Executive Director

Executive Director (Full-Time, Denver metro based)

The Colorado BioScience Institute (The Institute) is a 501(c)3 organization cultivating and diversifying the state’s life sciences workforce, from classroom, to campus, to career. The Institute does this by: sparking an interest in STEM for K-12 students and teachers from diverse backgrounds; connecting higher education students and instructors with people and opportunities in our community; and advancing professional careers in life sciences, from early career to executive education.

Position Summary

The Executive Director is the senior leader responsible for advancing the mission, sustainability, and growth of the Colorado BioScience Institute. This role is well-suited for a high-performing leader ready to step into an Executive Director position with ownership of strategy and fundraising, with the support of an experienced President & CEO.  Reporting to and operating in close partnership with the President & CEO of the Colorado BioScience Association (and President of the Institute), the Executive Director provides organizational leadership, owning strategy and execution for the Institute while aligning with broader organizational priorities, fundraising strategy, and external engagement. 

This role owns and is accountable for the Institute’s fundraising strategy and results, while overseeing partnerships, programs, and operations to ensure strong organizational performance and impact. The Executive Director serves as the primary external representative of the Institute and in collaboration with the President & CEO and Board of Directors to drive strategic direction, fundraising success, and organizational effectiveness. The President & CEO serves as a strategic partner, thought leader, and connector across the broader ecosystem, while the Executive Director leads day-to-day strategy, fundraising and execution for the Institute.

The Institute currently operates an annual budget of approximately $345,000 and is pursuing a measured, sustainable growth trajectory of approximately 15-20%/year, with the goal of reaching a $500,000+ annual operating budget over time.

This is a highly external-facing role requiring a leader who is comfortable directly cultivating relationships and asking for support to secure and grow funding from foundations, corporations, government and philanthropic institutions.

The Executive Director must also be able to translate workforce and industry needs into compelling, fundable strategies and programs, aligning employer demand, education pathways, and career outcomes. The Executive Director is responsible for setting and evolving the Institute’s strategy, including identifying priorities, growth opportunities, and funding pathways.

The organization operates with a lean team, currently including one direct report (Program Manager), offering the opportunity to build and shape a growing organization with significant autonomy and impact. This role requires a leader who is both strategic and hands-on.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Fundraising & Revenue Development (40%)

·       Own and execute the Institute’s comprehensive fundraising strategy with responsibility for achieving annual revenue goals, including personally leading cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of institutional and corporate donors across grants, sponsorships, and programs/events.

·       Oversee grant strategy including research, writing, submission, reporting, and stewardship.

·       Develop high-quality grant proposals and materials, either directly or through oversight of external grant writers, ensuring alignment with strategy and funder priorities.

·       Translate workforce and industry needs into compelling cases for support that resonate with funders, employers, and partners.

·       Track and regularly report fundraising progress to the President and board while maintaining accurate records using the organization’s CRM and reporting tools.

Partnerships & External Relations (25%)

·       Serve as the primary external ambassador for the Institute.

·       Develop and maintain partnerships across life sciences industry, higher education, K–12 education, workforce development, government, and community-based organizations.

·       Align and coordinate with the Colorado BioScience Association team on shared partners an initiatives.

·       Represent the Institute at meetings, events, and convenings statewide.

·       Support marketing and communications efforts to increase visibility, engagement, and program participation. 

Program Leadership (20%)

·       Provide strategic oversight of all Institute programs to ensure alignment with mission, funding requirements, and long-term sustainability.

·       Ensure programs are aligned with strategic priorities, funding requirements, and organizational goals (with day-to-day execution led by Program Manager).

·       Supervise the Program Manager and contract facilitators or vendors; providing coaching and performance management.

·       Ensure programs are informed by employer demand, industry trends, and workforce data, and are positioned to attract sustainable funding.

·       Oversee evaluation of program performance and outcomes and identify opportunities to enhance or expand programs in collaboration with leadership and partners.

·       Lead strategic initiatives to assess community and industry workforce needs and inform the development of new programs, including an industry talent collaborative and an NSF-funded initiative for a new Quality Assurance / Regulatory Affairs (QA/RA) program.

Operations & Financial Management (10%)

·       Lead the development and oversight of the Institute’s annual operating budget in partnership with the President and Board.

·       Collaborate with contract accountant to manage financial forecasting, cash flow, and expense tracking; identify risks and implement corrective actions.

·       Partner with contract accountant to ensure accurate financial reporting and compliance.

·       Strengthen systems, processes, and controls to support organizational growth.

·       Oversee vendor relationships, contracts, and operational logistics.

Board Engagement & Organizational Support (5%)

·       Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Institute’s Board of Directors.

·       Present organizational updates, financial performance, and strategic recommendations directly to the Board.

·       Engage directly with Board members through meetings and ad hoc strategic discussions, building strong working relationships and trust to support governance best practices.

·       Collaborate with the President & CEO and Board leadership on organizational planning, and long-term strategic initiatives.

Because this posting has character limitations, please read the full description and ideal candidate description at  https://careers.cobioscience.com/jobs/?q=executive+director&l=

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.