Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives

Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives

Jobs UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER

Jobs UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER

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Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives

Requisition Number:

72262

Location:

Boulder, Colorado

City

Boulder

State

Colorado

Employment Type:

University Staff

Schedule:

Full-Time

Posting Close Date:

07-Jun-2026

Date Posted:

26-May-2026

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Job Summary

Job Summary

The Office of Strategic Initiatives at CU Boulder invites applications for an Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives! This role provides project management, organizational effectiveness, and continuous improvement support for complex, cross-functional initiatives. Situated within the Office of Strategic Initiatives (OSI) in the Office of the Chancellor, this role supports the successful execution of university-wide priorities by advancing project delivery, data-informed decision-making, and inclusive organizational change practices.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives, the associate director partners closely with university leaders, initiative sponsors, and campus constituents to design, implement, and sustain campus initiatives. The position plays a critical role in facilitating the completion and delivery function, ensuring projects are well-scoped, well-managed, and aligned with institutional goals. The position will also be expected to help embed a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence across the university.

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.

Who We Are

Who We Are

The Office of Strategic Initiatives serves as a central resource for the execution of high-priority, Chancellor-sponsored university-wide initiatives. OSI supports campus leadership through strategic analysis, project and portfolio management, resource coordination, and intentional organizational change. The office focuses on building long-term institutional capacity and strengthening how the university plans, implements, and sustains strategic work.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Project Management

• Support the implementation of strategic projects as prioritized by executive leadership and the senior director of strategic initiatives.
• Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, milestones, dependencies, and results using approved project management and tracking software.
• Coordinate cross-functional project teams to ensure project objectives and timelines are met.
• Produce regular project status reports that clearly communicate milestones, risks, issues, dependencies, and recommendations for action.
• Proactively identify risks and issues, develop mitigation strategies, and raise concerns as appropriate.
• Ensure projects follow established lifecycle standards, governance expectations, and organizational change practices.

Change Management

• Support the design and execution of organizational change strategies.
• Facilitate inclusive, transparent communication with project sponsors and campus constituencies.
• Convene and facilitate meetings, working sessions, and discussions that promote project progress.
• Assemble lessons learned and feedback related to change effectiveness and engagement, contributing to continuous improvement and practices.

Resource Coordination

• Support portfolio-level planning, coordination, and prioritization across multiple concurrent strategic initiatives by tracking scope, timelines, capacity demands, dependencies, and risk across the OSI portfolio.
• Prepare executive briefings, presentations, and synthesize materials that translate complex initiative information into clear, actionable insights.
• Coordinate cross-unit operational inputs (financial, communications, human resources) necessary for successful initiative delivery, ensuring alignment among project teams throughout the project lifecycle.
• Coordinate with external vendors, consultants, and system partners to support initiative delivery as needed.

Continuous Improvement & Additional Project Support

• Contribute to departmental and institutional efforts to strengthen project management and continuous improvement practices.

What You Should Know

What You Should Know

This position is expected to work in a hybrid format, with a combination of in-person and remote work, based on the operational needs of the office.

What We Can Offer

What We Can Offer

The annual hiring range for this position is $100,000-$125,000. Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates.

Benefits

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder Countys largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be Statements

Be creative. Be impactful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

What We Require

• Bachelors degree from an accredited institution and 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in project management, program management, business analysis, or a related field.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.

What You Will Need

What You Will Need

• Ability to handle complex, cross-functional projects through the full project lifecycle.
• Ability to develop project plans, schedules, budgets, and communications.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.

What We Would Like You to Have

What We Would Like You to Have

• Master's degree in a relevant field.
• Certification in Project Management (PMP), Business Analysis (CBAP), Lean Six Sigma, or related project management certification.
• Experience conducting program review and assessment.
• Experience supporting large-scale initiatives in a complex, decentralized organization such as a research university.
• Experience supporting CRM implementations or large-scale technology-enabled initiatives.
• Experience with organizational development, process improvement, and organizational change methodologies.
• Familiarity with enterprise project management and collaboration tools.

Special Instructions

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

• A current resume.
• A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.

We may request references at a later time.

Please apply by June 7, 2026 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources

Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu

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The University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, pregnancy, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, marital status, political affiliation, or political philosophy. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. Click here for a list of ADA and Title IX coordinators. To view the Regent policy, please click here. This organization participates in E-Verify. We will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each employee's I-9 form to confirm work authorization.

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