Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives

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, and supports the successful execution of university-wide priorities.

The Office of Strategic Initiatives serves as a central resource for the execution of Chancellor-sponsored university-wide initiatives and 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.

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

• 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.

• Support portfolio-level planning, coordination, and prioritization across concurrent strategic initiatives.
• Prepare executive briefings, presentations, and synthesize materials that translate complex initiative information into actionable insights.
• Coordinate cross-unit operational inputs necessary for successful initiative delivery, ensuring alignment among project teams throughout the lifecycle.
• Coordinate with external vendors, consultants, and system partners to support initiative delivery as needed.

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

This position is expected to work in a hybrid format, combining in-person and remote work based on operational needs.

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

At CU Boulder, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. Additional programs are available through the CU Advantage program.

• Bachelor’s 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.

• 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.

• 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 within 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.

CU Boulder is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.