Program Official

*University of Colorado Anschutz*

*Department: CU Innovations*

*Job Title: Program Official*

*Position #: 00851524 – Requisition #: 40766*

Job Summary:| The Program Official serves as the scientific and programmatic steward of donor- and sponsor-funded research portfolios managed by CU Innovations. This role oversees the full lifecycle of competitive funding programs, including scientific strategy, funding opportunity development, solicitation management, peer review coordination, award administration, milestone tracking, translational acceleration, donor stewardship, and impact reporting. The Program Official acts as a bridge between faculty investigators, review committees, donors, sponsors, and commercialization resources to ensure funded projects achieve meaningful scientific and translational outcomes.The role's primary responsibility is management and growth of the MIND Fund, a donor-supported initiative advancing innovation in mental health, behavioral health, therapeutics, digital health, and related fields across the CU Anschutz campus. The Program Official also oversees the SPARK proof-of-concept portfolio, supports commercialization opportunities within the Women's Health Innovation Scholar (WHINS) program, and administers the CU-managed components of translational research awards funded through the Gates Frontiers Fund.Working closely with faculty investigators, campus leadership, donors, external reviewers, and commercialization professionals, the Program Official ensures rigorous funding processes, proactive portfolio management, and transparent reporting of program outcomes. This position is ideal for a scientifically trained professional with experience managing translational research programs, competitive funding mechanisms, or foundation grant portfolios within an academic, government, or nonprofit environment.
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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:| Innovations is an integral part of The University of Colorado Anschutz, 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 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.CU Innovations Ventures is the commercialization engine of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, translating breakthrough faculty research in cell and gene therapy, drugs and diagnostics, devices, and digital health into companies that reach patients. The Program Official role is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of translational research and healthcare innovation across the CU Anschutz campus. Serving as the scientific and programmatic steward of multiple donor- and sponsor-funded research portfolios, this position directly influences which ideas receive support, how promising research progresses toward impact, and how philanthropic and sponsored funding translates into measurable outcomes for patients and society.This role oversees programs spanning mental health, women's health, regenerative medicine, cell and gene therapy, and early-stage translational research. Working closely with faculty investigators, scientific reviewers, donors, sponsors, and campus leadership, the Program Official manages the lifecycle of competitive funding programs from strategic planning and solicitation through award management, outcome tracking, and impact reporting.The position is ideal for a scientifically trained professional who enjoys combining strategic thinking, program leadership, stakeholder engagement, and translational science. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work alongside leading investigators, help launch emerging areas of research, build relationships with philanthropic partners, and support programs that accelerate discoveries toward clinical, commercial, and public-health impact.Unlike traditional grant administration positions, this role sits at the intersection of research funding, philanthropy, commercialization, and translational science. Success is measured not only by program execution, but also by the downstream impact of funded projects, including follow-on funding, partnerships, startup formation, licensing opportunities, clinical translation, and improvements in patient care.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: 15/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:

• Advanced degree (PhD, MD, DO, MD/PhD, ScD, DrPH, PharmD, DNP, or equivalent) in a relevant field required. Exceptional candidates with a master's degree and substantial experience managing scientific research portfolios, foundation grantmaking programs, or translational research initiatives may be considered.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in one or more of: foundation grantmaking, Federal research administration, sponsored research administration, or translational research program management.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.Conditions of Employment:

• Occasional evening hours required for events
• Some local travel may be required

Preferred Qualifications:

• Scientific expertise in at least one portfolio area: mental and behavioral health; cardiometabolic disease; or regenerative medicine, cell therapy, and gene therapy.
• Prior service as a foundation or federal program officer, CTSA pilot-program director, or equivalent.
• Experience with translational-research evaluation frameworks.
• Experience with donor stewardship, named-fund administration, and gift-agreement compliance in an academic medical center.
• Prior peer-review committee service.
• Track record of raising issues and concerns candidly and engaging colleagues and leadership in constructive, deliberative debate.

Competencies/Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to design and run a competitive grant or pilot-funding mechanism end-to-end, from RFP through close-out.
• Working knowledge of the federal and foundation grant lifecycle, including pre-award scientific guidance, peer-review structure, and post-award monitoring.
• Familiarity with research-compliance regimes: PHS financial conflict of interest, IRB and IACUC, Uniform Guidance, and donor-restricted gift compliance.
• Strong written and oral communication sufficient to brief donors, faculty investigators, executive leadership, and review committees.
• Strong program and project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills,
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication for donor-adjacent stakeholder interactions.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across teams

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: Amanda Perez, AMANDA.L.PEREZ@CUANSCHUTZ.EDU
Screening of Applications Begins:| Immediately and continues until position is filled. For best consideration, apply by August 31, 2026.
Anticipated Pay Range:| The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as

• $93,134 - $124,800

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 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 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.