ASCEND Project Manager / Navigator

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus 

Department: School of Medicine, Office of the Dean

Job Title: ASCEND Project Manager / Navigator

Position #:00845460 – Requisition #:39075

Job Summary:

The School of Medicine Office of Research, within the Office of the Dean, is seeking a highly skilled Project Manager / Navigator to lead the planning, coordination, and execution of projects within the newly formed Accelerating Solutions for Cell and Gene Therapy Evaluation and Novel Delivery (ASCEND) Program. This role serves as both a project manager and a program navigator, functioning as the central operational and coordination hub for ASCEND activities and fulfilling data and reporting requirements. The nature of this work is exciting, fast moving, detail- and customer service-oriented, and involves independent management of large, complex projects with adaptability and confidence.

The position supports the launch, implementation, and continuous improvement of a centralized infrastructure for complex, cutting edge cell and gene therapy trials within CU Anschutz and UCHealth. The Project Manager / Navigator will work closely with ASCEND leadership, multiple subcommittees, study investigators, operational partners, and institutional service units to ensure efficient intake, alignment with governance and finance structures, and timely project execution across the research lifecycle. It may also provide support to implementation of long-term follow-up activities for gene and cell therapy clinical trials.

Key Responsibilities:

• Program and Project Management (30%)
  • Lead end‑to‑end project management for ASCEND initiatives, including collaborating with others to develop and update project plans, timelines, and deliverables, and tracking and reporting on progress.
  • Monitor progress and proactively identify barriers, risks, and mitigation strategies for multiple concurrent projects.
• Program Navigation and Intake Coordination (30%)
  • Serve as the primary navigator and point of contact for ASCEND inquiries, coordinating intake, triage, and routing to appropriate institutional partners.
  • Guide investigators and study teams through ASCEND processes, requirements, and service offerings with a high level of customer service and responsiveness.
  • Ensure appropriate handoffs between ASCEND and collaborating programs, clinical operations, and research support units.
• Cross-Functional Engagement and Administrative Support (20%)
  • Act as a central coordination hub across departments, centers, hospitals, and external partners involved in ASCEND‑supported activity.
  • Facilitate collaboration among diverse stakeholder groups, ensuring alignment, communication, and accountability.
  • Support ASCEND governance and subcommittees by providing administrative support, including scheduling, preparing agendas, presentations, meeting materials, taking notes, tracking action items, and following up on decisions.
• Operations, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement (10%)
  • Support development, documentation, and refinement of ASCEND workflows, standard operating procedures, templates, and operational models.
  • Prepare and maintain operational reports, program databas