Associate Chief Research Officer

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Department

Job Summary
The Associate Chief Research Officer (ACRO) reports directly to the Chief Academic Officer and provides strategic leadership for Denver Health's research enterprise, with a particular focus on health services research in an academic safety-net learning health system. This role is held by an accomplished MD or PhD faculty member with a national reputation, a strong record of grant-funded research, demonstrated success building and leading multidisciplinary research programs, and a commitment to research mentorship and career development in a safety net system. The ACRO maintains an active, externally funded research portfolio while working closely with other leaders in the Office of Academic Affairs and across the organization to advance Denver Health's mission through research that directly informs and improves clinical practice.
The ACRO directs the Center for Health Systems Research, overseeing scientific strategy, personnel, and programmatic growth. The role includes supervising research faculty and staff, expanding research training and fellowship programs, strengthening grant development and scientific leadership across departments, and fostering productive collaborations with the University of Colorado and other partners. The ACRO also supports learner research, serves as a key liaison to department chairs, and helps align institutional research priorities with funding opportunities. Through collaborative leadership, strategic planning, and strong communication, the ACRO advances Denver Health's position as a leader in impactful, practice-changing research.
Essential Functions:

• Directly engages in and conducts research as principal investigator and/or co-investigator. Presents and publishes research outcomes and findings, including peer-reviewed and nontraditional channels. Seeks and secures external funding to support research programs through grant proposals and related mechanisms. For MD or other candidates who provide clinical care, this time could also include clinical effort. (50%)
• Direct the Center for Health Systems Research. Supervise a team of PhD and master’s level research scientists. Set scientific direction and strategy. Expand research workshop and seminar offerings. Oversee and expand support for the DH pilot grant program. Oversee development of new fellowship programs for DH faculty with a focus on learning health systems. Facilitate productive collaborations with the University of Colorado. (20%)
• Grant writing and Scientific Leadership. Work closely with Department Chairs, the Denver Health Foundation, and CU collaborators to identify grant opportunities for which DH is uniquely positioned. Assemble and support multidisciplinary research teams to pursue grant funding. Support and supervise grant-writing efforts. (10%)
• Oversee research collaborations with the University of Colorado. Work closely with the Associate Chief for Research Operations to develop new processes to facilitate and support CU-DH research collaborations. Develop and pursue funding for new educational/career development programming to support DH clinicians acting as site PIs (5%)
• Oversee learner research at DH, in close collaborations with the OOE. Develop processes to facilitate research engagement and mentorship for medical students, residents and fellows. (10%)
• Serve as a liaison to DH department chairs. Communicate frequently to ensure research needs are met. Create new communication channels to share research opportunities. (5%)
• Clinical practice: may provide clinical care in area of specialty practice, if applicable. (0%)

Education:

• If MD/DO: Doctorate Degree Doctorate Degree from an accredited medical school Required or
• IF PHD: Doctorate Degree PhD in Health Services Research, Health Policy, Public Health, Epidemiology, Implementation Science, Nursing or other related fields Required

Work Experience:

• 7-9 years Experience as an MD or PhD faculty (at rank of associate professor or above) with a national reputation and track-record of successful grant-funded research Required

Licenses:

• MD- Physician - DORA - Department of Regulatory Agencies

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of health services research and health care delivery systems, including learning health system principles.
• Knowledge of research funding mechanisms and grants administration.
• Skilled in research governance, compliance, and operations within integrated health systems.
• Skilled in leading externally funded, multidisciplinary research programs.
• Skilled in grant writing, team assembly, and scientific leadership for competitive proposals.
• Ability to build and sustain cross-departmental and inter-institutional collaborations.
• Ability to balance independent research productivity with institutional leadership responsibilities.
• Ability to influence and lead in a complex, matrixed academic health system.
• Ability to set direction aligned with organizational mission and funding priorities.
• Effective written and verbal communication with academic, clinical, and executive stakeholders.
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite.

Shift

Work Type

Salary

Benefits

At Denver Health, we take care of the people who take care of our community. Our benefits are built to support your life, your family, and your future — with generous paid time off, fully paid parental leave, exceptional retirement contributions, comprehensive health coverage, and nationally recognized well-being programs. We invest in your growth through tuition assistance, career advancement pathways, and professional development — while also offering meaningful financial advantages through loan forgiveness eligibility and employer contributions. When you join Denver Health, you’re joining a mission-driven organization that invests in you.

Here is a small list of our benefit programs:

• Paid time off starting at 28 days per year, inclusive of vacation, personal/sick, and 7 Holidays

• 100% paid parental leave up to 6 weeks

• Immediate eligibility for retirement plans with employer contribution up to 9.5%

• Generous medical, dental, vision plans in addition to employer paid disability and life insurance.

• Comprehensive well-being programs including on-site employee fitness center located on Denver Health main campus and nationally recognized RESTORE Center

• Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation)

• Childcare discount programs & exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more

• Tuition reimbursement & assistance

• Education, coaching, and professional development opportunities through the Workforce Development Center (WFDC) that support internal career growth and advancement pathways

• Professional clinical advancement program & shared governance

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer+ free student loan coaching and assistance navigating the PSLF program

• National Health Service Corps (NHCS) and Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) eligible employer

About Denver Health

Denver Health is an integrated, high-quality academic health care system considered a model for the nation that includes a Level I Trauma Center, a 555-bed acute care medical center, Denver’s 911 emergency medical response system, 10 family health centers, 19 school-based health centers, Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety, the Public Health Institute at Denver Health, Denver Health Medical Plan and Denver Health Foundation.

As Colorado’s primary, and essential, safety-net health care system, Denver Health is a mission-driven organization that has provided millions in uncompensated care for the uninsured each year.

Located near downtown Denver, Denver Health is just minutes away from many of the cultural and recreational activities Denver has to offer.

Denver Health is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We value the unique ideas, talents and contributions reflective of the needs of our community. All job applicants for safety-sensitive positions must pass a pre-employment drug test, once a conditional offer of employment has been made. Applicants will be considered until the position is filled.