The Executive Director, Coding provides enterprise-wide strategic leadership and operational oversight for centralized coding functions within the patient revenue cycle. This role is accountable for driving coding accuracy, regulatory compliance, and financial performance while advancing quality outcomes that directly impact institutional rankings and reputation.
The Executive Director partners cross-functionally with Clinical Operations, Finance, Quality, Compliance, and Information Systems to align coding practices with organizational goals, optimize revenue cycle performance, and advance automation initiatives. This leader ensures adherence to regulatory requirements, leverages technology to enhance efficiency, and represents the organization in system-wide and industry forums. The Executive Director is responsible for leading the integration, optimization, and oversight of AI enabled and automated technologies used within coding and clinical documentation workflows. This includes computer assisted coding (CAC), natural language processing (NLP) tools, automated edit resolution, audit support platforms, and analytics systems that enhance coding accuracy, compliance, efficiency, and throughput. This leader ensures that AI supported coding processes align with institutional quality standards, regulatory requirements, and reimbursement policies while minimizing risk, strengthening data integrity, and supporting optimal financial performance.
Additionally, the role cultivates continuous improvement, talent development, and innovation to strengthen operational excellence, sustain high-performing teams, and position the organization as a leader in coding quality, compliance, and revenue integrity.
KEY FUNCTIONS
Executive Director, Coding Categorized Key Duties
1. Strategic Leadership & Operational Oversight
• Direct, administer, and lead the centralized operations and coding functions.
• Establish enterprise-wide coding strategy, standards, and performance expectations.
• Serve as the executive authority for all centralized coding office functions.
• Strategize and define team roles and responsibilities to support continuous improvement of revenue cycle processes.
2. Revenue Cycle Optimization & Performance Management
• Drive continuous improvement using people, processes, and technology to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and reliability.
• Benchmark coding performance against AAPC, AHIMA, HFMA, and Epic peer organizations.
• Ensure coding functions support optimal reimbursement, revenue integrity, and operational performance.
• Participate in Revenue Cycle project decisions (staffing, deliverables, change management, communications).
3. Quality, Outcomes & Organizational Reputation
• Oversee coding-related metrics that impact external rankings (U.S. News & World Report, Vizient).
• Maintain accountability for Case Mix Index (CMI), Patient Safety Indicators (PSIs), and other quality measures.
• Partner with the Chief Quality Officer and VP of Inpatient Operations to sustain and enhance quality and safety performance.
4. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Enterprise Integration
• Collaborate across Clinical Operations and Finance, including Compliance (billing and privacy), Patient Access, HIM, Case Management, Clinical Revenue and Reimbursement, Legal, and others.
• Partner with physician leadership and operational teams to align coding practices with clinical and financial goals.
• Support enterprise-wide alignment of coding and revenue cycle strategies.
5. Compliance, Regulatory & Thought Leadership
• Ensure adherence to UT System policies, federal and state regulations, and institutional billing compliance standards.
• Serve as a thought leader in UT System Health-Related Institutions forums and industry discussions.
• Contribute to policy development and interpretation of CMS and state regulatory changes.
6. Technology & Systems Oversight
• Provide executive oversight for systems supporting coding and revenue cycle operations (Epic Resolute, 3M 360 Encompass, Nuance, OnCore CTMS).
• Participate in governance and strategic committees for system integration and optimization.
• Ensure alignment of technology solutions with operational and financial goals.
7. Talent Management & Professional Development
• Establish performance expectations, goals, and development plans for team members.
• Promote cross-training and workforce flexibility aligned with organizational needs.
• Support ongoing professional development through education, training, and industry engagement.
• Ensure staff have access to tools and resources necessary for growth and success.
8. External Benchmarking & Industry Engagement
• Monitor industry trends, benchmarks, and best practices in coding and revenue cycle operations.
• Maintain active involvement in professional organizations and forums to inform strategy and innovation.
Perform special projects as assigned by the Vice President, Revenue Cycle and the Senior Vice President and CFO.
EDUCATION
Required: Bachelor's degree.
Preferred: Master's degree or higher in finance, business administration, or a healthcare-related field such as health information
LICENSE/CERTIFICATION
Required: RHIA, CPHIMS, or CPC.
Preferred: CCS, CCDS, or CDIP.
EXPERIENCE
Required: Ten (10) years of professional progressive experience in finance, accounting, or related fields.
Requires knowledge of large-scale Professional and Technical patient coding requirements and clinical implications, information systems, analytical and planning skills. Must demonstrate professional judgment, independent decision-making abilities, extremely strong interpersonal and communication skills, excellent supervisory skills, and the ability to function under pressure due to time constraints.
Preferred: Fifteen (15) years of prior experience of successfully managing inpatient, outpatient, hospital and professional Revenue Cycle operations for patient coding.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.
This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.
