Program Manager, Strategic Partnerships & Emerging Industries

Requisition Number: 72383

Location: Boulder, Colorado

City: Boulder

State: Colorado

Employment Type: University Staff

Schedule: Full-Time

Posting Close Date: 10-Jun-2026

Date Posted: 01-Jun-2026

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Job Summary

Job Summary

The Program Manager for Strategic Partnerships and Emerging Industries is a strategic leader in Career Services at the University of Colorado Boulder. Leading at the intersection of technology, workforce, and the career ecosystem, this role helps establish CU Boulder as a national leader in modern recruitment practices. Part of the Employer Relations team, the manager supports the broader vision of the department while connecting externally to curate insights on hiring, talent development, and in-demand skills, ensuring CU Boulder remains responsive to industry needs. This position works alongside a team focused on expanding and championing the collection of opportunities CU Buffs have to build workplace skills.

Acting as the department's expert on the future of work, the program manager identifies, tracks, and communicates shifts in regional and national labor markets, with a focus on high-growth, innovation-driven sectors such as AI ethics, quantum cybersecurity, influencer marketing, and virtual reality therapy. The role is designed for a strategic analyst and systems thinker who is excited about developing processes and tools in response to what is happening in the world of work. Their work will support the development of partnerships and initiatives to inform our community about emerging industries.

Functioning as a visible leader, this position reports outcomes based on multi-dimensional horizon scanning and workforce emerging trends. In partnership with the employer relations team, this position builds processes and designs responsive programs and talent pipelines and may co-lead employer advisory boards, working groups, and campus networks to curate industry insights and represent CU Boulder externally.

CU Boulder is a large, complex institution that relies heavily on relationships to move initiatives forward; therefore, the ability to garner support, build trust, and communicate effectively is central to this work. This role is an experienced individual contributor who will likely expand their reach and the reach of the department by managing the high-level task of updating and building the infrastructure that informs the hiring ecosystem for campus. They are responsible for designing and partnering through the main career office and with campus partners across the university. Through cross-campus collaboration and industry engagement, this position ensures CU Boulder is prepared to meet the needs of employers using modern hiring and recruitment practices.

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 Division of Student Life consists of 36 departments that provide student support and services dedicated to helping students become successful, curious, competent individuals during their time at CU Boulder.

Career Services

Career Services prepares CU Boulder students and alumni for their current and future goals by facilitating connections and raising student self-awareness to develop skills and communicate career readiness to employers. Our team leads a comprehensive career-focused infrastructure for campus, which includes career planning, programs, resources, access to professional experiences, and is responsible for on-campus student employment. Additionally, the department is an entry point for CU talent recruitment- cultivating employer partnerships and responding to workforce needs.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Strategic Initiatives, Partnerships, Program Design & Implementation

• With a focus on the emergence and impact of AI, support employers in assessing and onboarding AI-literate talent. Inform the Career Services team about the necessity and use of AI fundamentals and applications for their own use and for the preparation of students for the workforce. Translate insights for faculty to create responsive learning outcomes. Co-create and co-lead employer advisory board(s) in collaboration with Associate Director.
• Participate in relevant campus AI and other related working groups.
• Produce actionable insights and trend reports for internal and campus-wide use.
• Analyze national and state labor data to inform responses to the evolving employment landscape.
• Apply technical skills to inform the development of dashboards and quarterly impact reports to demonstrate outcomes.
• Lead the development of central initiatives to share employer insights with students, staff, and faculty.
• Develop creative platforms to connect students (and alumni) with employers (e.g., virtual showcases, find opportunities to establish and promote internship pipelines, etc).
• Collaborate with Career Services staff and campus-wide partners to align student skill development with market needs.

Strategic Employer Engagement & Business Development

• Employ the vision and strategy for outreach and onboarding of employers in innovation-driven sectors to further connection with employer specialists on the larger team.
• Provide oversight and coordination for the campus partner group related to employer relations and career pathways for students.
• Collaborate with external CU Boulder stakeholders and campus-wide partners to represent career services at external events related to workforce and economic development.
• Host and facilitate employer roundtables and listening sessions to understand future workforce needs.
• Collaborate closely with the Associate Director and key staff members on the Skills and Experiences team to curate employer voices, emerging trends, and inform CU Boulder's strategic direction.
• Oversee contracts with employers who support internship programs in Career Services, such as Peace Corps.
• Develop toolkits and resources to support employer recruitment strategies.
• Contribute content for and participate in employer onboarding events and trainings.

Cross-Department Collaboration & Student Supervision

• Share emerging trend updates across the department, division, and campus.
• Ensure strategic alignment between industry insights, employer engagement, and student opportunity.
• Provide ongoing professional development opportunities for staff.
• Hire, train, supervise and coach student intern(s).
• Participate in the departmental student supervisor working group.

Department Meetings and Events

• Attend weekly Career Services all-staff and team meetings.
• Attend and support "All Hands on Deck" events such as (but not limited to) campus career fairs, new student orientation, and on-campus student employment events.
• Attend occasional campus-level and liaison meetings. Support peak times for all staff support in the Division of Student Life

Given the changing nature of work and Career Services' commitment to be adaptable, innovative, and resilient as the nature of work changes, staff will need to shift gears, jump in, and try new things, even when those things fall outside of a formal job description.

What You Should Know

What You Should Know

This is a year-round, 40 hr/wk role with occasional nights. The Division requires 3 days on-campus work and allows up to 2 days remote work M-F.

What We Can Offer

What We Can Offer

The annual salary range is $68,000 - $71,000.

Onboarding assistance is available within the Student Affairs division guidelines.

Our outstanding benefits include:

• Paid days off: 22 vacation days, 15 sick leave days and 11 holidays per year.
• Access to medical, vision, dental and life insurance.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• A 10% employer contribution retirement plan.
• EcoPass for free RTD rides.
• Opportunity for career growth within the Division of Student Life and the CU Boulder campus!

Benefits: The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit, and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder.

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 County's 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 challenged. Be unique. Be Boulder.

What We Require

What We Require

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
• 3+ years of experience in workforce development, strategic partnerships, or equivalent.
• Familiarity with Occupational Outlook Handbook, Onet, Bureau of Labor Statistics reports.

What You Will Need

What You Will Need

• Analytical Mindset: strong analytical skills, systems thinker, innovative, process-minded, problem-solving.
• Innovative and Future focused: ability to set a vision, design process, implement, and build administrative systems for clarity, understanding, and tangible outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to report data using platforms such as Power BI, Tableau, or Canvato inform audiences about emerging technologies (AI, blockchain, IoT, etc.)
• Ability for horizon-scanning, scenario-planning, market intelligence and demonstrated ability to analyze labor market trends, future of work, and emerging technologies.
• Communication and Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills in interacting with diverse audiences, managing teams, and presenting information to executive level audiences.
• Leadership and Collaborative Diplomacy: Success in building trust and garnering support across complex departments (SL divisional leadership, community partners) to move initiatives forward.
• Strategic Communication: Ability to translate complex data and research into accessible tools and briefs for staff and campus partners.

What We Would Like You to Have

What We Would Like You to Have

• Master's degree in Business, Higher Education, Technology or related field preferred.
• 4+ years of experience in career services, workforce development, industry engagement or related fields.
• Strong understanding and demonstrated ability to analyze labor market trends, future of work, and emerging technologies to build programs and teams.
• Experience working in or with emerging industries.
• Experience with Program Development, Project Management and/or Strategic Initiatives.
• Familiarity with AI, automation, or digital transformation trends.

Special Instructions

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. A current resume.
2. 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 10, 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.