INNOVATION & ACADEMIC PROGRAMS DIRECTOR

University of Alabama at Birmingham; Birmingham (AL); Hybrid; USD 67,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Alabama at Birmingham is seeking an Innovation & Academic Programs Director to provide strategic leadership for academic innovation, healthcare innovation, programming, and commercialization within the Heersink Institute for Biomedical Innovation.

This role supports curriculum growth, oversees student product development and ventures, and builds partnerships with industry and clinical leaders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and ten (10) years of related experience required.

Responsibilities

• Academic program leadership to advance Healthcare Innovation track and practicum experiences.
• Lead student product development ecosystem from ideation to early commercialization.
• Develop commercialization advisory board and partnerships for ventures.
• Brand development for AI-enabled innovation and dissemination of resources.
• Establish governance for ethical, regulatory, and institutional compliance.
• Integrate team science into Training Academy programs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Academic innovation

Healthcare innovation

Governance

Partnership development

Team science

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Job description

Job Description - INNOVATION & ACADEMIC PROGRAMS DIRECTOR (T236558)

INNOVATION & ACADEMIC PROGRAMS DIRECTOR - ( T236558 )

Description

To provide strategic leadership leadership, academic innovation, healthcare innovation, programming, and commercialization efforts with the Heersink Institute for Biomedical Innovation (MHIBI) within the Heersink School of Medicine (HSOM). To support curriculum growth, oversee student product development and venture activities, build partnerships with industry and clinical leaders, and establish governance for ethical and responsible innovation. To promote Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) Training Academy efforts by developing programs for students, trainees, and emerging leaders by integrating team science principles into existing educational programs. To develop training opportunities that strengthen collaborative research, interdisciplinary engagement, and leadership development.

This position will provide leadership for academic innovation, healthcare innovation programming, and commercialization efforts within the Institute. The role will support curriculum growth, oversee student product development and venture activities, build partnerships with industry and clinical leaders, and help establish governance for ethical and responsible innovation. Additionally, the position will support CCTS Training Academy efforts by developing and integrating team science curriculum into training programs for students, trainees, and emerging research leaders.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Academic Program Leadership: Provide strategic leadership for academic programming within the Institute, with particular emphasis on the Healthcare Innovation (HCI) track. Support HCI curriculum coherence and growth. Help oversee Practicum II experiences, ensuring projects align with real-world innovation, commercialization, and clinical impact.
• Innovation Product Development Ecosystem: Lead development of the Institute for Biomedical Innovation Founders Club Establish and manage a structured process for student product development, from ideation through validation and early commercialization. Oversee growth and quality of student-led products and ventures, ensuring alignment with responsible AI and institutional standards.
• Commercialization Advisory Engagement: Develop and convene an Advisory Board for Commercialization, engaging industry, clinical, and entrepreneurial leaders to support student and faculty ventures. Collaborate with internal and external partners to support venture acceleration, mentorship, and commercialization pathways. Work closely with faculty, leadership, and innovation partners (including related teams) to support scale-up initiatives.
• Thought Leadership Brand Development: Build and advance the Institute's brand around AI-enabled innovation and commercialization. Lead development of white papers, frameworks, and applied resources showcasing the Institute's thought leadership and student/faculty work. Curate and disseminate innovation resources to students, faculty, and external partners.
• Governance, Oversight Collaboration: Establish governance and oversight mechanisms for student-generated products, ensuring ethical, regulatory, and institutional compliance. Collaborate with Institute leadership on long-term academic strategy, program evaluation, and continuous improvement. Serve as a visible leader and ambassador for the Institute's academic innovation mission.
• CCTS Training Academy Team Science Lead: Work with established Training Academy programs to weave team science curriculum into current offerings (CTSTP, TIERS, etc.). Develop team science training modules for new and rising leadership programs in CCTS including the Collaborative Research and Effective Teamwork Essentials (CREATE) program and the Clinical Trialist Development Program (CTDP). Work with training grant directors (particularly pre-doctoral T32 leadership) to develop team science workshops for trainees to expand their knowledge base of team science principles.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Salary Range: $67,070 - $108,990

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a related field and ten (10) years of related experience required. Work experience may NOT substitute for education requirement.

UAB is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, age, disability, and veteran's status. As required by Title IX, UAB prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to UAB's Assistant Vice President and Senior Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX notice of nondiscrimination is located at uab.edu/titleix.

Primary Location

University

Job Category

Professional & Managerial

Organization

310000000 School of Medicine Dean's Office

Employee Status

Regular

Shift : Day/1st Shift

Work Arrangement (final schedule to be determined by the department/hiring manager) : Hybrid Eligible