external stakeholders. Performance Management Ability to utilize data to drive decision-making and continuous improvement. Demonstrated success leading large-scale performance improvement initiatives. |
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The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
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