Associate Director of Innovations Strategy

University of Colorado•Aurora, CO

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

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. 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 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.

Requirements

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.
Some domestic travel required.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship.
Must have ability and confidence to effectively function independently, be a self-starter, and be a team player within a collaborative organization.
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.

Nice To Haves

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.
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.

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.