Executive Director for Student Transitions and Family Engagement

Position Details
University of Colorado | Denver
Official Title: Executive Director
Working Title: Executive Director for Student Transitions and Family Engagement
FTE: Full-time 1.0 (100%) FTE | Hybrid
Salary Range: 105,000 - 115,000
Position #00679912- Requisition #41534
Join the University of Colorado Denver

About the University of Colorado Denver
Millions of moments start at CU Denver, a place where innovation, research, and learning meet in the heart of a global city. We're the state's premier public urban research university with more than 100 in-demand, top-ranked bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs. We partner with diverse learners-at any stage of their life and career-for transformative educational experiences. Across seven schools and colleges, our leading faculty inspires and works alongside students to solve complex challenges and produce impactful creative work. As part of the state's largest university system, CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy, with 2,000 employees and an annual economic impact of $665 million. To learn more about how CU Denver helps learners meet their moment, visit ucdenver.edu.

Job Description
* Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers *

The Executive Director for Student Transitions and Family Engagement (STFE) provides leadership, direction, and long-term planning for programs that support students through key transitions and foster early engagement in the university experience. The portfolio includes New Student Orientation and Family Engagement, First-Year Experiences, and Peer Advocate Leaders.
The Executive Director collaborates with colleagues and student leaders in STFE to ensure alignment with unit, divisional, and institutional priorities that support a coordinated, student-centered approach to student success. This role also serves as a key collaborator within the Division of Strategic Enrollment and Student Success (SESS), continually evaluating and implementing innovative approaches to support student success across in-person, hybrid, and remote environments.

Executive Director for Student Transitions and Family Engagement:
What you will do:

• Provide leadership and development for professional staff and student employees, including onboarding, performance management and evaluation, training, team building, and workplace wellness.
• Provide oversight and strategic management to the following programs:
  • New Student Orientation and Family Engagement, including orientation experiences for first-year and transfer students and their families, extended orientation, enrollment efforts, and innovative onboarding and reengagement initiatives.
  • First-Year Experience programs, including course offerings through First-Year Seminar and College Success (UNIV 1110), and faculty recruitment, training, and development.
  • Peer Advocate Leader (PAL) program, including innovative peer mentoring for new undergraduates, and opportunities for student development.
  • Lynx Summer Academy (i.e., summer bridge) for first-year students, including program planning, recruitment, course selection, program evaluation, and funding acquisition.
• Foster cross-campus collaboration and partnerships with academic departments, student support offices, faculty, staff, and other university stakeholders to coordinate services, identify emerging student needs, and develop integrated approaches to student engagement, persistence, and success.
• Establish and advance continuous improvement efforts across assigned programs and services, using best practices, student feedback, and relevant data to evaluate effectiveness, strengthen student outcomes, and align initiatives with university and Student Success goals.
• Provide reports to leadership on orientation and registration of new students, FYE persistence and retention, and Lynx Summer Academy persistence and retention.
• Streamline and continually improve communications with students and families by coordinating with Admissions and University Communications to ensure that all outreach to students are timely, specific, and targeted.
• Oversight of all program budgets and work with Directors to ensure resources allocated for each fiscal year are effectively deployed and processed in alignment with institutional procedures and policies.
• Participate in committee work with SESS and academic affairs colleagues to improve access, streamlined transitions, and student success and development.
• Represent CU Denver and STFE at events and programs on and off-campus.
• Serve on campus committees, working groups, and/or task forces related to Student Success initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications you already possess (Minimum Qualifications)
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

• Master's degree from an accredited institution in related field.
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a higher education setting leading student enrollment, retention, graduation efforts, and/or other related higher education experience.
• Five (5) years of experience in a supervisory or administrative position in higher education or similar field (i.e., education, business or non-profit).
• Experience managing budgets.

Preferred Qualification to possess (Preferred Qualifications)

• Earned doctorate in educational leadership or higher education or related field from an accredited institution.
• Experience in a comprehensive urban university.
• Experience with traditional age, older, and diverse student populations.
• Evidence of effective creation and execution of programs that are best-practice informed models.
• Experience with grant administration, pre- and/or post-award.
• Experience working with EAB Navigate360.
• Demonstrated experience leading a team of diverse faculty, staff, and community members.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to lead a team of diverse faculty, staff, and community members.
• Demonstrated evidence of the ability to effectively devise and manage budgets.
• Demonstrated commitment to academic excellence and student success.
• Leadership experience and skills in conceiving and carrying forward new initiatives.
• Skills in identifying problems, analyzing data, and making recommendations.
• Ability to be creative, innovative, and willing to take risks to accomplish the goals of the institution.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Consensus builder with the ability to bring about constructive change using participatory processes.
• Excellent organizational and coordinating skills.
• Skilled in communicating effectively in writing, public presentations, and individual or group consultations.
• A demonstrated ability to integrate principles of equity and inclusion into programs and practices.
• Ability to work in partnership with faculty, administrators, staff, and students from across the university.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to successfully prioritize among multiple tasks and manage multiple project on distinct timelines.

Conditions of Employment

• Occasional work during the evening and/or weekends may be required.
• This position generally requires an onsite presence on campus; however, employees may be allowed to work remotely up to one day per week. The ability to work remotely will be determined by the supervisor. Working from the office is encouraged when working on tasks that require a high degree of collaboration.

Mental, Physical, and/or Environmental Requirements

• The ability to sit for extended periods, stand and walk occasionally, reach with hands and arms, use hands to manipulate a keyboard and mouse, and have good near vision for computer work; often requiring minimal lifting, but may involve bending or reaching to retrieve items from shelves or drawers.

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.

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 workplaceengagement@ucdenver.edu.

Employment Sponsorship
Please be advised that this position is not eligible now or in the future for visa sponsorship.

Compensation and Benefits
The salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established at $105,000 - $115,000.

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado Denver provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Benefits: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

Application Deadline
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Preference will be given to complete applications received by Nov 17, 2026, 11:59:00 PM. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Required Application Materials:
To apply, please visit: http://www.cu.edu/cu-careers and attach:

• A cover letter which specifically addresses the job requirements and outlines qualifications
• A current CV/resume
• List of three references (we will notify you prior to contacting both on and off-list references)

Questions should be directed to Erika Larson, erika.larson@ucdenver.edu.

Background Check Policy
The University of Colorado Denver strives to maintain a safe and productive educational, clinical, research and employment environment. All prospective employees and current employees must, therefore, consent to and pass background checks prior to any final appointment/employment.