Associate Administrator - Upstate Cancer Center

Upstate Medical University invites accomplished cancer center and oncology service line leaders to apply for the role of Associate Administrator for the Upstate Cancer Center—a unique opportunity to help shape the future of cancer care across Central New York as the top administrative leader of oncology services.

The Upstate Cancer Center is the region’s most comprehensive and rapidly expanding oncology program, serving a 17-county area through a growing network of state-of-the-art facilities. Anchored in a multidisciplinary, disease-based care model, the Center brings together expert teams across surgical, medical, and radiation oncology to deliver highly coordinated, personalized care. With continued investments in advanced technologies, clinical trials, and regional access points—including new outpatient and community-based locations—the Cancer Center is redefining how and where cancer care is delivered.

Job Summary

The Associate Administrator will play a pivotal leadership role in advancing a high-performing, academically integrated cancer program that is both locally accessible and nationally competitive. This leader will collaborate closely with the Cancer Center Director, physician leadership, and executive administration to drive strategic growth, operational excellence, and programmatic innovation across all Cancer Center sites.

This is a highly visible role for a leader energized by the opportunity to:

• Expand access to comprehensive cancer care across urban, suburban, and rural communities
• Strengthen a distributed regional network of oncology services
• Support the integration of cutting-edge therapies, clinical trials, and emerging technologies into patient care
• Enhance patient-centered care delivery across a complex, multi-site system
  
  

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for all Cancer Center services and locations, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and long-term growth strategies
• Drive program development and expansion initiatives that increase access, elevate quality, and strengthen market position across Central New York
• Partner with clinical and physician leaders to support multidisciplinary care models and tumor-specific programs
• Oversee operations to ensure high-quality, efficient, and patient-focused care delivery across the continuum
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards, including Commission on Cancer requirements;
• Develop programmatic elements aligned with NCI comprehensive cancer center designation framework.
• Advance initiatives that improve patient experience, outcomes, and care coordination
• Promote physician and employee engagement in a high-performing, mission-driven environment
• Ensure financial sustainability and operational effectiveness of a complex and growing oncology enterprise
  
  

Why This Role Matters

The Upstate Cancer Center is more than a clinical program—it is a regional health anchor transforming cancer care delivery. Through its integrated research platform, expanding clinical trials portfolio, advanced treatment capabilities, and commitment to community outreach, the Center is improving outcomes and reducing barriers to care for thousands of patients across Central New York.

The Associate Administrator will play a central role in continuing this trajectory—helping to build a regional oncology system that delivers academic-level care close to home, advances innovation, and improves the health of the communities it serves.

Minimum Qualifications

Masters degree in Business Administration, Health Administration, Nursing or related health care field required. Minimum of 7 years progressive management experience in a health care setting required. Demonstrated leadership, articulate and professional communication skills, advanced analytical acumen, and high-professional written/oral communication skills required. Established track record of success in health service administration responsibilities that include building strong medical staff relationships, provision of human resource development and succession plans, navigating health care growth and services project planning, finance and reimbursement.

Preferred Qualifications

Health system, hospital and/or ambulatory care experience preferred. Experience in leadership support for service provision of outpatient oncology services provided by multidisciplinary care team. Candidates with health services growth and expansion experience including; familiarity with facility and regulatory requirements, CON, business proposal development, and project oversight are preferred. Prefer candidates with polished negotiation skills, high emotional intelligence and self-awareness of leadership style. Ideal candidate will embody such characteristics that contribute to a positive culture such as; active listening, strong conflict resolution and creative problem solving, patience and empowerment.

Work Days

Monday-Friday, days

Message To Applicants

This position has been refreshed; originally posted on 5/29/26.

Recruitment Office: Human Resources