Senior Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs

Job Summary:

The University of Colorado School of Medicine (SOM) seeks an accomplished physician leader to serve as Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs (SADCA) and Chief Medical Officer of CU Medicine. This is a premier executive leadership role responsible for shaping the clinical strategy, quality, access, growth, and integration of the School of Medicine’s extensive clinical enterprise.

The SADCA serves as the senior physician executive responsible for aligning the SOM’s academic mission with high-value, patient-centered, financially sustainable clinical care across all SOM clinical platforms. This leader works in close partnership with SOM department chairs, CU Medicine leadership, University of Colorado Hospital Authority (UCHA), Children’s Hospital Colorado (CHCO), and key regional affiliates to advance excellence in patient care, education, and research.

Key Responsibilities:

Clinical Strategy, Growth & Market Positioning

·         Lead the development and execution of a unified, multi-year clinical enterprise strategy aligned with the SOM strategic plan

·         Identify and advance opportunities for:

o   Programmatic growth

o   New market development

o   Service line expansion

·         Oversee strategic growth of clinical programs beyond the University of Colorado Hospital campus

·         Guide integration of acquired practices and new clinical partnerships

Quality, Safety & Regulatory Oversight

·         Serve as the senior physician executive accountable for patient safety and clinical quality

• Oversee:
  • Clinical compliance with state and federal regulations
  • CU Medicine Board policies
  • Peer review and credentialing processes
• Partner with legal, compliance, and risk leadership on sentinel events and performance improvement

Data, Performance & Outcomes Management

·         Establish a culture of transparent, actionable performance reporting

• Oversee:
  • Productivity metrics
  • Ambulatory operations
  • Benchmarking and institutional outcomes
• Monitor referral patterns and guide access optimization strategies
• Align performance management with quality, growth, and sustainability goals

Faculty Practice & Clinical Operations

·         Provide executive oversight of:

• Faculty practice management
• Access and capacity planning
• Clinic operations and patient experience
• Align physician compensation models with quality, access, growth, and academic priorities

Education, Training & Learner Integration

·         Ensure seamless integration of medical students, residents, and fellows into clinical operations

·         Guarantee that clinical growth strategies enhance—rather than compromise—the educational mission

Affiliate, Health System & External Relations

·         Serve as the senior physician liaison to:

o   UCHA

o   Children’s Hospital Colorado

o   Denver Health

o   VA Medical Center

o   National Jewish Health

·         Mediate interdepartmental and intersystem clinical service issues

·         Serve as physician ambassador to payers, community partners, and affiliated systems

Innovation & Digital Health

·         Lead adoption of:

o   Telemedicine

o   Digital health platforms

o   AI-enabled clinical workflows

o   Remote monitoring and access optimization tools

·         Support pilot programs and scale successful innovations system-wide

Committee Service & Executive Participation

The Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs serves on:

• Senior Associate Deans Council
• CU Medicine Board of Directors (ex officio, non-voting)
• CU Medicine Executive Committee (ex officio, non-voting)
• School of Medicine Executive Committee
• Clinical Chairs Council
• CU/UCHA Quality Committee
• Board of Directors of the Self-Insurance Trust (as applicable)

Regular meetings include:

• Executive Vice Dean
• CU Medicine Executive Director and senior staff
• UCHA and CHCO executive leadership
• SOM department chairs and associate deans
• Affiliate health system leaders

Work Location:

Onsite – this role is expected to work onsite and is located in Aurora, CO.

Why Join Us:

The University of Colorado Anschutz is a world-class academic medical campus leading transformative advances in science, medicine, education and patient care. The campus includes the University of Colorado’s health professional schools, more than 60 centers and institutes, and two nationally ranked independent hospitals - UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital and Children's Hospital Colorado - which see nearly three million adult and pediatric patient visits each year. Innovative, interconnected and highly collaborative, CU Anschutz delivers life-changing treatments, exceptional patient care and top-tier professional training.

The campus conducts world-renowned research supported by $910 million in funding, including $757 million in sponsored awards and $153 million in philanthropic gifts for research. The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is a public education, clinical and research facility serving 4,500 students, and a world-class medical destination at the forefront of life-changing science, medicine, and healthcare. CU Anschutz offers more than 40 highly rated degree programs through 6 schools and colleges. We are the single largest health professions education provider in Colorado, awarding nearly 1,450 degrees annually. Powered by our award-winning faculty, renowned researchers and a reputation for academic excellence, the CU Anschutz Medical Campus drives innovation from the classroom to the laboratory to the delivery of unparalleled patient care. Read CU Anschutz Quick Facts here.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

• MD or DO degree with active board certification
• Active clinical practice in specialty
• Academic appointment at the Associate Professor or Professor level
• Minimum of 10 years of senior medical leadership experience
• Experience leading complex, multi-site, multi-specialty clinical enterprises

Preferred Qualifications:

• Deep expertise in:
  • Faculty practice models and physician compensation
  • Healthcare finance and market dynamics
  • Value-based care and payer strategy
• Record of academic achievement in clinical program development

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

·         Demonstrated success as a champion of:

• Patient safety
• High-quality, equitable care
• Operational excellence
• Clinical growth and access
• Proven ability as a:
  • Strategic negotiator
  • Enterprise communicator
  • Change leader
• Strong emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and ability to lead through influence
• Commitment to excellence in education and research

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1.    A letter of interest including

1. Summary of qualifications
2. Leadership vision for the SOM clinical enterprise
3. Key programmatic priorities

2.    Curriculum vitae / Resume

3.    Five professional references including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address

Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers.

Questions should be directed to: Makeedra Hayes at Makeedra.Hayes@cuanschutz.edu

Screening of Applications Begins:

Immediately and continues until position is filled. For best consideration, apply by April 6, 2026.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as HIRING RANGE: $175,000

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position is not eligible for overtime compensation unless it is non-exempt.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Colorado (CU) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@ucdenver.edu​.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.