Director, Development and Translation

Stanford University; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 207,000 - 262,000; Full time

Job summary

Stanford University seeks a Director of Project Development and Translation for Stanford Medicine Catalyst to oversee a portfolio of early-stage healthcare projects, guiding them from bench to bedside and securing investor support.

You will lead a team of project managers, develop multi-year business plans, conduct market analyses, and coordinate with researchers, clinicians, and investors to translate innovations into clinical impact within the Stanford healthcare ecosystem.

Qualifications

• BS, MS, MBA or PhD in Business, Science, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a large portfolio of early-stage Catalyst healthcare projects, guiding them from research through to clinical and commercial translation.
• Hire, lead, and develop a high-performing team of project managers and staff; oversee career development and performance.
• Drive multi-year business plans and pilot implementations within the Stanford healthcare ecosystem.
• Conduct market and clinical analyses to support strategic decision-making and investor engagement.
• Lead negotiations and communications with researchers, investors, and industry partners.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical skills

Financial forecasting

Change management

Hands-on

Education

BS/MS/MBA/PhD in Business or Science

Bachelor’s degree with 7+ years experience in admin/financial management

Tools

Google Suite

Microsoft Office (Excel/Word/PowerPoint)

Airtable

Smartsheet

Job description

Job Description

Stanford Medicine, Catalyst serves as Stanford Medicine’s flagship innovation program to support inventors across the Stanford community in developing and accelerating their most promising innovations for transformative health. Catalyst supports impactful, prototype-stage innovations across the spectrum of healthcare and fosters these innovations by offering up to $1M in capital, mentorship, and access to industry experts. Chosen projects also receive program management, validation resources, testing and deployment within a regional health care system, go-to-market resources, readiness for independence, and exposure to outside investors.

The Director of Project Development and Translation manages a diverse portfolio of early-stage Catalyst Projects at Stanford University and Stanford Medicine, driving their progression from bench-to-bedside. Leading a team of project managers, the Director ensures timely project milestones and resource delivery. With a focus on successful Catalyst Project translation beyond the Stanford research environment, they develop multi-year business plans and pilot innovations within the Stanford healthcare ecosystem. The role includes direct engagement with investors and strategic partners—such as angel investors, venture capital, private equity, biotech corporates, incubators, and grant funders—to secure financial backing and commercialization readiness.

The Director facilitates understanding of market and investment landscapes across biotech/pharma, medtech, digital health/AI, and diagnostics to support strategic decision-making and innovation success.

In addition to project oversight, the Director provides Catalyst Project with strategic leadership and operational management, aligning programs with organizational goals, fostering innovation, and preparing projects for independence and sustainable impact through program management, validation, testing, and investor exposure.

Duties include*:

• Oversee a large portfolio of early-stage Catalyst healthcare Projects, guiding them from research and development through to clinical and commercial translation (“bench to bedside”).

• Hire, lead, and develop a high-performing team of project managers and staff; oversee career development, performance management, and team structure to ensure effective project execution, timely milestone achievement, and overall program success.

• Drive the development and execution of multi-year business plans, including pilot implementations within the Stanford healthcare ecosystem.

• Conduct market and clinical application analyses—including indication assessments, unmet need evaluations, market tracking, and business model development—and synthesize information from diverse sources to produce comprehensive market reports that inform strategic decision-making for Stanford Medicine Catalyst initiatives.

• Lead and facilitate high-level negotiations, communications, and presentations across diverse stakeholder groups, including academic researchers, corporate partners, investors, and industry collaborators. Effectively bridge cultural and organizational differences to build consensus, foster partnerships, and advance project goals.

• Provide strategic leadership for the program, including long‑term planning, resource allocation, and alignment with institutional goals; serve as a key advisor to senior leadership on program direction, policy development, and broader institutional initiatives; evaluate organizational structure and effectiveness to drive continuous improvement in processes, team performance, and impact.

• Cultivate relationships with investors, strategic partners, and funding sources (e.g., VCs, angel investors, private equity, biotech corporates, incubators, and grant funders) to secure financial and strategic support for translational projects.

• Manage and contribute to outreach strategies, including relationship building and communication with internal and external stakeholders such as Stanford Health Care (SHC), Stanford Children’s Health (SCH), Industry Relations (IR), VCs, and industry partners.

* - Other duties may also be assigned.

Qualifications:

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• BS, MS, MBA, or PhD in Business, Science, or a related field.

• Minimum of seven years of relevant experience in the healthcare technology industry, including startups, corporates, incubators, or venture capital.

• Experience with private healthcare startups. Familiarity with commercialization strategies and scaling from a seed stage is a strong plus.

• Proven operational leadership experience in early‑stage startups, including business development and transactional engagements, and/or successful private fundraising from venture capital, angel investors, or strategic partners.

• Deep understanding of innovation and development in one or more of early‑stage therapeutics, including biotech and pharma, medtech, and/or digital health.

• Proven ability to navigate and contribute to high‑growth or emerging healthcare technology environments.

• Strong technical and quantitative skills with demonstrated ability to execute complex analyses.

• “Hands‑on” orientation, with demonstrated ability to roll‑up‑sleeves with teams tactically, while still being able to operate effectively strategically.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage with senior management and executive stakeholders.

• Proficiency with productivity and project management tools, including Google Suite, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Airtable, and Smartsheet.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE (REQUIRED):

Bachelor’s degree and seven years of relevant experience in administrative and financial management, or combination of education and relevant experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (REQUIRED):

• Demonstrated leadership, supervisory, planning and change management skills.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Able to influence people, solve problems, trouble shoot, think creatively and resolve conflicts.

• Advanced financial expertise in budget planning, and financial forecasting.

• Advanced analytical and problem solving skills Strong knowledge of industry standards and/or regulatory requirements.

• Subject matter expertise for area(s) of responsibility.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:

• Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks.

• Frequently sitting.

• Occasionally stand/walk, reach/work above shoulders, use a telephone, writing by hand, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.

• Rarely twist/bend/stoop/squat, sort/file paperwork or parts, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh 11-20 pounds.

*- Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Occasionally work evenings and weekends.

WORK STANDARDS:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.

• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors bases on training and lessons learned.

• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu .

The expected pay range for this position is $206,749 to $261,619 per annum.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website ( https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards ) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.