Director of the University of Colorado Anschutz Cancer Center

University of Colorado•Aurora, CO

27d•$400,000 - $1,000,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of the CU Cancer Center provides overarching strategic, scientific, and operational leadership for Colorado's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. The position carries responsibility for advancing the Center's multifaceted mission to discover, develop, and deliver tomorrow's innovative cancer treatments while expanding prevention, early detection, and survivorship efforts across Colorado and the region. The Director will champion the Center's interdisciplinary approach to research and care, uniting discovery, translational, clinical, and population sciences under a shared vision of collaboration and impact. The CU Cancer Center includes over 280 faculty members across the University of Colorado system and partner institutions, including University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado State University Flint Animal Cancer Center, UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Denver Health, the Rocky Mountain VA Medical Center, and UCHealth locations across the state. As a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the Oncology Research Information Exchange Network (ORIEN), the CU Cancer Center is nationally recognized for integrating science, clinical innovation, and community partnerships. The Director will play a critical role in maintaining and strengthening these partnerships, ensuring that the Center remains a hub for cutting-edge cancer research and comprehensive patient care. The Director will also serve as the Principal Investigator for the Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG), ensuring compliance with NCI requirements and positioning the Center for continued excellence and renewal. In this role, the Director will align resources, foster collaboration across programs, and lead strategic planning efforts that sustain the Center’s scientific leadership and regional relevance. This is a full-time position located at University of Colorado Anschutz in Aurora, Colorado. The Director will also hold an appointment as Professor (tenure-eligible) in a relevant academic department.

Requirements

M.D., Ph.D., D.O., or M.D./Ph.D. (or equivalent) in a cancer-related field.
National reputation for excellence in cancer research as a physician-scientist and/or cancer researcher.
Demonstrated success in attracting, recruiting, and developing world-class scientific and clinical leaders and successful experience in team building, strategy setting, and advancing scientific goals.
Eligibility for appointment at the rank of Professor (tenure-eligible) in the School of Medicine.
Proven record of securing extramural research funding and managing complex, multidisciplinary programs.
Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the Cancer Center and broader institution
Strong strategic vision and ability to execute complex institutional initiatives.
Excellent leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
Ability to inspire collaboration across scientific, clinical, and administrative disciplines.
Capacity to strategically represent the Cancer Center to internal and external stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Experience serving as PI or senior leader of an NCI-designated Cancer Center.
Record of developing successful research and clinical partnerships across institutions.
Demonstrated commitment to cultivating environments that encourage mutual respect, understanding, and active participation from all members and the community.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Vision
Develop and implement a comprehensive strategic vision for the University of Colorado Cancer Center to reduce the burden of cancer for all Coloradans and beyond.
Promote innovation and collaboration across interdisciplinary research programs that span discovery, translation and population research and its faculty members.
Serve as a visible, influential leader regionally and nationally, representing the CU Cancer Center within NCI, AACI, NCCN, ASCO, AACR, and other key organizations.
Scientific and Research Leadership
Provide strategic oversight for all Cancer Center research programs and shared resource cores.
Foster cross-disciplinary, team-based science that bridges laboratory, clinical, and population-based research.
Mentor program leaders and faculty to sustain strong extramural funding portfolios and impactful scholarship.
Lead continuous preparation for NCI CCSG renewal and external reviews.
Clinical Integration and Care Delivery
Continually foster productive collaborative partnerships with UCHealth, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Denver Health, and the Rocky Mountain VA Medical Center.
Ensure the seamless integration of research discoveries into patient care through investigator-initiated trials and precision oncology programs.
Expand equitable access to cancer prevention and treatment across Colorado and the region.
Administration and Operations
Oversee all administrative, financial, and operational components of the Cancer Center.
Manage senior leadership and governance structures, including internal committees and the External Advisory Board.
Ensure compliance with NCI Cancer Centers Program requirements and University, state and federal policies.
Faculty and Staff Recruitment and Development
Recruit, mentor, and retain outstanding cancer researchers, clinicians, educators, and staff.
Cultivate a collaborative, inclusive environment that supports career advancement for all individuals.
Community Engagement and Catchment Impact
Lead initiatives to reduce cancer burden across the CU Cancer Center’s catchment area through prevention, early detection, and outreach.
Partner with communities, advocacy organizations, and public health agencies to address disparities in cancer outcomes.
Education and Training
Advance cancer education and mentorship for medical students, residents, fellows, and postdoctoral researchers.
Support training grants and programs that prepare future oncology leaders.
Philanthropy and External Relations
Collaborate with the CU Anschutz Office of Advancement to expand philanthropic investment in research and clinical programs.
Engage with donors, foundations, and industry partners to build support for strategic initiatives.
Culture
Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and excellence across all areas of the Cancer Center.