Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives, Academic Affairs

Department

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives supports the Chief Strategy Officer for Academic Affairs by coordinating and advancing high-priority strategic projects that support academic innovation, workforce alignment, online and flexible learning, and operational effectiveness. This position works closely with the Chief Strategy Officer to translate initiatives into actionable plans, coordinate cross-unit efforts, and maintain timely, high-quality execution. We are looking for someone who brings strong initiative and strategic thinking to a role that requires moving complex work forward across multiple units.

The Associate Director provides project leadership, research, coordination, communications support, and problem-solving to drive complex initiatives forward. This role is ideal for a highly organized, proactive, detail-oriented individual who excels in fast-paced environments and enjoys turning ideas into delivered outcomes.

Project and Initiative Management (40%)

• Develop project plans, timelines, deliverables, and tracking mechanisms for Academic Affairs strategic initiatives.
• Lead day to day coordination among colleges, departments, CTLD, IT, Online Programs, and other campus partners.
• Identify risks, remove barriers, and escalate issues as needed to maintain project momentum.
• Prepare regular progress updates and reports for Academic Affairs leadership.

Workforce and Credential Development (25%)

• Gather and organize the information needed to advance new Workforce Pell eligible credentials, noncredit offerings, and stackable pathways, including job tasks, skill requirements, employer expectations, and curricular alignment.
• Compile regulatory requirements, credential eligibility criteria,  and peer program structures to support academic departments developing new offerings.
• Coordinate Academic Affairs responsibilities for potential pilots with external partners that may support credential development, including managing information flow and reviewing materials for academic alignment.
• Prepare program summaries, rationale statements, and approval documents for internal review processes and presentations.

Academic Documentation, Pathways, and Project Tracking (20%)

• Coordinate internal documentation for new credentials and ensure alignment across colleges, Academic Affairs units, CTLD, advising, and other campus partners.
• Support development of stackable pathways by mapping progression routes and coordinating with advising and enrollment partners.
• Maintain templates, checklists, and quality expectations for credential development.
• Provide guidance on academic policies and approval steps related to new credentials.
• Support an intake and prioritization process for Academic Affairs initiatives by organizing proposals, assessing alignment with institutional goals, and recommending sequencing.
• Maintain tracking systems that monitor project status, timelines, and progress across Academic Affairs.

Strategic Research and Communication (15%)

• Draft summaries, talking points, visual aids, and briefing materials for leadership and campus partners.
• Prepare synthesis materials that support leadership planning, decision making, and communication.
• Produce concise briefs that highlight patterns, risks, and opportunities for the academic portfolio.
• Maintain an integrated view of Academic Affairs initiatives by tracking project stages, dependencies, and overall pacing.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in project management, academic administration, strategy, operations, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex projects involving multiple stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage competing deadlines and work independently.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in education, public administration, business, or a related field.
• 7+ years of relevant experience, including project leadership and cross-unit coordination.
• Experience with academic program development, workforce-aligned credentials, online learning, or process improvement.
• Familiarity with governance, accreditation, and academic program approval processes.
• Experience with project management tools (Asana, Trello, Smartsheet, MS Planner, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into actionable plans and deliverables.

Salary for Announcement

Closing Date

Open Until Filled

Posting Representative

Posting Representative Email

Benefits

The University’s benefits package is comprehensive and offers medical, vision and dental, free RTD pass, tuition reimbursement, as well as a life and supplemental insurance plans, retirement plans and other programs, such as access to a long-term disability (LTD) plan. Visit MSU Denver’s benefits website to learn more.   

For a brief overview, please see: https://www.msudenver.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/MSU-Benefit-Summary.pdf. 

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 totalrewards@msudenver.edu.

Background Checks

Metropolitan State University of Denver 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 checks on all finalists for positions at the University prior to employment.

Diversity Statement

Metropolitan State University of Denver is a unique, access-oriented campus community that values diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms. Our student population consists of nearly 58% first generation students and over 50% students of color. We are a designated Hispanic Serving Institution located in downtown Denver.

We create an equitable learning and working environment in concert with individuals who consistently demonstrate commitment to equity and inclusion. We greatly value the diverse identities and perspectives of our students, faculty, and staff and recognize that in order to achieve a just and equitable society, diversity must go beyond simple representation. It requires critical inquiry and dialogue and a commitment to action. We strive to provide a culture of belonging for all community members to achieve personal and professional success.