Assistant Director of Ventures

Job Summary:

The Assistant Director of Ventures is a strategic, entrepreneurial leader responsible for driving the creation, development, and commercialization of high impact health technologies across the CU Anschutz Medical Campus. This role unifies leadership of the Healthcare Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative (HIE) with oversight of Innovations Ventures, integrating accelerator operations, venture development, faculty support, and commercialization pathways into one cohesive portfolio.

The Assistant Director will lead the ongoing execution of both the HIE and Ventures programs, both of which are designed to advance pharmaceutical, digital health solutions, diagnostics, medical devices, AI enabled tools, and other innovations addressing urgent clinical, research, and public health needs. They will oversee the commercialization support activities, coordinate advisory and mentorship networks, and guide promising faculty driven innovations from early concepts toward market readiness. Responsibilities include managing day-to-day operations such as proposal solicitation and evaluation, advisory committee coordination, engagement of external expert networks, project funding oversight, and hands on mentorship of CU Anschutz innovators.

In this role, the Assistant Director of Ventures will guide early-stage academic discoveries from concept to market, cultivate a robust venture pipeline, support spinout formation, oversee the SPARK program, and build partnerships with industry, investors, and clinical collaborators. They will manage complex stakeholder relationships and collaborate closely with faculty innovators, clinical partners across UCHealth, Children's Hospital Colorado, and the VA, as well as entrepreneurial programs across the campus and throughout Colorado's vibrant health innovation ecosystem.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience in health technology innovation, startup formation, commercialization strategy, and partnership development; combining technical fluency with the ability to mentor faculty, build cross campus collaborations, and accelerate CU Anschutz Innovations toward advanced development and early piloting. Above all, the Assistant Director of Ventures will be driven by a passion for translating scientific discoveries into real world healthcare solutions that improve patient outcomes and public health.

Key Responsibilities:

• Execute the strategic vision for the Healthcare Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative and Innovations Ventures.
• Expand organizational infrastructure to support venture creation, accelerator programming, and commercialization pathways.
• Lead annual accelerator cycles, including proposal solicitation, evaluation, cohort selection, milestone planning, and progress tracking.
• Oversee delivery of commercialization services such as business model development, regulatory strategy, clinical validation planning, and go to market strategy.
• Evaluate early-stage discoveries and guide faculty through venture formation, SBIR/STTR readiness, licensing pathways, and capital strategy.
• Build project plans and milestones for selected teams in collaboration with mentors and external experts.
• Build long-term relationships with industry partners to accelerate early-stage scientific discoveries into products.
• Collaborate with innovation focused programs across CU Anschutz (CCTSI I Corps, SPARK, Startup Toolbox, Inworks) to create a unified venture development pipeline.
• Pursue partnerships, funding opportunities, and strategic collaborations that expand the reach and impact of CU Innovations.

Work Location:

Hybrid - this role is eligible for a hybrid schedule of 3-4 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:

• A bachelor's degree in chemistry, pharmacology, biochemistry, biology, genetics, biomedical engineering or related field.
• 8+ years of professional experience working in similar roles, including experience in product development in biotechnology, venture development, working with academic investigators, and/or developing and implementing project plans.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in chemistry, pharmacology, biochemistry, biology, genetics, biomedical engineering or related field.
• 9+ years of professional experience working in similar roles, including experience in product development in biotechnology, venture development, working with academic investigators, and developing and implementing project plans.
• MBA.
• Post-doctoral fellowship or instructor experience.
• Product development experience in large biotechnology corporations.
• Previous experience running an academic incubator program advancing faculty ventures.

Competencies:

• Strong conceptual thinker with the ability to grasp and navigate abstract concepts, relate them to one another, and translate those concepts into strategies and practical actions.
• Confident in leading and executing a portfolio of interconnected projects with high attention to detail across multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to independently recognize learning opportunities, design and conduct research, gather data, structure quantitative and qualitative analyses, and draw and apply actionable recommendations.
• Excellent skills in creating original public content and delivering verbal presentations in multiple settings.
• Proactive in identifying problems and opportunities, developing recommendations, and acting on those recommendations.
• Thrives in an ambiguous environment with the autonomy to drive work.
• Desires continuous improvement; has an innate sense of curiosity and is grounded by self-awareness that provides space for learning and growth.
• Driven by the desire to contribute to societal change, making the economy work for all people, and interested in system integration and social change theories.
• Recognizes the value of a well-prepared and supported community, can bring together thought leaders, facilitate conversations, and remove barriers to collaboration.
• Possesses a mix of vision and tactics, manages multiple teams on various projects, and is willing to engage directly in tasks.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and rapid change, possesses a positive attitude, and identifies creative solutions to obstacles while managing multiple responsibilities.
• Consistently considers diverse perspectives, has experience working with diverse teams, and values creating a supportive workplace.
• Willing to support both small projects and large strategic goals, earning influence without authority, and always ready to lend a hand.

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:

Screening begins on March 28, 2026.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as $107,819 - $137,146.

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.

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.