Associate Chief Research Officer

Denver Health and Hospital Authority • Denver, CO

23h

About The Position

We are recruiting for a motivated Associate Chief Research Officer to join our team! We are here for life’s journey. Where is your life journey taking you? Being the heartbeat of Denver means our heart reflects something bigger than ourselves, something that connects us all: Humanity in action, Triumph in hardship, Transformation in health. Department Research Operations Job Summary The Associate Chief Research Officer (ACRO) reports directly to the Chief Academic Officer and provides strategic leadership for Denver Health's research enterprise, with a particular focus on health services research in an academic safety-net learning health system. This role is held by an accomplished MD or PhD faculty member with a national reputation, a strong record of grant-funded research, demonstrated success building and leading multidisciplinary research programs, and a commitment to research mentorship and career development in a safety net system. The ACRO maintains an active, externally funded research portfolio while working closely with other leaders in the Office of Academic Affairs and across the organization to advance Denver Health's mission through research that directly informs and improves clinical practice. The ACRO directs the Center for Health Systems Research, overseeing scientific strategy, personnel, and programmatic growth. The role includes supervising research faculty and staff, expanding research training and fellowship programs, strengthening grant development and scientific leadership across departments, and fostering productive collaborations with the University of Colorado and other partners. The ACRO also supports learner research, serves as a key liaison to department chairs, and helps align institutional research priorities with funding opportunities. Through collaborative leadership, strategic planning, and strong communication, the ACRO advances Denver Health's position as a leader in impactful, practice-changing research.

Requirements

• Doctorate Degree from an accredited medical school Required or IF PHD: Doctorate Degree PhD in Health Services Research, Health Policy, Public Health, Epidemiology, Implementation Science, Nursing or other related fields Required
• 7-9 years Experience as an MD or PhD faculty (at rank of associate professor or above) with a national reputation and track-record of successful grant-funded research Required
• MD- Physician - DORA - Department of Regulatory Agencies
• Knowledge of health services research and health care delivery systems, including learning health system principles.
• Knowledge of research funding mechanisms and grants administration.
• Skilled in research governance, compliance, and operations within integrated health systems.
• Skilled in leading externally funded, multidisciplinary research programs.
• Skilled in grant writing, team assembly, and scientific leadership for competitive proposals.
• Ability to build and sustain cross-departmental and inter-institutional collaborations.
• Ability to balance independent research productivity with institutional leadership responsibilities.
• Ability to influence and lead in a complex, matrixed academic health system.
• Ability to set direction aligned with organizational mission and funding priorities.
• Effective written and verbal communication with academic, clinical, and executive stakeholders.
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite.

Responsibilities

• Directly engages in and conducts research as principal investigator and/or co-investigator.
• Presents and publishes research outcomes and findings, including peer-reviewed and nontraditional channels.
• Seeks and secures external funding to support research programs through grant proposals and related mechanisms.
• For MD or other candidates who provide clinical care, this time could also include clinical effort.
• Direct the Center for Health Systems Research.
• Supervise a team of PhD and master’s level research scientists.
• Set scientific direction and strategy.
• Expand research workshop and seminar offerings.
• Oversee and expand support for the DH pilot grant program.
• Oversee development of new fellowship programs for DH faculty with a focus on learning health systems.
• Facilitate productive collaborations with the University of Colorado.
• Work closely with Department Chairs, the Denver Health Foundation, and CU collaborators to identify grant opportunities for which DH is uniquely positioned.
• Assemble and support multidisciplinary research teams to pursue grant funding.
• Support and supervise grant-writing efforts.
• Work closely with the Associate Chief for Research Operations to develop new processes to facilitate and support CU-DH research collaborations.
• Develop and pursue funding for new educational/career development programming to support DH clinicians acting as site PIs
• Oversee learner research at DH, in close collaborations with the OOE.
• Develop processes to facilitate research engagement and mentorship for medical students, residents and fellows.
• Serve as a liaison to DH department chairs.
• Communicate frequently to ensure research needs are met.
• Create new communication channels to share research opportunities.
• may provide clinical care in area of specialty practice, if applicable.

Benefits

• Outstanding benefits including up to 27 paid days off per year, immediate retirement plan employer contribution up to 9.5%, and generous medical plans
• Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation)
• On-site employee fitness center and wellness classes
• Childcare discount programs & exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more
• Tuition reimbursement & assistance
• Education & development opportunities including career pathways and coaching
• Professional clinical advancement program & shared governance
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer+ free student loan coaching and assistance navigating the PSLF program
• National Health Service Corps (NHCS) and Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) eligible employer

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree