Director for Arts & Humanities in Health Care Program (Open Rank-Instructor, Sr. Instructor, Assistant, Associate, Professor)

Job Summary:

The University of Colorado Center for Bioethics and Humanities (CBH) on the Anschutz Medical Campus is seeking qualified candidates for a 0.5 FTE faculty person to serve as Director of the Arts and Humanities in Health Care Program.

About the Program
Since 2009, the CBH Arts and Humanities in Health Care Program has served as a national model for advancing health humanities education, scholarship, and engagement. Through partnerships across the Anschutz Medical Campus, the University of Colorado, and the broader community, the program supports a wide range of established arts and humanities initiatives. We seek a visionary leader to enhance and expand these efforts while shaping the program's next chapter.

About the Position

The ideal candidate will be a visionary and collaborative leader with a demonstrated record of excellence in health humanities, program growth, and team leadership. The successful candidate will bring expertise in one or more health humanities disciplines, including narrative medicine, media and health, arts and health, or dramatic arts and medical improv.

The Director will provide strategic leadership for a diverse portfolio of arts and humanities initiatives, including the Fulginiti Pavilion Art Gallery, the Music and Medicine Initiative, publications, lectureships, and other endowed and gift-funded programs. With access to CBH resources to support and grow these efforts, the Director will advance interdisciplinary collaboration across the University of Colorado's health professions schools and the Anschutz Medical Campus.

The Arts and Humanities in Health Care Program advances CBH's education, research, and clinical missions through the transformative application of the arts and humanities in health professions education and practice. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to fostering the growth and professional identity formation of health professions learners through disciplines such as music, literature, history, visual arts, poetry, and reflective writing. Experience with arts-based clinical or therapeutic interventions, funded research, fundraising, and program development is highly desirable. The successful candidate will be a collaborative leader with a proven ability to build and lead cross-disciplinary teams, serve as a prominent advocate for the arts and humanities in health and well-being, and expand opportunities for students, health professionals, patients, and communities to engage with critical healthcare and societal issues through creative and humanistic approaches.

The candidate must be willing to relocate to the Denver area within 3 months of the start date. This position is hybrid eligible. Please note: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship. We are unable to provide work visa sponsorship or employment authorization for this position now or in the future.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop a strategic trajectory to guide the programming within the Arts & Humanities mission of the Center, including evaluating current initiatives

• Coordinate leadership and implementation strategies for Arts & Humanities programming and initiatives

• Regularly evaluate the success and effectiveness of Arts & Humanities programming

• Cultivate partnerships on and off campus to enhance programmatic offerings

• Maintain strategic oversight of the Arts & Humanities program

• Produce high quality scholarship in Arts & Humanities

Work Location:

Hybrid – this role is eligible for a hybrid schedule of 3 days per week on campus and as needed for in-person meetings.

Why Join Us:

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10%25 of your gross pay
• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year (based on percentage of time)
• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
• Holiday Days: 11/year
• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

This is an open rank position and could be categorized as Instructor, Senior Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor or Professor based on experience and qualifications as indicated below:

Instructor:

• Doctoral degree (PhD, JD, MD, or equivalent terminal degree) or Master's degree with significant professional experience in bioethics, philosophy, health humanities, healthcare ethics, creative arts, social work, psychology, medicine, nursing, public health, anthropology, literature, theology, law, communication studies, or closely related field

• 3 years of leadership experience in an academic environment

• Proven record of quality scholarship and significant contributions to a health humanities discipline such as narrative theory and practice in health care; media and health; exploration of connections between music, writing, and/or visual arts and health; or dramatic arts and medical improv.

• Experience in building and leading cross-disciplinary teams to success in complex environments.

Sr. Instructor:

• Doctoral degree (PhD, JD, MD, or equivalent terminal degree) or Master's degree with significant professional experience in bioethics, philosophy, health humanities, healthcare ethics, creative arts, social work, psychology, medicine, nursing, public health, anthropology, literature, theology, law, communication studies, or closely related field

• 7 years leadership experience in an academic environment

• Proven record of quality scholarship and significant contributions to a health humanities discipline such as narrative theory and practice in health care; media and health; exploration of connections between music, writing, and/or visual arts and health; or dramatic arts and medical improv.

• Experience in building and leading cross-disciplinary teams to success in complex environments.

Assistant Professor:

• Doctoral degree (PhD, JD, MD, or equivalent terminal degree) or Master's degree with significant professional experience in bioethics, philosophy, health humanities, healthcare ethics, creative arts, social work, psychology, medicine, nursing, public health, anthropology, literature, theology, law, communication studies, or closely related field

• 3 years of leadership experience in an academic medical center environment

• Proven record of quality scholarship and significant contributions to a health humanities discipline such as narrative theory and practice in health care; media and health; exploration of connections between music, writing, and/or visual arts and health; or dramatic arts and medical improv.

• Experience in building and leading cross-disciplinary teams to success in complex environments.

Associate Professor:

• Doctoral degree (PhD, JD, MD, or equivalent terminal degree) or Master's degree with significant professional experience in bioethics, philosophy, health humanities, healthcare ethics, creative arts, social work, psychology, medicine, nursing, public health, anthropology, literature, theology, law, communication studies, or closely related field

• 7 years of leadership experience in an academic medical center environment

• Rank of Associate Professor, or equivalent, already attained at a prior academic institution

• Proven record of quality scholarship and significant contributions to a health humanities discipline such as narrative theory and practice in health care; media and health; exploration of connections between music, writing, and/or visual arts and health; or dramatic arts and medical improv.

• Experience in building and leading cross-disciplinary teams to success in complex environments.

Professor:

• Doctoral degree (PhD, JD, MD, or equivalent terminal degree) or Master's degree with significant professional experience in bioethics, philosophy, health humanities, healthcare ethics, creative arts, social work, psychology, medicine, nursing, public health, anthropology, literature, theology, law, communication studies, or closely related field

• 14 years of leadership experience in an academic medical center environment

• Rank of Professor, or equivalent, already attained at a prior academic institution

• Proven record of quality scholarship and significant contributions to a health humanities discipline such as narrative theory and practice in health care; media and health; exploration of connections between music, writing, and/or visual arts and health; or dramatic arts and medical improv.

• Experience in building and leading cross-disciplinary teams to success in complex environments.

*School of Medicine faculty appointed to the level of Associate Professor or Professor are subject to review and approval of the School of Medicine Faculty Promotions Committee and the Executive Committee.  The term "visiting" will be used in the faculty member's title (e.g., "Visiting Associate Professor" and "Visiting Professor") until the dossier has been approved by these committees.

Rank at the time of appointment will be based on the candidate’s demonstrated contributions and experience in teaching, clinical, research, and/or service to the field. We welcome applicants with a range of backgrounds and accomplishments and encourage individuals to highlight the breadth and depth of their professional impact. Learn more about faculty tracks at the Office for Faculty Affairs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience coordinating multiple programs under one strategic direction

• Experience and a track record of notable innovation in health humanities.

• Experience in clinical, educational, or other research related to arts and humanities in health care.

• Experience in fundraising for arts and humanities programming and experience obtaining research or educational funding for arts and humanities initiatives

• Experience in mentoring students and faculty in graduate and professional degree programs.

• Experience in clinical/therapeutic use of the arts in health care settings

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.

• Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills with faculty, staff, and community partners.

• Effective leadership of diverse, cross-functional teams.

• Adaptability and sound judgment in navigating ambiguity and organizational change.

• Skilled in coordinating complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives across functional areas to achieve strategic objectives.

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1.     A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position

2.     Curriculum vitae / Resume

3.     Five professional references including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address

Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers.

Questions should be directed to: Danielle Chaet, [email protected]

Screening of Applications Begins:

Immediately and continues until position is filled. For best consideration, apply by August 22, 2026. Although the start date for this role is flexible, a start date in Fall 2026 is preferable.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) at .50 FTE for this position has been established as HIRING RANGE:

Instructor: $48,500 to $75,000 

Sr. Instructor: $75,000 to $100,000

Assistant Professor: $48,500 to $75,000

Associate Professor: $75,000 to $100,000

Professor: $100,000 to $125,000

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position is not eligible for overtime compensation unless it is non-exempt.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Colorado (CU) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at [email protected] .

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.