Innovation Partnerships Manager

• University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus 
• Department: CU Innovations
• Job Title: Innovation Partnerships Manager
• Position #:00840632 – Requisition #: 37842

Job Summary:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus seeks a highly motivated and versatile Innovation Partnerships Lead to support CU Innovations’ efforts to advance healthcare discoveries through a variety of industry and inter-institutional partnerships, including data partnerships, biobanking, and technological co-development opportunities.

This jack-of-all-trades role serves as a central connector, partnering closely with faculty, industry collaborators, internal leadership, and external stakeholders to support the execution of key programs and initiatives. The Innovation Partnerships Manager will play a pivotal role in coordinating large-scale partnerships and advancing CU’s capabilities in data partnerships, and translational research collaborations.  They will provide programmatic and operational support to accelerate translational research and commercialization opportunities.

The Innovation Partnerships Manager will partner closely with faculty, licensing managers, industry collaborators, and CU Innovations leadership to perform market research, prepare marketing materials, coordinate external engagements, and manage day-to-day operational activities.

The ideal candidate will have strong project management skills and the ability to translate scientific concepts into compelling business opportunities. The ideal candidate will thrive in a complex, matrixed academic medical center environment, demonstrate scientific and technical literacy, and bring experience in biobanking, healthcare data, or strategy consulting. We are seeking a candidate with a strong project management background and the ability to translate scientific concepts into compelling business opportunities.  This person will be equally comfortable executing tactical deliverables and contributing to strategic decisions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage day-to-day execution of CU Innovations’ partnerships, ensuring program milestones, timelines, and deliverables are met.
• Support leadership in aligning cross-campus stakeholders around shared goals and program priorities.
• Act as an execution partner for high-value data industry partnerships and other strategic collaborators.
• Collaborate with business development and licensing teams to ensure alignment between contractual terms, deliverables, and scientific objectives.
• Help support research efforts to provide perspectives on industry trends, partner priorities, and competitive landscapes across biobanking, clinical data, and multimodal datasets.
• Support strategy development for partnerships by synthesizing insights from scientific, business, and regulatory perspectives.
• Engage key potential partners with potential new partnerships to expand and deepen relationships with industry partners

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 from an accredited institution in science (i.e. molecular biology, genetics, bioinformatics, biomedical engineering, biochemistry) or engineering.
• 4-6 years of experience in biobanking, healthcare consulting, data commercialization or business market research experience relevant to the responsibilities of the role.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD or advanced degree in a related scientific or engineering field.
• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant business & experience.
• Experience in healthcare consulting, management consulting, investment banking, or commercial experience at a biopharmaceutical or CDMO company.
• Knowledge of and experience working in pharmaceutical, cell and gene therapy, biobanking, healthcare data and other healthcare technology development.
• Experience implementing strategic plans within pharmaceutical, biotech, diagnostics, or medical device industries.
• Experience working directly with biospecimens, multimodal data, or translational research programs.
• Prior involvement in industry-sponsored partnerships or collaborations with biopharma, diagnostics, or healthcare technology companies.

Competencies:

• Must have ability and confidence to effectively function independently, be a self-starter, and be a team player within a collaborative organization.
• Other required skills include creativity, excellent communication (written and oral) skills, strong financial analysis, and strategic and innovative thinking capabilities.
• Must have ability to effectively present to the senior leadership level of internal and external organizations.
• Relevant business skills and knowledge, including strategic, financial, marketing and market research expertise are preferred.

How To Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1. 1.     A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position
2. 2.     Curriculum vitae / Resume
3. 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 10/17/25. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range for this position has been established as $83,083- $120,000.

The above salary range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

This position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

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.