Program Director II

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Heersink School of Medicine Innovation Center, is seeking a Program Director II to provide strategic and operational leadership for MHIBI's technology, innovation, and translational initiatives.

The Director oversees the Innovation Clinic and AI Lab; supports development and deployment of AI, immersive technology, robotics, and digital health solutions; helps advance commercialization and entrepreneurship; and connects faculty, clinicians, students, and external partners across UAB's innovation ecosystem.

The position combines technology and product management, hands-on technical leadership, venture development, and partnership development to move innovative concepts from ideation through development, validation, and implementation. The Director reports to the Administrative Director of MHIBI.

General Responsibilities

Directs operations of a programmatic function. Operates with a high degree of independence. Responsible for program development, content and administration. Establishes program objectives, manages programmatic fiscal activities, supervises staff engaged in carrying out program activities and may require grant writing and/or other ability to secure program funding. Prepares various reports for program.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversees Innovation Clinic and AI Lab.

• Performs technology operations.

• Directs day-to-day operations of the Innovation Center and AI Lab, including space, technology assets, computing resources, and user access.

• Oversees acquisition, deployment, maintenance, and responsible use of emerging technologies, including high-performance computing, extended reality, robotics, and other AI-enabled platforms.

• Provides hands-on technical consultation and mentorship to faculty, clinicians, students, and project teams developing AI and digital health solutions.

• Establishes appropriate processes for technology use, safety, asset management, and institutional compliance. Digital Products, AI Emerging Technology Lead development and continuous improvement of MHIBI digital platforms, applications, and technology-enabled resources.

• Translates clinical, educational, and institutional needs into technical requirements, product roadmaps, and deployable solutions.

• Leads or coordinates projects involving AI, immersive/XR technologies, robotics, spatial computing, and other emerging technologies.

• Partners with faculty and Institute leadership to integrate emerging technologies into academic programs, clinical applications, and research.Innovation, Entrepreneurship Commercialization.

• Supports development and commercialization of AI, digital health, and biomedical innovation ventures originating within MHIBI and across UAB.

• Provides innovators with support in product development, validation, pitch preparation, commercialization strategy, and accelerator readiness.

• Supports the Heersink AI Founders Club.

• Builds relationships with accelerators, investors, industry partners, and UAB commercialization resources.

• Performs Research, Education and Ecosystem Development.

• Contributes to translational research, scientific publications, presentations, and extramural grant development in areas aligned with MHIBI's mission.

• Helps develop and lead workshops, demonstrations, and technology showcases for UAB and external audiences.

• Supports MHIBI Grand Rounds, Bits and Bytes, and other programming designed to connect clinicians, researchers, students, technologists, and entrepreneurs.

• Collaborates across UAB schools, departments, centers, the UAB Health System, and innovation and commercialization organizations to facilitate interdisciplinary projects.

• Strategic Partnerships and External Engagement.

• Develops and manages relationships with technology companies, academic institutions, healthcare organizations, professional societies, and other external partners.

• Represents MHIBI at conferences, workshops, partner meetings, and domestic and international engagements.

• Supports strategic collaborations involving technology deployment, education, research, commercialization, and clinical innovation.

• Coordinates with Institute leadership on agreements, technology partnerships, and external initiatives.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Annual Salary Range: $60,835 - $98,855

Bachelor's degree in a related field and five (5) years of related experience required. Work experience may NOT substitute for education requirement.

Preferences

The successful candidate will bring a combination of technical expertise, project leadership, and innovation experience, with demonstrated ability to work across clinical, academic, technical, and entrepreneurial environments.

Desired experience includes:

• Artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, digital health, or related technologies.

• Product or technology project management.

• AI computing infrastructure and/or software development environments.

• Emerging technologies such as robotics, XR/VR, spatial computing, or computer vision.

• Working with interdisciplinary teams of clinicians, researchers, engineers, students, and external partners.

• Strong communication, relationship-building, and organizational skills.

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.