Chief Academic Officer

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Department

Job Summary

The Chief Academic Officer reports to the CEO and provides leadership, direction, strategic vision, and oversight for research and sponsored programs and for the alignment of Denver Health's academic mission in research, education, and related initiatives. As an academic learning health system, Denver Health is founded on the belief that integrating clinical care, research, and medical education fosters innovation, improves health outcomes, and enhances the learning experience. In this role, the Chief Academic Officer is expected to work collaboratively with executive leadership, management, investigators, and program directors to lead and grow a well-supported, multidisciplinary enterprise program of research and sponsored programs and aligned components of Denver Health's academic mission that improve operational excellence and clinical care through systematic evaluation and scientific advancement and education.

Essential Functions:

• Research: Directly engages in and conducts research as principal investigator and/or co-investigator. Presents and publishes research and sponsored program outcomes and findings, including peer-reviewed and nontraditional channels. Seeks and secures external funding to support research programs through grant proposals and related mechanisms. (30%)
• Operations and alignment of academic mission: Leads and directs the work of investigators, program managers, project directors, and related divisions and personnel engaged in research and sponsored programs. Advises and coordinates with executive and management personnel and the Denver Health Board of Directors as needed on research and sponsored program activities and opportunities. (20%)
• Strategic Planning and Development: Leads strategic planning for research and education in coordination with executive leadership. Participates in developing goals, tactics, metrics, and coordinated initiatives. Builds networks with research collaborators, funding agencies, and institutional partners. Develops strategic responses to local, regional, and national funding priorities, policies, and legislative actions. Leads the development of sustainable infrastructure to support research activities, including centers of expertise and excellence. Works in alignment with the Denver Health Foundation to represent Denver Health's interests with external agencies, foundations, corporations, and individuals who are existing or potential collaborators or funders. (20%)
• Financial Management: Establishes and maintains responsible financial management for research, including Denver Health's Sponsored Programs and Research Office (SPARO), and grant staffing. Manages an internal funding pool to support pilot projects, internal R&D, bridge funding, and professional development. (10%)
• Mentorship and Personnel Development: Provides mentorship to junior investigators, students, and staff. Advises on professional development and leads structured programs such as grants workshops, writing seminars, journal clubs, and other professional development activities aligned with the academic mission. Sets expectations, uses accountability-based management practices, and provides feedback and support. (10%)
• Clinical Practice: May provide clinical care in area of specialty practice. (10%)

Education:

• Doctorate Degree MD, DO, DDS/DMD or Doctorate degree in a health-related field required

* If a physician is hired, service hours may be allocated in the appropriate service line and salary will be commensurate.

Work Experience:

• 10+ years 10+ years of progressively responsible and directly related management experience, including success in securing external research funding Required
• 4-6 years 4-6 years of scholarly achievement including peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations Required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• National reputation with demonstrated innovation, collaboration, research success, and scholarship
• Proven ability to build and lead a research program in a health care delivery system
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary collaborations across departments and institutions
• Expertise in developing strategic partnerships and overseeing personnel and financial operations
• Critical Thinking - Uses logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considers the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Communicating - Communicates effectively orally and in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience in order to effectively share information with individuals from various backgrounds, experience and educational levels.

Shift

Work Type

Salary

Benefits

• Outstanding benefits including up to 27 paid days off per year, immediate retirement plan employer contribution up to 9.5%, and generous medical plans

• Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation)

• On-site employee fitness center and wellness classes

• Childcare discount programs & exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more

• Tuition reimbursement & assistance

• Education & development opportunities including career pathways and coaching

• 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

Our Values

• Respect

• Belonging

• Accountability

• Transparency

All job applicants for safety-sensitive positions must pass a pre-employment drug test, once a conditional offer of employment has been made.

Denver Health is an integrated, high-quality academic health care 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, a Public Health Institute, an HMO and The Denver Health Foundation.

As Colorado's primary, and essential, safety-net institution, Denver Health is a mission-driven organization that has provided billions in uncompensated care for the uninsured. Denver Health is viewed as an Anchor Institution for the community, focusing on hiring and purchasing locally as applicable, serving as a pillar for community needs, and caring for more than 185,000 individuals and 67,000 children a 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.

Applicants will be considered until the position is filled.