Associate Director, Administration & Strategy

Job Summary:

• Reporting to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Clinical Trials and Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Research, the Associate Director is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the day-to-day administrative, operational, and organizational functions of the Office of Clinical Trials. The Associate Director serves as the primary operational partner to Office leadership and is responsible for ensuring strategic priorities, initiatives, and organizational objectives are effectively planned, coordinated, implemented, and monitored.

• The Associate Director works collaboratively with stakeholders across the School of Medicine, OVCR, UCHealth, CU Medicine, departments, centers, institutes, and research programs to facilitate communication, align priorities, support decision-making, and ensure timely completion of organizational goals and deliverables.

• This position exercises independent judgment in managing operations, coordinating complex initiatives, resolving administrative issues, and recommending process improvements that enhance organizational effectiveness and support the growth and success of the clinical trials enterprise.

• Reports directly to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Clinical Trials/Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Research.

• Provides direct supervision to professional and administrative staff within the Office of Clinical Trials and may oversee additional staff, trainees, student employees, or project teams as assigned. Responsibilities include recruitment, onboarding, performance management, coaching, professional development, and workforce planning.

• Lead and coordinate the day-to-day administrative and operational activities of the Office of Clinical Trials.

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve operational workflows, policies, procedures, and business processes.

• Establish systems to organize, prioritize, monitor, and track projects, deliverables, strategic initiatives, and organizational goals.

• Coordinate activities across the School of Medicine Office of Research, OVCR, UCHealth, and other institutional partners to ensure alignment and timely execution of priorities.

• Support implementation of strategic initiatives and operational plans established by Office leadership.

• Facilitate meetings, committees, working groups, and cross-functional teams.

• Develop and maintain operational dashboards, reports, metrics, and project tracking tools.

• Identify barriers to progress and implement solutions to improve efficiency, effectiveness, communication, and service delivery.

• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and administrative guidance documents.

• Coordinate office operations, planning activities, reporting processes, and administrative functions.

• Partner with the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Clinical Trials and Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Research to implement strategic priorities and organizational objectives.

• Coordinate and manage special projects and strategic initiatives on behalf of Office leadership.

• Develop project plans, timelines, implementation strategies, and accountability mechanisms for major initiatives.

• Monitor progress toward organizational goals and prepare recommendations for leadership.

• Facilitate collaboration among research administration, clinical operations, faculty, and institutional leadership.

• Assist in the development of new programs, services, and initiatives that strengthen the clinical research ecosystem.

• Analyze operational data and prepare reports to support planning and decision-making.

• Support governance, committee management, and leadership planning activities.

• Collaborate with finance and administrative leadership to support budget planning, financial monitoring, and resource allocation activities.

• Assist with development and monitoring of annual operating budgets.

• Monitor expenditures and support financial reporting, forecasting, and budget analyses.

• Coordinate administrative business functions including procurement, contracts, service agreements, and resource management.

• Support development of business plans, operational analyses, and sustainability models for Office initiatives.

• Ensure compliance with University, School of Medicine, OVCR, and UCHealth policies and procedures.

• Promote effective stewardship of institutional resources.

• Serve as a primary administrative and operational liaison among faculty, research leaders, administrators, clinical partners, and institutional stakeholders.

• Coordinate communications related to Office initiatives, priorities, and operational updates.

• Prepare executive briefings, presentations, reports, meeting materials, and other communications.

• Facilitate communication and collaboration among internal and external stakeholders.

• Support outreach, engagement, and educational activities that promote awareness of clinical trials resources and services.

• Represent the Office on committees, working groups, and institutional initiatives as assigned.

• Supervise professional and administrative staff within the Office of Clinical Trials.

• Participate in recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and succession planning activities.

• Establish performance expectations and support staff development and engagement.

• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

• Ensure compliance with University and organizational personnel policies and practices.

• Promote professional development and training opportunities for staff.

Work Location:

Hybrid - this role is eligible for a hybrid schedule of # days per week on campus and as needed for in-person meetings.

Why Join Us:

The Office of Clinical Trials (OCT) is a newly formed office established through a strategic partnership among the University of Colorado School of Medicine Office of Research, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, and UCHealth. OCT was created to strengthen and coordinate the clinical research enterprise across the CU Anschutz Medical Campus by improving efficiency, enhancing collaboration, accelerating clinical trial activation, and expanding access to innovative research opportunities for patients.

OCT is focused on building a more integrated and high-performing clinical trials ecosystem through operational excellence, strategic industry partnerships, workforce development, data-driven decision making, and cross-institutional collaboration. By bringing together expertise from across the academic and health system environment, OCT is helping position CU Anschutz as a premier destination for clinical research, innovation, and discovery.

Joining OCT means becoming part of a collaborative team dedicated to advancing clinical research, improving patient access to cutting-edge therapies, and shaping the future of clinical trials across Colorado 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, healthcare administration, public administration, higher education administration, finance, management, or a related field.

• Six (6) years of progressively responsible professional experience in administration, operations, program management, research administration, healthcare administration, higher education administration, or a related field.

• Experience leading operational initiatives, coordinating complex projects, and managing competing priorities.

• Experience working with multiple stakeholder groups in a complex organizational environment.

• Experience supervising staff and managing employee performance and development.

  • Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor's degree on a year-for-year basis, but not for the required professional experience.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in business administration, healthcare administration, public administration, higher education administration, public health, or a related field.

• Experience in an academic medical center, healthcare system, university research environment, or clinical research setting.

• Experience supporting executive leadership and organizational operations.

• Experience developing operational processes, performance metrics, and project management systems.

• Experience with strategic planning, change management, and organizational development.

• Experience managing budgets, financial reporting, or business operations.

• Experience working with clinical trials, clinical research administration, or research infrastructure programs.

Conditions of Employment:

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship. We are unable to provide work visa sponsorship or employment authorization for this position now or in the future.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Operational leadership and organizational effectiveness

• Project and program management

• Strategic planning and implementation

• Ability to establish priorities and ensure timely execution of work

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to build collaborative relationships across diverse stakeholder groups

• Ability to navigate complex and highly matrixed organizations

• Financial and business management acumen

• Change management and process improvement

• Sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism

• Commitment to customer service, accountability, and continuous improvement

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: Sara Steed, Sara.Steed@cuanschutz.edu

Screening of Applications Begins:

Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified, but preference will be given to complete applications received by July 15, 2026. 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

$101,395 - $135,870.

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 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.