Venture Operations Program Director
Venture Operations Program Director
Venture Operations Program Director - 38584 University Staff Description
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Department: CU Innovations
Job Title: Venture Operations Program Director
Position #:00843590 - Requisition #:38584
Job Summary:
The Venture Operations Program Director will be a strategic, entrepreneurial leader responsible for advancing CU Innovations' proof-of-concept bio-accelerator and supporting venture creation across the 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 will coordinate programs such as HIE, SPARK and connect entrepreneurial efforts across initiatives like CCTSI iCorps, Startup Toolbox to build a cohesive venture development pipeline. By optimizing existing resources, developing new processes, and fostering strong internal and external relationships, the Program Director will help translate innovative research into high-impact ventures that advance CU Innovations' mission.
The Venture Operations Program Director is a strategic and highly organized operations professional who provides leadership and oversight of the CU Innovations Ventures program's internal activities. Reporting to the Managing Director, this role ensures smooth execution of initiatives, drives accountability across teams, and guarantees operational excellence in advancing CU's venture creation and proof-of-concept programs. Serving as the operational "right hand" to the Managing Director, the Venture Operations Program Director ensures that the ideas and strategies generated by leadership are translated into clear plans and executed effectively. This individual is adept at managing complex projects, maintaining momentum across multiple workstreams, and ensuring that no critical details fall through the cracks.
The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, has strong follow-through, and enjoys building systems and processes that make innovation programs run efficiently. They will lead key operational functions of the Ventures program, including action tracking, project management, internal communications, progress reporting, and ensuring alignment between CU Innovations' strategic goals and day-to-day execution.
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 spinout 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 - 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 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:
- PhD in biomedical sciences, or related field.
- Advanced degree in business.
- 9+ years of professional experience in ventures 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 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.
- 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:
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
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.
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 22, 2025 Unposting Date
: Ongoing Posting Contact Name: Lindley Pagels Posting Contact Email: Lindley.pagels@cuanschutz.edu Position Number: 00843590
To apply, visit https://cu.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=38584&lang=en
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