Job Description

Healthcare Strategist, Oncology Service Line

Florence, SC, United States (On-site)

Your Role & Impact

As the Oncology Service Line Strategist, you will shape the system-wide strategy, growth trajectory, and performance of McLeod Health's premier Oncology service line. The health system operates seven hospitals, with oncology services anchored at a tertiary care campus and expanded recently through a second location at our coastal hospital. Several system hospitals lack full-time oncology coverage and rely on streamlined referral and transfer processes to ensure timely access to specialized cancer care.

This position provides strategic direction, supports program development, and ensures alignment across clinical, operational, and administrative stakeholders. You will function as a highly influential leader who drives collaboration, standardization, and innovation to elevate oncology care across the health system.

What You'll Do:

Strategic Planning & Growth

• Develop Multi-Year Strategy: Create and implement a strategic plan for the Oncology service line that supports organizational goals, community needs, and emerging clinical advancements.
• Conduct Market Analysis: Perform detailed competitive analyses to identify opportunities for expansion, increased market share, and enhanced system presence in oncology services.
• Evaluate Growth Opportunities: Assess disease-specific programs, ambulatory oncology expansion, palliative oncology alignment, survivorship programs, and advanced diagnostics/therapeutics.
• Assess Coastal Location Growth: Define the role of the coastal oncology location within the overall tertiary oncology framework.

Program Development & Optimization

• Design & Optimize Cancer Programs: Partner with physician leaders and operational managers to enhance medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, infusion services, genetic counseling, palliative oncology, cancer research, and survivorship care.
• Support Standardized Pathways: Develop clinical pathways and protocols across sites to ensure consistent, evidence-based care.
• Strengthen Care Coordination: Collaborate with providers and leaders to improve care for hospitals without full-time oncology coverage.
• Advance Multidisciplinary Models: Enhance tumor board consistency and disease-specific care teams across the service line.

Transfer & Access Coordination

• Lead Referral Improvements: Enhance referral pathways, consult access, and timely transfer of oncology patients from community hospitals to tertiary centers.
• Create System-Wide Strategies: Develop navigation, triage, and centralized scheduling that improve patient access and continuity of care-ensuring patients experience their cancer care seamlessly from diagnosis to treatment.
• Support Integration: Increase service line alignment between the tertiary and coastal oncology departments.

Performance Management & Analytics

• Develop Service Line Dashboards: Track quality, operational, access, and financial metrics.
• Monitor Performance Indicators: Analyze case volumes, program mix, referral patterns, transfer trends, patient experience, time-to-treatment, and clinical outcomes.
• Analyze Financial Performance: Build business cases for capital projects, technology investments, new service expansions, and workforce planning.
• Identify Performance Gaps: Lead cross-functional teams to achieve improvement.

Physician & Stakeholder Engagement

• Foster Strong Relationships: Engage medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgical oncologists, APPs, and other multidisciplinary team members.
• Engage Clinical Leaders: Co-design strategic initiatives, clinical pathways, and program improvements.
• Collaborate Across Departments: Work closely with hospital administrators, nursing leaders, operations teams, cancer center leadership, and ancillary departments to ensure alignment and execution.

System Integration & Coordination

• Facilitate Strategic Alignment: Connect the tertiary oncology center, the new coastal oncology location, and community hospitals.
• Support Consistent Standards: Ensure uniform patient pathways, clinical protocols, and service offerings across the system.
• Advance Oncology Integration: Connect inpatient, outpatient, diagnostic imaging, pharmacy/infusion, genetic testing, palliative care, research, and rehabilitation services.
• Strengthen Screening Programs: Collaborate with population health and primary care leaders to enhance cancer screening, prevention, and early detection.

Project Leadership

• Lead Cross-Functional Efforts: Manage major oncology initiatives, including capital expansions, equipment planning (e.g., linear accelerators, specialized imaging), and facility development.
• Oversee Execution: Handle timelines, stakeholder communications, and change management processes for strategic implementations.
• Translate Complex Challenges: Convert clinical and operational challenges into actionable strategies and solutions.

What You Bring:

• Education:
  • Required: Master's degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, Public Health, or related field.
  • Preferred: Clinical background (RN, oncology specialist, NP/PA, radiation therapy, pharmacy, etc.).
• Experience:
  • 5-7 years of progressive experience in healthcare strategy, oncology program management, hospital operations, or consulting.
  • Strongly Preferred: Demonstrated experience working within oncology services.
  • Ideal: Experience in multi-hospital systems or integrated service line environments.
  • Proven Ability: Influence across functions without direct authority.
• Skills & Competencies:
  • Strong strategic thinking, planning, and execution skills.
  • Advanced analytical skills with ability to interpret complex clinical and financial data.
  • Excellent communication, facilitation, and relationship-building abilities.
  • Deep understanding of oncology clinical operations, regulatory requirements, and market dynamics.
  • Ability to lead through influence and manage cross-functional initiatives effectively.

Live & Work in Historic Florence, SC

Join us in Florence, South Carolina-a charming and growing community that serves as a regional hub for healthcare, commerce, and culture. Enjoy a low cost of living, excellent schools, and a strong sense of Southern hospitality. With easy access to both the Grand Strand beaches (just an hour away) and the cultural offerings of nearby metropolitan areas, Florence offers the perfect blend of small-town comfort and big-city convenience. Experience a welcoming community that truly values the exceptional work of its healthcare leaders.

About Our Team

If you are looking for a dynamic environment where you can lead with integrity, collaborate with stellar professionals, and make a lasting impact on oncology services across an entire health system, we invite you to apply. Become part of a locally owned, not-for-profit organization where your strategic leadership is meaningful, your growth is supported, and your contributions are truly valued.