Job Details

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Innovation Partnerships Program Director

Position Number: 6771753
Location: Aurora, CO
Position Type: Economic and Business Development

Innovation Partnerships Program Director

Innovation Partnerships Program Director - 38409 University Staff Description

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Department: CU Innovations

Job Title: Innovation Partnerships Program Director

Position #:00840632 - Requisition #:38409

Job Summary:

CU Innovations at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is seeking a highly motivated and versatile Innovation Partnerships Program Director who will strategically lead multiple large-scale projects focused on advancing healthcare discoveries through a variety of industry and inter-institutional partnerships, including data partnerships, biobanking, and technological co-development opportunities.

This jack-of-all-trades role serves as a strategic project manager, subject matter expert, and central connector, who partners closely with faculty, industry collaborators, internal leadership, and external stakeholders to guide the execution of key programs and initiatives. The Innovation Partnerships Program Director will play a pivotal role in developing, planning and executing large-scale projects and partnerships that advance CU's capabilities in data partnerships, and translational research collaborations. This role will be responsible for providing key programmatic and operational support to accelerate and ensure the sustainability of translational research and commercialization opportunities.

The Innovation Partnerships Program Director will partner closely with faculty, licensing managers, industry collaborators, and CU Innovations leadership to manage existing projects, initiatives, and partnerships. This includes creating relevant business materials, coordinating external engagements, and managing day-to-day operational activities. The ideal candidate will have strong project management skills and the ability to translate complex concepts into compelling business opportunities. The ideal candidate will thrive in a complex, matrixed academic medical center environment, and will be equally comfortable executing tactical deliverables and contributing to strategic decisions.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategically lead a portfolio of CU Innovation projects and partnerships, ensuring program milestones, timelines, and deliverables are met; establish project tasks/dependencies/deadlines, allocate resources, identify and mitigate risks, gather requirements, hold review meetings and provide status updates.
Manage day-to-day execution of CU Innovations' partnerships, ensuring program milestones, timelines, and deliverables are met.
Support leadership in aligning cross-campus stakeholders around shared goals and program priorities.
Participate in strategic planning for CU Innovations including long-term visioning, infrastructure development, and operational leadership; lead the development and subsequent execution of strategic plans related partnership and project management.
Act as an execution partner for high-value data industry partnerships and other strategic collaborators.
Collaborate with business development and licensing teams to ensure alignment between contractual terms, deliverables, and scientific objectives.
Help support research efforts to provide perspectives on industry trends, partner priorities, and competitive landscapes across engagements.
Support strategy development for partnerships by synthesizing insights from scientific, business, and regulatory perspectives.
Engage key potential partners with potential new partnerships to expand and deepen relationships with industry partners

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:

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 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 CU 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: 10/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 from an accredited institution in business, business administration, science, healthcare administration, project management, communications or similar.
4-6 years of experience in project management, alliance management, business operations, partnership management or similar.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

Advanced degree
5 or more years of experience in project management, alliance management, business operations, partnership management or similar.
Project Management certification
Experience implementing strategic operational plans and managing partnerships while working with leadership.

Competencies:

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 ability to effectively present to the senior leadership level of internal and external organizations.
Must have the ability to create high-quality presentations and reports to inform leadership.
Relevant business skills and knowledge, including strategic, financial, marketing and operations expertise are preferred.

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

3. Three to five professional references, including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address

Questions should be directed to: Lindley Pagels, lindley.pagels@cuanschutz.edu

Screening of Applications Begins:

Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified, but preference will be given to complete applications received by December 9, 2025. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range for this position has been established as $86,684 - $120,000.

The above salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

This position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

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.

Total Compensation Calculator

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@cuanschutz.edu.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.

Application Materials Required: Cover Letter, Resume/CV, List of References Job Category
: Business Services Primary Location
: Hybrid Department: U0001 -- Anschutz Med Campus or Denver - 21705 - ADM-CHAN Anschutz Tech Transfe Schedule
: Full-time Posting Date
: Dec 4, 2025 Unposting Date
: Dec 10, 2025, 6:59:00 AM Posting Contact Name: Lindley Pagels Posting Contact Email: Lindley.pagels@cuanschutz.edu Position Number: 00840632

To apply, visit https://cu.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=38409&lang=en