We are recruiting for a mission-driven Associate Chief Academic Administration to join our team!
We're with you for life’s journey. At Denver Health, purpose isn’t just something we believe in—it’s something we live every day, for life’s journey.
Our Values
Respect | Belonging | Accountability | Transparency
Department
Research Operations
Job Summary
Applications received by August 7 will receive priority consideration.
The Associate Chief Academic Administration (ACAA) is a member of the leadership team of Academic Affairs and reports directly to the Chief Academic Officer. Under minimal supervision, the position oversees administrative and operational functions for Academic Affairs and the Research Operations and Sponsored Programs and Research Office (SPARO) teams. This ACAA establishes strategy, oversees all sponsored program and research award budgets, assures compliance for all research and educational functions enterprise wide, and facilitates the growth of Denver Health's research and education enterprise related to its academic mission. This position will serve as the lead for the upcoming Strategic Plan for Research and Education and lead and coordinate system-wide initiatives and efforts that report to the CAO.
The ACAA will work in close collaboration with the Chief Academic Officer, Associate Chief Research Officer, Chief Education Officer, and other senior leaders across the organization. Responsibilities include administrative, operational, and financial oversight of education and research operational budgets, as well as of ~ $500 million enterprise-wide sponsored programs budgets. The ACAA will oversee development and expansion of large-scale, interdisciplinary academic operations that lead to growth in external funding. This position will be responsible for evolving existing initiatives and infrastructure; optimizing academic processes and services to create highly-efficient academic support for faculty, learners, and staff; effectively overseeing institutional grant management and research and education operations; collaborating with strategic partners and leaders for operations and finance; and working closely with the executive leadership team to support the development of Denver Health's academic enterprise.
The ACAA designs and plans programs and policies for respective functional areas. The role includes ensuring compliance with current, applicable laws, regulators, and auditors. The ACAA creates functional strategies and specific objectives for areas of responsibility and develops budgets, policies, and procedures to support the infrastructure. This position leads and coordinates system-wide initiatives and efforts that report up to the CAO.
Essential Functions :
- Planning and Strategy
Develop, implement, and lead strategic, operational, financial, and business development efforts for Academic Affairs. Oversee academic strategic planning, in partnership with leaders across the organization. Recommend strategic initiatives that advance and strengthen the academic mission and infrastructure, grow and maintain existing and new partnerships with key academic and industry partners, and identify critical areas for growth and/or improvement within the organization that will better enable the delivery of research and educational offerings. Present on strategic planning and academic growth to forums including the senior leadership team. Maintain awareness of industry trends, regulations, threats, and new opportunities to provide key insights on impact to Denver Health.
(35%)
- Operations & Research Compliance
Oversee operational integrity and research compliance with all relevant regulations (e.g., NIH, FDA, CMS, OHRP, etc.), Manage the use of external IRBs, IACUC, CU Innovations and supplemental infrastructure functions and contracts. Oversee development and continuous refinement of research workflows and improved research efficiency. Establish, implement, and maintain systems, policies, and procedures to reflect best practices in support of strategy and operational excellence. (25%)
- Leadership
Commit to continuous learning and innovation. Be visible and present as a leader in the organization. Embody Denver Health leadership norms (alignment, accountability, team and respect) and serve as a mentor and role model for others. Work closely with investigators, preceptors, program directors, and learners to assure good working relationships and positive experiences with academics at Denver Health. Serve as an ambassador from Academic Affairs to key partner institutions and funders. (10%)
- Staff Management
Oversee the Research Operations and Sponsored Programs and Research Office (SPARO) teams. Staff, train, advise, and evaluate the performance of staff at multiple levels. When necessary, step up and fill in for staff absences to achieve team goals. Enhance employee engagement by providing resources, support, and tools needed. Ensure bilateral communication between employees at all levels and senior leadership. Mentor, guide and coach direct reports in order to expand their capabilities and development, while building a talent bench in the organization for succession planning. (10%)
- Data Analysis and Reporting
Gather and analyze information, draw conclusions, generate viable alternative solutions to a question or problem and evaluate the consequences of choosing each alternative. Organize data into informational summaries to monitor the performance and effectiveness of research and educational operations and initiatives. Explore data and extract meaningful insights, which can be used to better understand and improve plan design and performance. Collect and analyze market data, establish ongoing evaluation methodologies with an emphasis on long-term results, and track progress. Suggest approaches to implementation and solutions for problems that arise. Synthesize new research. Build on effective strategies and develop new ones. Monitor and report out on key performance metrics.
(10%)
- Financial Management
Oversee the development and implementation of annual operating budgets for all areas of responsibility. Manage operations within the established guidelines and budget for areas of direct operational oversight. Contribute to the annual budget planning process by managing and tracking income and expenses related to staff and the use of financial resources for business operations. Propose and prioritize expansion requests. Lead Clinical and Operational Leadership Team meetings for Academic Affairs. Oversee tracking and expenditures related to ~ $500 million in grant and sponsored program funding. (10%)
Education :
Master's Degree clinical health sciences and/or Research and health administration, or equivalent work experience. Required
Work Experience :
10+ years research & academic administration Required
Licenses :
- CCRA-Certified Clinical Research Associate - ACRP - Association of Clinical Research Professionals Required or
CCRP-Clinical Research Professional - SOCRA - Society of Clinical Research Associates Required
-
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :
- Strong basic and clinical research administration skills, including proven experience supporting all major functions, from strategic planning and infrastructure support to finance and budgeting, personnel management, grant and fund accounting and oversight, and clinical/regulatory compliance
- Extensive experience with the interpretation and application of state and federal regulations relative to research and academic issues as well as experience with non-government and industry sponsors
- Proven experience and demonstrated skill in policy and procedure development, quality assessment, operational improvement, and customer service
- Skills and experience related to conflict management and turnaround situations
- Relevant experience in research business administration, Lean, grants and contract management, hiring, research finance and budgeting, experience working with multiple key stakeholders and community partners.
- Ability to continuously improve processes and implement Lean thinking to ensure high-quality customer service.
- Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
- Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Negotiation — Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
- Problem solving - the ability to systematically analyze problems, draw relevant conclusions and devise appropriate courses of action.
- Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
- Technology - Demonstrated proficiency with technology platforms, for example, the Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
Shift
Work Type
Regular
Salary
$211,200.00 - $359,000.00 / yr
Benefits
At Denver Health, we take care of the people who take care of our community. Our benefits are built to support your life, your family, and your future — with generous paid time off, fully paid parental leave, exceptional retirement contributions, comprehensive health coverage, and nationally recognized well-being programs. We invest in your growth through tuition assistance, career advancement pathways, and professional development — while also offering meaningful financial advantages through loan forgiveness eligibility and employer contributions. When you join Denver Health, you’re joining a mission-driven organization that invests in you.
Here is a small list of our benefit programs:
- Paid time off starting at 28 days per year, inclusive of vacation, personal/sick, and 7 Holidays
- 100% paid parental leave up to 6 weeks
- Immediate eligibility for retirement plans with employer contribution up to 9.5%
- Generous medical, dental, vision plans in addition to employer paid disability and life insurance.
- Comprehensive well-being programs including on-site employee fitness center located on Denver Health main campus and nationally recognized RESTORE Center
- Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation)
- Childcare discount programs & exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more
- Tuition reimbursement & assistance
- Education, coaching, and professional development opportunities through the Workforce Development Center (WFDC) that support internal career growth and advancement pathways
- Professional clinical advancement program & shared governance
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer+ free student loan coaching and assistance navigating the PSLF program
National Health Service Corps (NHCS) and Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) eligible employer
-
About Denver Health
Denver Health is an integrated, high-quality academic healthcare system considered a model for the nation that includes a Level I Trauma Center, a 555-bed acute care medical center, Denver’s 911 emergency medical response system, 10 family health centers, 19 school-based health centers, Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety, the Public Health Institute at Denver Health, Denver Health Medical Plan and Denver Health Foundation.
As Colorado’s primary, and essential, safety-net healthcare system, Denver Health is a mission-driven organization that has provided millions in uncompensated care for the uninsured each year.
Located near downtown Denver, Denver Health is just minutes away from many of the cultural and recreational activities Denver has to offer.
Denver Health is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We value the unique ideas, talents and contributions reflective of the needs of our community. All job applicants for safety-sensitive positions must pass a pre-employment drug test, once a conditional offer of employment has been made. Applicants will be considered until the position is filled.
