Summary
Description
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.
Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate has experience owning revenue goals and directly securing funding through grants, sponsorships, and programs/events and is comfortable serving as the primary fundraiser for a small organization in a lean, entrepreneurial environment.
This individual brings the ability to balance strategy and execution—equally comfortable building relationships externally while providing strategic oversight to an independent direct report delivering high-quality programs.
They bring enough domain knowledge in workforce development, education, or industry talent needs to credibly shape strategy and engage partners.
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.
Minimum Qualifications
- 5+ years of progressive nonprofit leadership experience, including fundraising, partnership, and/or operational leadership; workforce development, education, life sciences, or related field.
- Demonstrated experience securing funding through grants and/or corporate sponsorships, with increasing ownership of fundraising strategy and results, including the ability to develop compelling proposals and either directly write or effectively manage grant development processes.
- Experience serving as a primary or lead fundraiser for an organization, program or portfolio.
- Experience working within or alongside workforce development, education, or talent pipeline initiatives, with the ability to translate industry and community needs into program strategy and funding opportunities.
- Experience managing organizational budgets and financial reporting.
- Strong relationship-building across corporate, education, government, and community sectors.
- Excellent written and verbal communication; confident public speaker.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to executive effectively in a lean, growing organization.
- Experience managing staff, contractors, or cross-functional teams; collaborative leader.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, CRM (e.g., Salesforce), and fundraising/program tools.
The Executive Director will have the opportunity to partner closely with the President & CEO, gaining exposure to broader ecosystem leadership, strategic relationships, and organizational growth. This role offers the opportunity to grow in scope and leadership alongside the organization’s continued expansion.
Preferred Qualification
- Master’s degree in bioscience, workforce development, education, leadership or other related field.
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary: Salary range is $90,000 to $95,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
- Performance Incentive: Eligible for annual performance-based bonus compensation tied to organizational and individual goals, subject to Board approval.
- Benefits: Competitive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with employer matching contributions, disability insurance, monthly public transit or parking reimbursement, cell phone reimbursement, 12 days vacation time, 8 hours/month sick time, and 12 paid holidays per year
Work Environment
This is a full-time position, which operates on a hybrid work schedule, combining remote work with in-office presence as needed to effectively support the core functions of the role, including collaboration, meetings, programs, events, and partner engagement. At a minimum, the Director is expected to work in the office alongside the team on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Additional in-office time may be required. The candidate must live in the Denver metro area or be willing to travel to and attend all in-person meetings/trainings/programs/events. This position requires public speaking and some travel along the Front Range. This position requires minimal evening work hours for events.
Non-Discrimination
The Colorado BioScience Institute firmly supports the principle and philosophy of equal opportunity for all individuals, regardless of age, race, gender, creed, national origin, physical or mental handicap, persons with disabilities and all veterans and any other protected category pursuant to applicable federal, state, or local law. The Colorado BioScience Institute strives to promote a culture of inclusiveness, respect, communication, and understanding.
To Apply:
Please apply via email to jobs@cobioscience.com.
With your application, please submit your resume and responses to the following:
1. Leadership & Scope
What types of organizations or programs have you worked in (e.g., workforce development, education, life sciences), and what areas have you directly led? Please describe your level of ownership (e.g., strategy, fundraising, operations, team leadership).
2. Fundraising Ownership & Results
What is the largest amount of funding you have been responsible for securing in a 12-month period? Please describe:
- the types of funding (grants, corporate sponsorships, individual giving, etc.)
- your specific role (what you owned vs. supported)
- how you contributed to achieving those results
3. Grant Strategy & Execution
Describe your experience with grants, including your role in developing proposals. Have you written grants directly, managed external grant writers, or both? How do you ensure proposals are compelling and aligned with funder priorities?
4. Strategy & Workforce Alignment
Provide an example of how you identified a need (e.g., workforce, education, or industry) and helped translate that into a program, initiative, or funding opportunity. What was your role in shaping the strategy?
5. Financial & Organizational Management
What size budgets have you managed, and how have you used financial data (e.g., budgets, forecasts, reports) to inform decisions or adjust strategy?
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
