Innovation Core Operations and Portfolio Manager

The UW School of Medicine has an outstanding opportunity for an Innovation Core Operations and Portfolio Manager. The UW Medicine Innovation Core is a strategic hub dedicated to guiding the ethical and responsible use of AI and emerging technologies across the health system. By developing system-wide processes and uniting efforts across research, care delivery, and education, the Innovation Core team ensures that innovative tools are thoughtfully integrated to support patient care, operational effectiveness, and UW Medicine strategic priorities. Whether enabling researchers to analyze disease, clinicians to envision the hospital of the future, or administrators to improve systems, the Innovation Core accelerates promising innovations into real-world pilots and builds pathways for successful adoption system-wide, promoting equity and benefit for all communities served by UW Medicine. This position will report to the Senior Director of Enterprise Initiatives on an interim basis until leadership for Innovation Core has been finalized. UW Medicine is seeking a forward‑thinking, technology‑savvy leader to help guide the responsible adoption of AI and emerging technologies across UW Medicine. The Innovation Core Operations and Portfolio Manager is responsible for providing operational leadership and oversight of the Innovation Core team while collaborating with other Innovation Core leadership to establish and evolve the program vision, strategy, education, and engagement across UW Medicine. Additionally, the Innovation Core Operations and Portfolio Manager provides leadership in managing the Innovation Core portfolio, overseeing and facilitating the evaluation, execution, and adoption of individual innovation initiatives, including pilot programs and system‑wide implementation, and plays a key role in supporting the Innovation Core governance committees. This role will utilize specialized knowledge of the program to advise and direct key partners and stakeholders across UW Medicine on how to navigate and successfully implement innovation at UW Medicine while mitigating risk. They also inform how the program will allocate resources, establish and revise policies, procedures, and processes. The Innovation Core Operations and Portfolio Manager operates with a high level of program and project management proficiency, providing direction, counsel and guidance to the Innovation Core Business Analysts (Innovation Core BAs), business owners, and leaders across UW Medicine to ensure successful review and execution of innovation initiatives. This role ensures that all use cases within the Innovation Core portfolio align with UW Medicine's strategies and priorities through effective intake processes, comprehensive risk assessments, development of key performance indicators, and clear communication with stakeholders. This role requires exercising discretion, independent judgment, and self‑direction, and involves access to restricted or confidential information such as patient information, institutional strategies, financials, and other sensitive materials. Duties And Responsibilities Innovation Core Oversight and Leadership (70%) Oversee the Innovation Core program and direct the work of the Innovation Core team while providing program and project leadership in alignment with UW Medicine’s mission and strategic goals. Actively shape and champion the Innovation Core’s vision to future‑proof UW Medicine through ethical, impactful technology adoption. Identify opportunities for disruptive innovation, anticipate industry trends, and position UW Medicine as a national leader in healthcare technology adoption while mitigating risk in a highly regulated and evolving field. Collaborate with other Innovation Core leadership to evolve the program vision, strategy, education, and engagement across UW Medicine. Work directly with executive leadership across UW Medicine and the University of Washington to determine best practices for emerging technologies. Develop institution‑wide policy around innovative technologies (e.g., AI Policy). Oversee the AI governance structure across UW Medicine, chairing committees, streamlining processes, influencing decision‑making, managing and facilitating the review of individual use case proposals, and developing risk evaluation frameworks that balance innovation speed with patient safety, ethics, and equity. Lead, staff, or support future committees within Innovation Core governance structures. Understand interdependencies between technology, operations, and business needs to help Innovation Core and stakeholders achieve organizational goals. Enable development of innovative solutions with venture partners and prioritize problem areas within UW Medicine to solve. Enable a rapid pilot environment for validation and testing of innovative solutions. Oversee feasibility studies, vendor selections, and proposals for evaluation by key stakeholders to ensure consistent risk mitigation and alignment with goals. Demonstrate functional acumen to support how individual use cases and solutions meet specific goals while aligning with UW Medicine and industry best practices. Develop and nurture trusted relationships with various stakeholders, including leadership across UW and UW Medicine. Manage system‑wide impacts to align with enterprise strategic goals. Develop and manage the strategic budget for Innovation Core investments in innovation activities across the system, partnering with the Strategy Committee to set year‑over‑year goals. Manage Innovation Core office budget, including submission through the UW Medicine process and identification of resources. Recommend and execute operational budget management, forecasting, new initiatives, procurement, vendor oversight, budget compliance documentation, and long‑term planning. Drive the AI and innovation portfolio, ensuring rigorous evaluation of pilots and rapid scaling of technologies that enhance patient care, research, and operations. Collaborate with IT leaders and IT governance committees to drive successful collaboration, coordination, decision‑making, and project delivery. Lead end‑to‑end execution of prioritized innovation initiatives, ensuring they are completed on time, within scope, and within budget. Conceptualize and communicate solutions effectively to technical and non‑technical stakeholders, translating complex concepts into actionable insights. Oversee the UW Medicine AI intake process, in partnership with IT, for new AI use cases. Collaborate with business owners to review and assess individual business cases for strategic alignment, budget, cost/benefit analysis, and key performance indicators (KPIs). Partner with Strategic Marketing & Communications and IT to implement the Innovation Core strategic communication, engagement, and literacy plans. Address issues escalated by innovation governance committees, BAs, IT owners, and business owners on use cases. Regularly document and communicate progress of Innovation Core initiatives and use cases to key stakeholders, including UW Medicine executive and department leadership. Process Improvement Initiatives (20%) Provide direction to and oversee the Innovation BAs in developing and maintaining tools, templates, standards, and reports to support the Innovation Core team’s functions and adopt new methodologies as appropriate. Lead ongoing reviews of business processes and develop optimization strategies in close collaboration with IT and key stakeholders. Continuously scout, evaluate, and champion emerging technologies (AI, automation, digital health, cloud, data analytics) to modernize systems and deliver measurable improvements. Personnel Management and Administration (10%) Supervise and provide oversight for the Innovation BAs and other future program roles in the Innovation Core, conducting annual performance reviews. Provide leadership to Innovation BAs by motivating them to meet goals and adhering to responsibilities and team standards. Continue professional development to stay abreast of emerging technologies, methods, and best practices. Schedule meetings to support the Innovation Core and innovation use cases as needed. Lead team and departmental meetings as appropriate. Other duties as assigned. Minimum Requirements Master’s degree and a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience demonstrating program operations and/or management (e.g., scope definition, cost/benefit analysis, managing multiple projects, portfolio management, KPI tracking). Lead, facilitate, and participate in cross‑functional teams and workgroups to implement projects or organizational changes. Lead, supervise, manage, and/or mentor staff. Process improvement and standards development. Curiosity and ability to translate complex technological concepts into actionable strategies. Strong communication and presentation skills for engaging various levels of stakeholders, including senior leadership. Organizational, analytical, and multitasking abilities with a results‑driven mindset and adaptability to shifting priorities and ambiguity. Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio, Project/Project Online, SharePoint), data analysis, information management, and process mapping. Desired Qualifications Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum requirements. Prior experience in academic healthcare environments and information systems. Demonstrated ability to partner with leaders, employees, and teams to drive deployment of a different future state. Strong grasp of AI principles, healthcare data, and the evolving landscape of digital health technologies, including automation, predictive analytics, and cloud‑based platforms. Ability to apply service management methodologies/concepts and financial concepts (e.g., return on investment or ROI). Application Requirement This recruitment requires a cover letter. Your application will not be considered unless you attach a cover letter. Compensation, Benefits and Position Details Pay Range Minimum: $126,636.00 annual Pay Range Maximum: $153,492.00 annual Benefits: For information about benefits for this position, visit Shift: First Shift (United States of America) Temporary or Regular?: This is a regular position FTE (Full‑Time Equivalent): 100.00% Union/Bargaining Unit: Not Applicable About The UW Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem‑solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. Our Commitment The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io. Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law. #J-18808-Ljbffr University of Washington