Venture Operations Program Director

Venture Operations Program Director

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Department: CU Innovations

Position #: – Requisition #: 38584

Posting Date: Dec 22, 2025

Unposting Date: Ongoing

Job Category: Business Services

Primary Location: Hybrid

Schedule: Full-time

Overview

The Venture Operations Program Director is a strategic, entrepreneurial leader responsible for advancing CU Innovations’ proof‑of‑concept bio‑accelerator and supporting venture creation across campus. This role ensures operational excellence and drives execution of initiatives that move early‑stage academic discoveries toward commercialization. Working closely with faculty, campus partners, and industry mentors, the Program Director coordinates programs such as HIE, SPARK and connects entrepreneurial efforts across initiatives like CCTSI iCorps, Startup Toolbox to build a cohesive venture development pipeline.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the operational lead for CU Innovations’ venture programs, ensuring timely execution of initiatives and alignment with strategic goals.
• Act as the primary point of contact for internal follow‑through, accountability, and operational coordination across ventures, grants, and startup support programs.
• Develop and maintain dashboards, trackers, and reporting systems to monitor program performance, risks, and outcomes for leadership.
• Independently oversee operations and confidently make key decisions, consistently demonstrating readiness to assume leadership responsibilities whenever needed.
• Design and implement internal initiatives that support spin‑out ventures, grant program cohorts, and CU Innovations’ overall mission.
• Plan and execute educational, networking, and outreach events that strengthen the ventures ecosystem.
• Engage with campus innovation initiatives (e.g., CCTSI iCorps, SPARK, Startup Toolbox, VMS) to connect entrepreneurial programs and build a cohesive venture development pipeline.
• Partner with the Managing Director to identify program priorities, allocate resources, and manage timelines across multiple venture projects.
• Design and implement internal processes that improve the efficiency, transparency, and consistency of venture operations.

Work Location

Hybrid – 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 integral to The University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus, a top‑tier academic medical institution. We collaborate with pioneering researchers, clinicians, staff, and external partners across CU, UCHealth, and Children’s Hospital Colorado to power innovation by imagining, discovering, and commercializing advanced healthcare solutions, including treatments, medical devices, and cutting‑edge technologies.

Benefits

• 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

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, biomedical sciences, engineering, or a related field.
• 6–8 years of experience in venture development, program management, operations, or innovation‑related roles.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in biomedical sciences, or related field.
• Advanced degree in business.
• 9+ years of professional experience in venture development working with academic investigators, program management, operations, or innovation/entrepreneurship environments.
• Experience working in an academic healthcare setting.
• Previous experience running an academic incubator program advancing faculty ventures.
• Experience developing dashboards, metrics reports, or project tracking systems (e.g., Excel, Power BI, Asana, Smartsheet).

Competencies: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Strong scientific background.
• Strong conceptual thinker with 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 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.
• 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 documents:

• Letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position.
• Curriculum vitae / Resume.
• Three to five professional references, including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address.

Questions should be directed to: Lindley Pagels,

Screening of Applications Begins

Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified, but preference will be given to complete applications received by January 12th. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Anticipated Pay Range

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

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

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.

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