Associate Director, UW Medicine Innovation Core

University of Washington; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 127,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

UW Medicine invites applications for Associate Director of the UW Medicine Innovation Core to advance ethical, strategic, and operational adoption of AI across UW Medicine. You will partner with executive leadership to shape governance, oversee a portfolio of AI pilots, and guide system-wide implementation that improves patient care, research, education, and operations.

The role emphasizes collaboration, program leadership, and continuous modernization of health technologies, with oversight of

Qualifications

• Master’s degree and a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience demonstrating program operations and management.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and workgroups to implement projects or organizational changes.
• Experience in supervising staff and guiding teams to achieve goals.
• Proven ability to drive process improvement and standards development.
• Ability to translate complex technological concepts into actionable strategies.
• Strong communication and presentation skills for engaging senior leadership.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office apps (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio, Project/Project Online, SharePoint) and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Innovation Core program and direct the work of the Innovation Core team.
• Guide governance, policy development, and risk evaluation for AI and emerging tech.
• Chair cross-functional committees within Innovation Core governance structures.
• Develop stakeholder relationships at UW Medicine and UW leadership levels.
• Oversee AI pilots, vendor evaluations, and enterprise adoption activities.
• Lead end-to-end execution of prioritized innovation initiatives.
• Manage budgets, resources, and communications across the portfolio.

Skills

Program operations

Cross-functional leadership

Staff supervision

Process improvement

Communication

Office applications

Data analysis

Strategic governance

Education

Master’s degree

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Visio

Project Online

SharePoint

Job description

UW Medicine has an outstanding opportunity for an Associate Director, UW Medicine Innovation Core to join their team.

About this Opportunity

Reporting to the Senior Director of Enterprise Initiatives, on an interim basis until leadership for Innovation Core has been finalized, the Associate Director, UW Medicine Innovation Core is responsible for advancing the ethical, strategic, and operational adoption of AI and emerging technologies across UW Medicine. This leader helps shape the future of healthcare innovation by building partnerships, guiding governance, supporting system-wide implementation, and accelerating transformative solutions that improve patient care, research, education, and business operations.

Key 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.
• Guide governance, policy development, and risk evaluation frameworks for AI and emerging technologies.
• Chair several cross-functional committees within Innovation Core governance structure.
• Develop and nurture trusted relationships with various stakeholders, including leadership across UW Medicine.
• Work directly with executive leadership across UW Medicine and the University of Washington to determine best practices for emerging technologies.
• Oversee portfolio of AI pilots, vendor evaluations, intake processes, and enterprise adoption activities for high-impact technologies.
• Lead the end-to-end execution of prioritized innovation initiatives.
• Manage budgets, resource planning, stakeholder communications, and performance outcomes across the innovation portfolio.
• 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 Business Analysts in developing and maintaining tools, templates, standards, and reports to support the Innovation Core team’s functions. Adopt new methodologies as appropriate.
• Lead ongoing reviews of business processes and develop optimization strategies, in close collaboration with IT and key stakeholders within the Innovation Core governance.
• 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, coach, and evaluate Innovation Core staff and future program team members.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Lead team activities, professional development efforts, and other administrative responsibilities as assigned.

This position manages employees: Innovation Core Business Analysts and future Innovation Core program staff.

Required Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree and a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience demonstrating the following:
• Program operations and/or management (e.g., scope definition, performing cost/benefit analysis, advancing multiple projects, managing team portfolio, KPI tracking)
• Ability to lead, facilitate, and participate in cross-functional teams and workgroups to implement projects or organizational changes.
• Leading, supervising, managing and/or mentoring 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
• Strong 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.

Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Manager.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in academic healthcare environments and information systems.
• Demonstrated ability to partner with leaders, employees, and teams to work toward deploying 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).

About the Team

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.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum

$126,636.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum

$175,488.00 annual

Other Compensation

Benefits

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

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 https://policy.uw.edu/directory/po/executive-orders/eo-81-prohibiting-discrimination-harassment-and-sexual-misconduct/ .

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [e-mail] .

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 https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28B.112.080 .

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.