Vice President for AI Healthcare Innovation

The Vice President (ED) of the UConn Health AI Institute will serve as the founding leader responsible for building and scaling a nationally recognized hub for AI-driven healthcare innovation. The ED will translate UConn Health’s strategic vision into operational, clinical, and financial success by positioning the Institute as a premier clinical proving ground for external AI companies, accelerating adoption of validated technologies, and generating long-term institutional value through strategic investment. This role requires a unique combination of healthcare leadership, change management in legacy organizations, knowledge of venture investing, operational execution, and academic collaboration. Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Institute Development Establish and operationalize the AI Institute in alignment with UConn Health’s mission and strategic priorities Define and execute a market-oriented strategy focused on identifying, evaluating, and integrating best-in-class external AI solutions rather than primarily incubating internal startups Position UConn Health as a trusted validation environment for AI solutions leveraging real-world operational, and clinical workflows and patient data as appropriate. Build the Institute’s national reputation as a leader in healthcare AI innovation Clinical & Operational AI Integration Partner with clinical, operational, and administrative leaders to: Identify high-priority unmet needs across UConn Health Define use cases for AI deployment Oversee structured pilots, validation studies, and enterprise-scale deployment of AI solutions Ensure measurable improvements in: Patient outcomes Operational efficiency Financial performance External Partnerships & Ecosystem Development Develop a robust pipeline of AI companies for evaluation and partnership Serve as a strategic liaison between: AI startups and UConn Health departments and stakeholders UConn Health clinical leadership Academic units (including the School of Business) as appropriate Establish UConn Health as a preferred partner for leading healthcare AI innovators Venture Fund & Investment Collaboration Work in close partnership with the AI Institute Investment Committee, chaired by John Kim Support sourcing, evaluation, and validation of companies for potential investment Ensure that clinical pilots and operational results inform disciplined investment decisions Contribute to building a high-performing venture portfolio that delivers long-term financial returns to UConn Health Governance & Institutional Alignment Report to UConn Health CEO within the UConn Health Finance Corporation Collaborate with the Institute’s governing board, including external members and philanthropic partners Ensure transparency, accountability, and alignment with institutional priorities Financial Stewardship & Sustainability Manage a dual-structured model balancing: Directly responsible for managing the operating budget Provide strategic and operational support for the venture fund Drive progress toward a self-sustaining financial model through: Creating tangible revenue and expense efficiencies for UCONN Health Returns from the venture investments Licensing and commercialization opportunities Support ongoing fundraising and donor engagement efforts Team Building & Organizational Leadership As the Institute evolves recruit and lead a multidisciplinary team across: AI/technology evaluation Clinical integration Data science Business development and operations Foster a culture of rigor, speed, accountability, and innovation Key Qualifications Required Advanced degree (PhD, MBA, MD or equivalent) 15+ years of leadership experience in healthcare, technology, or innovation-driven organizations Demonstrated experience in AI, digital health, or healthcare transformation initiatives Experience in healthcare systems, clinical workflows, and data environments Experience leading cross-functional teams and complex implementations Preferred Knowledge of venture capital, private equity, or corporate investment Experience in evaluating and scaling emerging technology companies Experience working in academic medical centers or research institutions Familiarity with regulatory, compliance, and ethical considerations in healthcare AI Core Competencies Strategic vision with execution discipline Change management leadership of large organizations Strong stakeholder engagement and partnership skills Data-driven decision-making Ability to operate at the intersection of academic medicine, industry, and capital markets Investment and commercial acumen Success Metrics (Illustrative) Number and quality of AI solutions evaluated and deployed Measurable clinical and operational improvements External partnerships and national reputation of the Institute Progress toward financial sustainability Why This Role Matters This is a foundational leadership role with the opportunity to shape a first-in-kind model: an AI Institute that integrates clinical validation, operational transformation, and venture investment into a unified platform. The Executive Leadership Director will play a central role in advancing UConn Health’s position as a leader in AI-enabled healthcare innovation. #J-18808-Ljbffr University of Connecticut