The Program Director of Network Operations – Radiation Oncology is a key strategic leader responsible for advancing the performance, growth, and integration of radiation oncology service lines. This role focuses on the multifactorial components and integrations required to drive and deliver world-class radiation care. The Director leads major initiatives including departmental rebuilding, hospital expansion, daily operations, interdisciplinary collaboration, launch of new clinical programs, and continued network development. A central responsibility is guiding the integration of the Dana-Faber and BIDMC radiation oncology departments, including the design and implementation of new workflows to support this collaboration. The Director will help to ensure strategic and operational alignment across all these functions to support exceptional patient access, experience, quality and outcomes.
Reporting to the Senior Operations Director, this leader partners closely with clinical, administrative, and functional leaders across Radiation Oncology and the broader Dana-Farber leadership structure to ensure strategic and operational alignment. The Director will drive transformational initiatives during a period of significant departmental evolution and institutional growth, including new sites, programs, technologies, and care models.
The ideal candidate brings a strong track record of leading complex operational improvement and strategic growth initiatives within radiation oncology, with exceptional relationship management and communication skills.
Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Transformation & Program Development: Work closely with the VP to lead the design and execution of transformational initiatives that advance Radiation Oncology’s clinical, operational, and strategic objectives, including the development of new programs, services, and care models. Oversee the integration of the Dana-Farber and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Radiation Oncology departments, ensuring consistent policies, procedures, and quality assurance measures are implemented across all sites. Drive large-scale change initiatives across the network, including adoption of new technologies, facilities, and treatment modalities such as proton therapy and inpatient programs. Identify emerging opportunities for program growth, clinical innovation, and service line expansion; partner with leadership to shape strategic direction and elevate standards of care. Develop and implement best practices for program start-up, expansion, and operational excellence, ensuring alignment with institutional objectives.
- Network Development & Expansion: Serve as a strategic liaison to current and prospective affiliate and satellite sites, building and sustaining strong professional relationships. Collaborate with the DFCI International Strategic Development office, serving as the primary departmental representative on projects involving Radiation Oncology. Support evaluation of new affiliations and satellite sites, including business proposal development, contract review, and onboarding processes. Coordinate departmental resources to meet network site needs, ensuring timely support, high satisfaction, and operational readiness. Facilitate ongoing communication between main campus leadership and affiliate sites to ensure alignment with operational, regulatory, and accreditation standards. Participate in planning, development, and execution of new or expanded business activities, including treatment capacity expansion, consulting, and educational service lines; prepare and present business plans, ROI analyses, and strategic documentation.
- Project Management & Operational Oversight: Oversee a diverse portfolio of projects, including technology implementation, infrastructure build-out, workflow redesign, and program launches, managing all phases from initiation to closeout. Collaborate with departmental and site leadership to prioritize projects, develop charters, work plans, schedules, budgets, and resource allocation plans. Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope and budget, and in compliance with institutional and regulatory requirements. Promote cross-functional collaboration across operations, resolving issues, driving consensus, and maintaining transparent communication with internal and external stakeholders. Oversee project documentation, risk management, workflow mapping, and change management to ensure stakeholder engagement and readiness for operational rollout. Provide operational oversight across Radiation Oncology services, monitor performance, identifying gaps, and implementing initiatives to drive efficiency, quality, and patient-centered care.
- Regulatory, Quality, and Compliance: Partner with departmental leadership to ensure consistency and alignment of policies, procedures, and best practices across all sites. Support implementation and monitoring of quality assurance initiatives, collaborating with operational and quality managers as needed. Ensure adherence to institutional, regulatory, and accreditation requirements in all programs, projects, and network expansions.
- Leadership, Communication, and Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as a central resource and strategic leader for project and network development initiatives; represent Radiation Oncology in institutional, collaborative, and external forums as appropriate. Provide regular status updates, project reviews, and performance metrics to department leadership. Coordinate and facilitate meetings with affiliate leadership and project stakeholders to ensure effective communication, issue resolution, and information dissemination. Support the integration of new technologies, facilities, and processes across the network, coordinating training, change management, and operational readiness. Foster professional growth and development of staff by providing mentorship, guidance, and educational opportunities, ensuring team engagement in advancing departmental strategic goals.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Deep knowledge of radiation oncology operations, workflows, technology, and terminology, including familiarity with treatment planning, delivery, and safety standards.
- Understanding of healthcare delivery systems, hospital/ambulatory operations, and regulatory requirements relevant to oncology services.
- Proven skills in strategic planning, business development, and network growth, including market assessment and program expansion.
- Strong project and program management skills, with the ability to lead complex, multi-site initiatives, manage timelines, and deliver results.
- Expertise in process improvement and change management (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma concepts), including redesigning workflows and implementing new care models.
- Financial and analytical skills, including budgeting, forecasting, performance measurement, and use of data to drive decisions.
- Exceptional relationship-building, stakeholder management, and collaboration skills across clinical, administrative, and executive groups.
- Advanced communication skills (written, verbal, and presentation) to convey complex information, influence decisions, and align diverse teams.
- Leadership abilities to inspire, coach, and hold teams accountable through periods of significant change and growth.
- Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and competing priorities.
- Demonstrated ability to integrate services across institutions or departments, including experience with joint ventures, partnerships, or multi-institution collaborations.
- High level of organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives.
- Proficiency with relevant technology and systems (e.g., EHRs, oncology information systems, data/analytics tools, project management software).
- Commitment to patient-centered care, quality, safety, and equity in access and outcomes.
- Political and cultural savvy, with the ability to work effectively in a complex academic medical center environment.
Minimum Job Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Radiation Therapy required.
- 10+ years of related experience in Radiation Oncology required.
- 5+ years relevant leadership experience overseeing staff required.
- Experience managing medium-to-large projects (project teams of 12-20 people) required.
- Experience with creating a safety/learning culture and building a strong QA/QI system required.
- Experience in business development, network expansion, or operational transformation in a healthcare environment preferred.
License/Certification/Registration Required:
- Valid Massachusetts State License in Radiation Therapy.
Supervisory Responsibilities: No
Patient Contact: No
Special Working Conditions:
- Hybrid role with a combination of remote and in-office work.
- Regular travel (approx. 10%) to network and affiliate sites (regional and occasional international), as project needs dictate.
- Fast-paced, multi-entity healthcare and academic environment.
- Occasional requirement to respond to urgent project or operational issues outside standard business hours.
At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are committed to having faculty and staff who offer multifaceted experiences. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and compassionate professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.
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Pay Transparency Statement
The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.
For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
$137,800.00 - $169,100.00
