Associate Director of Innovations Strategy

Job Details

University of Colorado Anschutz

Department: CU Innovations

Job Title: Associate Director of Innovations Strategy

Position #: 00847073– 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. This approach not only empowers our partners to have an immediate and meaningful impact but also enhances the quality of life and outcomes for patients now and in the future, at both CU and beyond.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent 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 & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in medicine, health care, corporate strategy, public health, life sciences.
• 6+ years of professional experience in healthcare strategy consulting.
• Experience supervising teams and/or cross-functional units in a consulting, life sciences, or healthcare innovation environment.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• An advanced degree in a related business, scientific or engineering field (MBA, MPH, MS, PhD, or equivalent).
• Minimum of 8 years of extensive, diverse and progressively responsible of professional experience in healthcare strategy consulting.
• Knowledge of and experience working in pharmaceutical, cell and gene therapy, medical device, diagnostic and other healthcare strategy development.

Condition of Employment:

• Some domestic travel required.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship. We are unable to provide work visa sponsorship or employment authorization for this position now or in the future.

Competencies: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Must have ability and confidence to effectively function independently, be a self-starter, and be a team player within a collaborative organization.
• Other required skills include creativity, excellent communication (written and oral) skills, strong financial analysis, and strategic and innovative thinking capabilities.
• Must have successfully led direct reports or project team members in previous positions.
• Relevant business skills and knowledge, including strategic, financial, marketing and market research expertise are preferred.
• Proven ability to translate complex ideas into actionable business plans.
• Strong communication and executive presence, including experience representing senior leadership.
• Visionary leadership with hands-on execution ability.
• Collaborative and mentoring management style.
• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen.
• Skilled at building consensus and navigating complex organizations.

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position
2. Curriculum vitae / Resume

Questions should be directed to: Sean McBride – sean.m.mcbride@cuanschutz.edu

Screening of Applications Begins:

Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified, but preference will be given to complete applications received by April 25, 2025. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as $140,520 - $188,296.

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

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