Associate Director of Innovations Strategy

University of Colorado Anschutz

Department: CU Innovations

Job Title:
Associate Director of Innovations Strategy

Position #:  – Requisition #: 39671

Job Summary:

The Associate Director of Innovation Strategy plays a central role in advancing CU Anschutz's innovation, commercialization, and strategic partnership priorities. Reporting to the Director of Innovation Strategy, this position serves as a senior strategic partner, initiative leader, and operational driver—helping translate institutional vision into executable strategies, high‑impact programs, and measurable outcomes.

The Associate Director is a forward‑thinking, collaborative leader who works closely with campus leadership, faculty, industry partners, and philanthropic stakeholders to advance innovation initiatives across data science, translational research, and public‑private partnerships. This role will lead defined strategic initiatives and complex projects, support flagship programs (e.g., Gates Institute, data innovation efforts), and provide day‑to‑day leadership across portions of the business development and innovation ecosystem.

The Associate Director will frequently represent the CU Innovations office in internal and external settings, support executive decision‑making, and ensure operational excellence across strategic initiatives—while escalating key decisions and risks to senior leadership.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the design and execution of multi‑year strategic plans for priority innovation areas, including data innovation, translational research, and commercialization.
• Translate high‑level strategic direction from senior leadership into initiative‑level plans with clear goals, deliverables, timelines, and success metrics.
• Work in a highly collaborative manner, with the university and hospital leadership, campus partners, and Licensing Managers on key campus initiatives.
• Help support the creation of strategic vision and tactical plans for high‑profile discoveries, incubated technologies, and start‑up companies in the CU Anschutz ecosystem.
• Represent the CU Innovations office in meetings with faculty leaders, campus partners, industry collaborators, philanthropic organizations, and government stakeholders.
• Lead day‑to‑day planning and execution for high‑priority innovation initiatives and partnerships (e.g., Gates Institute‑related efforts, data innovation programs).
• Serve as initiative owner for assigned programs, coordinating across faculty, campus partners, industry collaborators, and external stakeholders.

Work Location: Hybrid – this role is eligible for a hybrid schedule of 3 days per week on campus and as needed for in‑person meetings.

Why Join Us:

Innovations is an integral part of The University of Colorado Anschutz, a top‑tier academic medical institution, collaborating with pioneering researchers, clinicians, staff, and external partners at the University of Colorado, staff at UCHealth and Children’s Hospital Colorado. Together, we power innovation by imagining, discovering, and commercializing advanced healthcare solutions, including treatments, medical devices, and cutting‑edge technologies. Our mission at Innovations is driven by the unique collaborative environment we operate in, and our guiding principle is to transform breakthrough discoveries and treatments into realities within an efficient ecosystem that accelerates their availability to patients.

Why work for the University?

We have excellent benefits and offer generous amounts of holiday, vacation, and sick leave. The University of Colorado offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical:
  Multiple plan options
• Dental:
  Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance:
  Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement 401(a) Plan:
  Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay
• Paid Time Off:
  Accruals over the year
• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
• Holiday Days: 15/year
• Tuition Benefit:
  Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
• ECO Pass:
  Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks and programs with CU Advantage.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in medicine, health…