1

Director Academic Innovation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

To provide strategic leadership leadership, academic innovation, healthcare innovation, programming ... Work with training grant directors (particularly pre-doctoral T32 leadership) to develop team ...

... Polaris, academic programs, major projects, partnerships, fundraising, and future labs and ... The Director of Innovation should be able to move comfortably between long-range planning ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Director Academic Innovation information

See salary details

$34.5K

$86.1K

$142K

How much do director academic innovation jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for director academic innovation in the United States is $86,087.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $63,000.00 and $102,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of academic innovation do?

A Director of Academic Innovation leads efforts to improve and modernize educational programs within an institution. They identify emerging trends, integrate new technologies, and develop strategies to enhance teaching, learning, and student engagement. This role often involves collaborating with faculty, administrators, and external partners to implement creative solutions that support academic excellence and institutional goals. The Director also assesses the impact of innovation initiatives and ensures alignment with the organization’s mission and educational standards.

How does a director of academic innovation typically collaborate with faculty and administrative staff to implement new educational initiatives?

A Director of Academic Innovation works closely with faculty, department heads, and administrative teams to identify opportunities for curricular improvement and to pilot new teaching technologies or instructional models. This collaboration often involves organizing workshops, gathering feedback on proposed changes, and supporting faculty through the adoption process. The director also coordinates with IT and assessment teams to ensure new initiatives are feasible and impactful, fostering a culture of open communication and continuous improvement across the institution.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of academic innovation, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Academic Innovation, you need expertise in curriculum development, educational technology, and a background in higher education leadership, often supported by an advanced degree. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), instructional design tools, and data analytics platforms is typically required. Strong leadership, creative problem-solving, and effective communication skills help drive change and foster collaboration among faculty and stakeholders. These skills are essential for successfully implementing innovative practices that enhance student learning and institutional outcomes.

What is the difference between Director Academic Innovation vs Academic Program Manager?

AspectDirector Academic InnovationAcademic Program Manager
CredentialsMaster's or Doctorate in Education, Instructional Design, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Education, Administration, or related fields
Work EnvironmentStrategic leadership in academic settings, focusing on innovation initiativesOperational management of academic programs, overseeing daily activities
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, colleges, educational technology companiesEducational institutions, program development offices
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding strategic roles in academic innovationManaging academic programs and initiatives

The Director Academic Innovation typically focuses on leading strategic initiatives to enhance teaching and learning through innovative methods, often requiring advanced degrees and strategic skills. In contrast, the Academic Program Manager handles the day-to-day management of academic programs, ensuring their smooth operation. Both roles are vital in educational settings but differ mainly in scope, responsibilities, and focus areas.

More about Director Academic Innovation jobs

What cities are hiring for Director Academic Innovation jobs?

Cities with the most Director Academic Innovation job openings:

What states have the most Director Academic Innovation jobs?

States with the most job openings for Director Academic Innovation jobs include:

Infographic showing various Director Academic Innovation job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,087 per year, or $41.4 per hour.

INNOVATION & ACADEMIC PROGRAMS DIRECTOR

Tampa, FL • On-site


University of Alabama at Birmingham
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 10K+ employees

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 44 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

262nd of 627 rated colleges and universities

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by students


$67 - $109/hr

Other

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Job Description - INNOVATION & ACADEMIC PROGRAMS DIRECTOR (T236558)

INNOVATION & ACADEMIC PROGRAMS DIRECTOR - ( T236558 )

Description

To provide strategic leadership leadership, academic innovation, healthcare innovation, programming, and commercialization efforts with the Heersink Institute for Biomedical Innovation (MHIBI) within the Heersink School of Medicine (HSOM). To support curriculum growth, oversee student product development and venture activities, build partnerships with industry and clinical leaders, and establish governance for ethical and responsible innovation. To promote Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) Training Academy efforts by developing programs for students, trainees, and emerging leaders by integrating team science principles into existing educational programs. To develop training opportunities that strengthen collaborative research, interdisciplinary engagement, and leadership development.

This position will provide leadership for academic innovation, healthcare innovation programming, and commercialization efforts within the Institute. The role will support curriculum growth, oversee student product development and venture activities, build partnerships with industry and clinical leaders, and help establish governance for ethical and responsible innovation. Additionally, the position will support CCTS Training Academy efforts by developing and integrating team science curriculum into training programs for students, trainees, and emerging research leaders.

Duties and Responsibilities
  • Academic Program Leadership: Provide strategic leadership for academic programming within the Institute, with particular emphasis on the Healthcare Innovation (HCI) track. Support HCI curriculum coherence and growth. Help oversee Practicum II experiences, ensuring projects align with real-world innovation, commercialization, and clinical impact.
  • Innovation Product Development Ecosystem: Lead development of the Institute for Biomedical Innovation Founders Club Establish and manage a structured process for student product development, from ideation through validation and early commercialization. Oversee growth and quality of student-led products and ventures, ensuring alignment with responsible AI and institutional standards.
  • Commercialization Advisory Engagement: Develop and convene an Advisory Board for Commercialization, engaging industry, clinical, and entrepreneurial leaders to support student and faculty ventures. Collaborate with internal and external partners to support venture acceleration, mentorship, and commercialization pathways. Work closely with faculty, leadership, and innovation partners (including related teams) to support scale-up initiatives.
  • Thought Leadership Brand Development: Build and advance the Institute's brand around AI-enabled innovation and commercialization. Lead development of white papers, frameworks, and applied resources showcasing the Institute's thought leadership and student/faculty work. Curate and disseminate innovation resources to students, faculty, and external partners.
  • Governance, Oversight Collaboration: Establish governance and oversight mechanisms for student-generated products, ensuring ethical, regulatory, and institutional compliance. Collaborate with Institute leadership on long‑term academic strategy, program evaluation, and continuous improvement. Serve as a visible leader and ambassador for the Institute's academic innovation mission.
  • CCTS Training Academy Team Science Lead: Work with established Training Academy programs to weave team science curriculum into current offerings (CTSTP, TIERS, etc.). Develop team science training modules for new and rising leadership programs in CCTS including the Collaborative Research and Effective Teamwork Essentials (CREATE) program and the Clinical Trialist Development Program (CTDP). Work with training grant directors (particularly pre‑doctoral T32 leadership) to develop team science workshops for trainees to expand their knowledge base of team science principles.
  • Perform other duties as assigned

Salary Range: $67,070 - $108,990

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a related field and ten (10) years of related experience required. Work experience may NOT substitute for education requirement.

UAB is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, age, disability, and veteran's status. As required by Title IX, UAB prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to UAB's Assistant Vice President and Senior Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX notice of nondiscrimination is located at uab.edu/titleix.

Primary Location

University

Job Category

Professional & Managerial

Organization

310000000 School of Medicine Dean's Office

Employee Status

Regular

Shift : Day/1st Shift

Work Arrangement (final schedule to be determined by the department/hiring manager) : Hybrid Eligible

#J-18808-Ljbffr

University of Alabama at Birmingham logo

About University of Alabama at Birmingham

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The University of Alabama at Birmingham is the heartbeat of Birmingham and an integral medical leader in the Southeast. The Birmingham campus is within walking distance of some of the best parks, entertainment, and dining in the region. UAB's three regional campuses expand their academic reach and responsibilities in addition to educating physicians in rural and underserved areas of the state. UAB is experiencing major and sustained investment and growth, due both to its exceptional research faculty and its culture of collaboration. Through concerted and strategic investments in its clinical and research enterprise, UAB has undergone an amazing transformation in the past five years and has strengthened its status and reputation as a leader in medical training, biomedical discovery, innovation, and patient care.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Birmingham, AL, US

Year founded

1859


What University Of Alabama At Birmingham employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom