Venture Operations Program Director

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus – CU Innovations

Job Title: Venture Operations Program Director
Position #:  – Requisition #: 38584

The Venture Operations Program Director is a strategic, entrepreneurial leader responsible for advancing CU Innovations’ proof‑of‑concept bio‑accelerator and supporting venture creation across the campus. Working closely with faculty, campus partners, and industry mentors, the Program Director will coordinate programs such as HIE, SPARK and connect entrepreneurial efforts across initiatives like CCTSI iCorps, Startup Toolbox, and other incubator programs to build a cohesive venture development pipeline.

By optimizing existing resources, developing new processes, and fostering strong internal and external relationships, the Program Director will help translate innovative research into high‑impact ventures that advance CU Innovations’ mission.

• Serve as the operational lead for CU Innovations’ venture programs, ensuring timely execution of initiatives and alignment with strategic goals.
• Act as the primary point of contact for internal follow‑through, accountability, and operational coordination across ventures, grants, and startup support programs.
• Develop and maintain dashboards, trackers, and reporting systems to monitor program performance, risks, and outcomes for leadership.
• Independently oversee operations and confidently make key decisions, consistently demonstrating readiness to assume leadership responsibilities whenever needed.
• Design and implement internal initiatives that support spin‑out ventures, grant program cohorts, and CU Innovations’ overall mission.
• Plan and execute educational, networking, and outreach events that strengthen the ventures ecosystem.
• Engage with campus innovation initiatives (e.g., CCTSI iCorps, SPARK, Startup Toolbox, VMS) to connect entrepreneurial programs and build a cohesive venture development pipeline.
• Partner with the Managing Director to identify program priorities, allocate resources, and manage timelines across multiple venture projects.
• Design and implement internal processes that improve the efficiency, transparency, and consistency of venture operations.

Hybrid – eligible for a hybrid schedule of 3 days per week on campus and as needed for in‑person meetings.

CU Innovations is an integral part of The University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus, a top‑tier academic medical institution collaborating with pioneering researchers, clinicians, staff, and external partners. Together, we power innovation by imagining, discovering, and commercializing advanced healthcare solutions—including treatments, medical devices, and cutting‑edge technologies. Our mission is to transform breakthrough discoveries and treatments into realities within an efficient ecosystem that accelerates their availability to patients now and in the future, at both CU and beyond.

Starting salary range: $107,819 – $137,146
. The University offers generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your total compensation.

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, biomedical sciences, engineering, or a related field.
• 6‑8 years of experience in venture development, program management, operations, or innovation‑related roles.

• PhD in biomedical sciences or related field.
• Advanced degree in business.
• 9+ years of professional experience in ventures development working with academic investigators, program management, operations, or innovation/entrepreneurship environments.
• Experience working in an academic healthcare setting.
• Previous experience running an academic incubator program advancing faculty ventures.
• Experience developing dashboards, metrics reports, or project tracking systems (e.g., Excel, Power BI, Asana, Smartsheet).

Submit a letter of interest, CV/Resume, and three to five professional references. Questions should be directed to Lindley Pagels, lindley.pagels. Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified, but preference will be given to complete applications received…