Sr. Advisor, Translational Innovation

Scope of Position

The Sr. Advisor Translational Innovation serves as a key consultant to the James CEO, COO, and Executive team and an enabler for faculty and staff at the James to translate work and research into innovative solutions that impact the mission and vision of the OSU Cancer Program (Comprehensive Cancer Center and The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute). This includes (The James) the third largest cancer hospital in the country which is, 1.1-million-square-foot, 21 levels, and 356+ beds, and the OSUCCC that consists of over 300 faculty members and promotes translational research across all colleges within OSU to which OSUCCC members belong.

The Translational Innovation Center serves as the strategic hub connecting emerging technologies with safe, compliant, and measurable implementation in cancer care and research. The department leads organizational planning, analytics, and operational support to accelerate innovation through structured governance, feasibility assessment, and pilot execution. It fosters partnerships across academic, clinical, and corporate sectors to advance translational discovery and commercialization, with a focus on technologies and collaborative solutions. Through strategic planning, business operations, and corporate engagement, the Center enhances institutional growth, efficiency, and impact.

Position Summary

The Sr. Advisor Translational Innovation will help support a newly established Innovation Center designed to accelerate the translation of emerging technologies and entrepreneurial effortssuch as artificial intelligenceinto safe, compliant, and measurable improvements in cancer care and research.

Serving as the bridge between discovery and implementation, the Sr. Advisor will provide valuable business development counsel and foster partnership engagement necessary to operationalize innovation. This position works to ensure the Innovation Center supports the mission, vision, and growth of the Cancer Program.

The Sr. Advisor will lead a multi-stakeholder effort encompassing governance, intake, feasibility assessment, pilot testing, and handoffs to commercialization or IRB-backed studies. Approvals remain with responsible offices (IRB/HRPP, Privacy/HIPAA, Security/CISO, Legal/Tech Transfer, Accessibility), while the Center coordinates, de-risks, and accelerates outcomes and enables ideas to become solutions.

Minimum Qualifications

For Hire: Bachelors degree or equivalent experience with 8 years experience. Documentation of progressive leadership in technology, innovation, strategic planning, corporate growth, entrepreneurship, translational research, or related areas. Knowledge of issues facing cancer patients and effective cancer care and research is required, and experience with disruptive innovation and startup models preferred. Demonstrated success leading cross-functional initiatives in complex professional environments. Expertise in strategic analysis, business planning, technology assessment, and partnership development. Exceptional skills in project management, communication, and stakeholder engagement.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience establishing a new business unit, foundation, company, translational research program, or technology commercialization initiative. Strong knowledge of regulatory and compliance processes (IRB, HIPAA, data privacy, intellectual property). Proven record of leading multi-disciplinary teams and managing complex stakeholder relationships. Understanding of emerging technology trends in healthcare, research, and digital innovation.

Career Roadmap:

Function: Business Planning and Operations

Sub function: Strategic Planning

Career Band: Individual Contributor - Specialized

Career Level: S6