Director of the University of Colorado Anschutz Cancer Center

University of Colorado Anschutz

Department: University of Colorado Anschutz CancerCenter

Job Title: Director of the University of Colorado AnschutzCancer Center

Position #00816472 – Requisition #38987

The Director of the CU Cancer Center provides overarching strategic, scientific, and operational leadership for Colorado's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. The position carries responsibility for advancing the Center's multifaceted mission to discover, develop, and deliver tomorrow's innovative cancer treatments while expanding prevention, early detection, and survivorship efforts across Colorado and the region.

The Director will champion the Center's interdisciplinary approach to research and care, uniting discovery, translational, clinical, and population sciences under a shared vision of collaboration and impact. The CU Cancer Center includes over 280 faculty members across the University of Colorado system and partner institutions, including University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado State University Flint Animal Cancer Center, UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, Children's Hospital Colorado, Denver Health, the Rocky Mountain VA Medical Center, and UCHealth locations across the state.

As a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the Oncology Research Information Exchange Network (ORIEN), the CU Cancer Center is nationally recognized for integrating science, clinical innovation, and community partnerships. The Director will play a critical role in maintaining and strengthening these partnerships, ensuring that the Center remains a hub for cutting‑edge cancer research and comprehensive patient care.

The Director will also serve as the Principal Investigator for the Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG), ensuring compliance with NCI requirements and positioning the Center for continued excellence and renewal. In this role, the Director will align resources, foster collaboration across programs, and lead strategic planning efforts that sustain the Center's scientific leadership and regional relevance.

This is a full-time position located at University of Colorado Anschutz in Aurora, Colorado. The Director will also hold an appointment as Professor (tenure‑eligible) in a relevant academic department.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Vision

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategic vision for the University of Colorado Cancer Center to reduce the burden of cancer for all Coloradans and beyond.
• Promote innovation and collaboration across interdisciplinary research programs that span discovery, translation and population research and its faculty members.
• Serve as a visible, influential leader regionally and nationally, representing the CU Cancer Center within NCI, AACI, NCCN, ASCO, AACR, and other key organizations.

Scientific and Research Leadership

• Provide strategic oversight for all Cancer Center research programs and shared resource cores.
• Foster cross‑disciplinary, team‑based science that bridges laboratory, clinical, and population‑based research.
• Mentor program leaders and faculty to sustain strong extramural funding portfolios and impactful scholarship.
• Lead continuous preparation for NCI CCSG renewal and external reviews.

Clinical Integration and Care Delivery

• Continually foster productive collaborative partnerships with UCHealth, Children's Hospital Colorado, Denver Health, and the Rocky Mountain VA Medical Center.
• Ensure the seamless integration of research discoveries into patient care through investigator‑initiated trials and precision oncology programs.
• Expand equitable access to cancer prevention and treatment across Colorado and the region.

Administration and Operations

• Oversee all administrative, financial, and operational components of the Cancer Center.
• Manage senior leadership and governance structures, including internal committees and the External Advisory Board.
• Ensure compliance with NCI Cancer Centers Program requirements and University, state and federal policies.

Faculty and Staff Recruitment and Development

• Recruit, mentor, and retain outstanding cancer researchers, clinicians, educators, and staff.
• Cultivate a collaborative, inclusive environment that supports career advancement for all individuals.

Community Engagement and Catchment Impact

• Lead initiatives to reduce cancer burden across the CU Cancer Center's catchment area through prevention, early detection, and outreach.
• Partner with communities, advocacy organizations, and public health agencies to address disparities in cancer outcomes.

Education and Training

• Advance cancer education and mentorship for medical students, residents, fellows, and postdoctoral researchers.
• Support training grants and programs that prepare future oncology leaders.

Philanthropy and External Relations

• Collaborate with the CU Anschutz Office of Advancement to expand philanthropic investment in research and clinical programs.
• Engage with donors, foundations, and industry partners to build support for strategic initiatives.

Culture

• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and excellence across all areas of the Cancer Center.

Work Location:

Onsite – this role is expected to work onsite and is located in Aurora, Colorado

Why Join Us:

The University of Colorado Anschutz is a world‑class academic medical campus leading transformative advances in science, medicine, education and patient care. The campus includes the University of Colorado's health professional schools, more than 60 centers and institutes, and two nationally ranked independent hospitals – UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital and Children's Hospital Colorado – which see nearly three million adult and pediatric patient visits each year. Innovative, interconnected and highly collaborative, CU Anschutz delivers life‑changing treatments, exceptional patient care and top‑tier professional training.

The campus conducts world‑renowned research supported by $890 million in funding, including $762 million in sponsored awards and $128 million in philanthropic gifts for research. The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is a public education, clinical and research facility serving 4,500 students, and a world‑class medical destination at the forefront of life‑changing science, medicine, and healthcare. CU Anschutz offers more than 40 highly rated degree programs through 6 schools and colleges. We are the single largest health professions education provider in Colorado, awarding nearly 1,450 degrees annually. Powered by our award‑winning faculty, renowned researchers and a reputation for academic excellence, the CU Anschutz Medical Campus drives innovation from the classroom to the laboratory to the delivery of unparalleled patient care. Read CU Anschutz Quick Facts here.

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:

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

• M.D., Ph.D., D.O., or M.D./Ph.D. (or equivalent) in a cancer-related field.
• National reputation for excellence in cancer research as a physician‑scientist and/or cancer researcher.
• Demonstrated success in attracting, recruiting, and developing world‑class scientific and clinical leaders and successful experience in team building, strategy setting, and advancing scientific goals.
• Eligibility for appointment at the rank of Professor (tenure‑eligible) in the School of Medicine.
• Proven record of securing extramural research funding and managing complex, multidisciplinary programs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience serving as PI or senior leader of an NCI-designated Cancer Center.
• Record of developing successful research and clinical partnerships across institutions.
• Demonstrated commitment to cultivating environments that encourage mutual respect, understanding, and active participation from all members and the community.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the Cancer Center and broader institution.
• Strong strategic vision and ability to execute complex institutional initiatives.
• Excellent leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to inspire collaboration across scientific, clinical, and administrative disciplines.
• Capacity to strategically represent the Cancer Center to internal and external stakeholders.

Questions should be directed to: Mark Couch at View email address on click.appcast.io

Screening of Applications Begins: Immediately and continues until the position is filled. For best consideration apply by 5/31/2026.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as HIRING RANGE:

$400,000- $1,000,000

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 unless it is non‑exempt.

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:

The University of Colorado (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 View email address on click.appcast.io.

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.