Program Operations Director

The UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center hosts several major events and yearly community events which require strong outcomes and careful planning and attention to detail in collaboration with the community relations team and various stakeholders. All areas of the Center offer areas of expertise including marketing, community events, and logistics to ensure successful events for our Center. The Program Operations Director serves as the senior administrator for the all major community events and will manage and coordinate all business operations by providing advanced professional and technical leadership and expertise. They oversee all day-to-day administrative and management functions for all facets of the major community events including the launch of the annual fundraising event, while setting strategic directions, operational policies and procedures, budget development and oversight, collaboration of staff, and setting a strategic time line to ensure a successful outcome with participation, fundraising, collaboration with all Center units and increase community awareness for our Cancer Center. The Program Operations Director works closely with senior leaders throughout UNM as well as directors in the Center and community partners to promote the strategic goals of the Center's events.

Job Duties/Description

• Provides senior level management of all business operations and administration for all facets the major community events including but not limited to:
  • Develops and manages annual budgets, projections and cost analysis; ensures best purchasing practices and compliance; develops, recommends, negotiates, and administers complex contracts and proposals; evaluates and awards bids and proposals.
  • Ensures compliance with all university, state, and federal laws, policies, and regulations.
  • Manage in conjunction with other key senior staff the logistics operations for the major community events . Partners with all levels of staff as needed to effectively accomplish the goals and objectives of the Lobo Cancer Challenge. event. Works closely with consultant to ensure training and mentoring and to train existing staff members in various units as we determine areas each unit will take ownership and execute the day of the Lobo Cancer Challenge and major community events.
  • Collaborates with all senior staff, delegating assignments and ensuring high quality results.
• With Lobo Cancer Challenge event, heavy emphasis on rider recruitment and team registration and event logistics.
• Provides direction and coordination in the planning, development, and implementation of the Center's community event (Lobo Cancer Challenge) in close cooperation with a 3rd party consultant. Works to develop and implement short and long-range goals and objectives, and policies and procedures. Monitors and evaluates progress and effects changes when required for improvement.
• Provides comprehensive management of over $1.M event goal in partnership with our event consulting team and fundraising team. Provides leadership in planning, development, and implementation of strategies and initiatives to generate additional funding for the Center and its programs based on the careful execution of the major event and other major community events.
• Designs and implements effective communication processes for the Center in collaboration with the Leadership, Managers, web developer and consulting administrator. Partners with marketing unit to develop content and "look and feel" of the all-Center events and websites and aides in the development and production of marketing and outreach materials.
• Oversees consultants and collaborators to ensure work is completed in a high quality and timely manner.
• Organizes and oversees multiple community events and meetings including consultants and interested parties involved in various events.
• Performs other miscellaneous job-related duties designed to contribute to achievement of the overall mission, goals, and objectives of the Center as assigned.
• Set strategies for recruiting, training and operating a large volunteer base.
• Skill set should include but not limited to: strong organizational skills, assembling volunteers from internal units and corporate sponsors, self-motivated and creative problem-solving skills.

The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center is the Official Cancer Center of New Mexico and the only National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center in a 500-mile radius. Its 136 board-certified oncology specialty physicians include cancer surgeons in every specialty (abdominal, thoracic, bone and soft tissue, neurosurgery, genitourinary, gynecology, and head and neck cancers), adult and pediatric hematologists/medical oncologists, gynecologic oncologists, and radiation oncologists. They, along with more than 600 other cancer healthcare professionals (nurses, pharmacists, nutritionists, navigators, psychologists and social workers), provide treatment to 65% of New Mexico's cancer patients from all across the state. And they partner with community health systems statewide to provide cancer care closer to home. In 2024 they treated more than 15,000 patients in almost 105,000 ambulatory clinic visits in addition to in-patient hospitalizations at UNM Hospital. A total of 2,075 patients participated in cancer clinical trials to study new cancer treatments that include tests of novel cancer prevention strategies and cancer genome sequencing. The more than 123 cancer research scientists affiliated with the UNM Cancer Center were awarded $38.3 million in federal and private grants and contracts for cancer research projects. Since 2015, the physicians, scientists and staff have provided education and training experiences to more than 750 high school, undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral fellowship students in cancer research and cancer health care delivery.

Website: unmhealth.org/cancer

See the Position Description for additional information.

• Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University's influenza vaccination requirement.

Bachelor's degree; at least 5 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Leadership & Strategy

• 8-12+ years of progressive experience in event management, fundraising, or nonprofit leadership, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role
• Proven ability to develop and execute long-term event and fundraising strategies aligned with organizational mission and revenue goals
• Experience leading high-performing teams, including staff, vendors, and volunteers

Healthcare / Academic Environment

• Experience working in an academic medical center, healthcare system, or cancer-focused nonprofit
• Understanding of patient-centered storytelling and mission-driven messaging, especially in oncology
• Ability to navigate complex institutional environments with multiple stakeholders

Operational Excellence

• Expertise in budgeting, financial forecasting, and ROI analysis for events and campaigns
• Strong project management skills with the ability to oversee multiple complex events simultaneously
• Experience with event technology platforms, CRM systems (e.g., Run Sign Up)

Partnerships & External Relations

• Proven track record securing and managing community partnerships
• Strong relationship-building skills with donors, board members, physicians, researchers, and community leaders

Marketing & Communications

• Ability to collaborate with marketing teams on integrated campaigns (digital, social, email, PR) that drive participation and fundraising
• Experience leveraging storytelling, branding, and participant engagement to grow event impact

Equity & Community Engagement

• Experience designing inclusive events that engage diverse communities
• Understanding of health equity and ability to align events with community outreach goals

Education & Credentials

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in nonprofit management, business administration, public health, or related field preferred

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Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.