Program Coordinator Critical Mineral Strategy and Advancement

Engineering a world of possibilities

Colorado School of Mines has over 150 years of experience in all aspects of the critical minerals life cycle. We believe that securing sustainable and reliable supplies of these resources is essential for the future of technology, energy, and national security. The Program Coordinator Critical Minerals Strategy and Advancement team supports the role of the Executive Director Critical Minerals Strategy and Advancement, who leads the University’s work in this vital field. This position will be a support in forging national partnerships, positioning Mines to help policy makers, industry, and society close the many gaps in our critical minerals supply chain, increasing Mines’ visibility, and attracting resources to grow the faculty and programs working in this space.

Primary Responsibilities

The Program Coordinator for Critical Minerals Strategy and Advancement will provide essential operational, administrative, and strategic support to the Executive Director of Critical Minerals Strategy and Advancement. This role ensures smooth execution of initiatives, effective coordination across campus and external partners, and timely progress toward Mines’ vision of becoming the leading academic partner in the global critical minerals ecosystem.

The Program Coordinator will manage day‑to‑day operations, assist with partnership engagement, support research and fundraising activities, and help maintain the momentum of Mines’ critical minerals strategy. This position is ideal for a highly organized, proactive professional who thrives in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Administrative Support

• Support the Executive Director in implementing the university-level strategic plan and associated business plan for critical minerals.
• Coordinate scheduling, communications, and logistics for internal and external meetings, workshops, and strategic planning sessions.
• Prepare briefing materials, presentations, reports, and summaries for leadership, faculty, and external stakeholders.
• Support the development of critical minerals short courses at Colorado School of Mines, develop curriculum with current Faculty, and work within the current short course structure at Mines to produce seminars that range from 3-5 days. 
• Develop meetings and seminars on and off campus, including logistics, abstract, agendas, invites, flyers, calendars etc.

Research and Program Support

• Support campus-wide critical minerals research initiatives by helping coordinate proposal development, tracking funding opportunities, and assisting with outreach efforts.
• Help organize seminars, symposia, and events that elevate Mines’ visibility in the critical minerals space.
• Assist in gathering and synthesizing information on global critical minerals trends to support the Executive Director’s strategic insight

Communications and Outreach:

• Build effective communications strategies with various internal (campus) and external audiences (alumni, industry contacts, fellows, advisory board members, other university personnel, etc), with timely response to all incoming emails and other communications channels.
• Engage with stakeholders to understand the economic, business, technical and other drivers of key players along the value chains of minerals and metals, and foster positive working relationships with the stakeholders and other campus partners.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as communications, economics, public policy, environmental studies, or a STEM discipline.
• At least 3 years of experience in program coordination, project management, research administration, or a related role.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with productivity tools (e.g., Microsoft Office, project management platforms, CRM systems).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in higher education, research environments, or STEM-related fields.
• Familiarity with critical minerals, natural resources, or energy sectors.
• Experience supporting communications, academic research or partnership development.
• Ability to synthesize technical information and communicate it clearly to varied audiences.

Salary and Benefits

$67,000 - $69,000

Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate’s education, training and experience as well as the position’s scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.

Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes:

• Flexible health and dental care options
• Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for entire campus.
• Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution
• Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)
• Free RTD Ecopass

All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the state of the art Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more) and equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center. We are proud to have recently opened an on campus daycare center. For more details about benefits at Mines, visit mines.edu/human-resources/benefits.

How to Apply

Complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, veteran status)

• Upload a resume or CV
• Upload a cover letter to explain what you bring to the position and what is your motivation to come to this job.

Candidates must be currently authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

The position is full time. Based in Golden, Colorado, with some flexibility for hybrid.

This posting may be used to fill more than one vacancy based on business needs.

References will not be contacted until later in the selection process and you will be informed before that contact is made.

Application review will begin March 9, 2026. This posting will remain open until filled and may close without notice. For best consideration, apply by March 8, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. as applications received after that date may not be reviewed.

Successful Completion of a Background Investigation is Required for this Position.

About Mines & Golden, CO

When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines.

Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines’ scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society. Today, we are the No. 36 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2025).

Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds.

At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that’s manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 “Very High Activity” research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size.

That size – roughly 8,200 undergraduate and graduate students – also translates to a close-knit campus community, where employees have opportunities to get involved in multiple ways, continued professional learning is valued and everyone can make an impact.

Community Alliance groups bring together employees for professional development, networking, and community involvement, and all Mines employees also have access to the wealth of activities happening every day on campus – nationally-renowned speakers, special events and Mines traditions like Engineering Days, just to name a few.

And don’t get us started on our hometown. We are located in the heart of Golden, Colorado --with its charming historic downtown and nearby hiking trails – and in close proximity to all that Denver and the Rocky Mountains have to offer. That includes the sunny, high-altitude climate and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities that make the Denver area an ideal place to live, work and play.

Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world’s problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a community where our individual perspectives and experiences enrich the educational and work experience?

Look to Mines.

Additional Information and Reasonable Accommodation Requests
It is the intent of Mines to comply with the applicable requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, and their implementation rules and regulations, in support of equal opportunities for qualified applicants with disabilities. To meet this goal, Mines will make reasonable accommodations during the employment selection process and within our working environment.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on our site as a result of your disability. You can request a reasonable accommodation by contacting our Human Resources team at hr@mines.edu or 303.273.3250 for assistance.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for this position.

Equal Opportunity

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.

Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a talented student body and workforce.

Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequality or concerns for safety.

Colorado's premier engineering and applied science university for 150 years and counting