The University has identified one or more qualified candidates for potential appointment to this position. This posting is being provided in accordance with Colorado law and University procedures to provide notice of the opportunity. Other candidates may apply during the posting period; however, the existence of this posting does not necessarily indicate that the University is conducting a competitive search or that additional applicants will be interviewed.

The University of Denver is located in Denver, Colorado, a city known for its dynamic blend of business, innovation and world-class recreation. Denver is consistently ranked by Forbes and Kiplinger Magazine as one of the top cities for young professionals and recent college graduates. The University of Denver is a private institution founded in 1864.

It serves a population of more than 5,200 undergraduate and 6,200 graduate students as a research-intensive institution. The beautiful campus is located approximately seven miles from downtown with easy access to public transportation.

With a long tradition of excellence and innovation, the Daniels College of Business prepares students to succeed in a dynamic, changing world. We are a high-achieving community of students, staff and faculty that inspires one another to think in new ways, perform at higher levels, and transform organizations and communities. Daniels is ranked among the top business schools and is the only business school in Colorado to receive rankings and recognition from BusinessWeek, the Financial Times, U.S.

News & World Report and Forbes.

The Daniels

College of Business (DCB) offers a variety of baccalaureate, graduate, PhD and certificate programs which are detailed at https://daniels.du.edu/

Position Summary The Executive Director of Strategic Operations for the Daniels College of Business is a senior strategic and operational leader responsible for advancing the Dean’s priorities and ensuring the effective operation of the College. Reporting directly to the Dean and serving as a key member of the Dean’s leadership team, the Executive Director provides leadership across strategic initiatives, executive and board management, administrative operations, facilities and capital improvements, and College-wide coordination.

The position serves as a critical link between the Dean, College leadership, faculty and staff, the Daniels Executive Advisory Board (EAB), the Daniels Administrative and Support Team (DAST), University partners, and external stakeholders.

The Executive

Director translates the Dean’s vision and College strategy into coordinated operating priorities, establishes processes and accountability for execution, and ensures that resources and administrative functions are aligned with the College’s strategic objectives.

The Executive Director must possess strong organizational leadership, judgment, and relationship-management skills and have the ability to operate effectively in a complex and highly collaborative environment. The position requires the ability to anticipate organizational needs, identify opportunities and risks, resolve complex operational issues, and independently advance priorities on behalf of the Dean.

The Executive Director directly supervises the Manager of Building Operations, the Dean’s Office Administrative Assistant, and the part time Special Projects, Technology, Multimedia and AV Support employee. The Executive Director also provides functional leadership and strategic direction to the Daniels Administrative and Support Team (DAST), coordinating work across administrative functions to support College priorities.

In partnership with the Dean, the Executive Director establishes operational and strategic priorities for the College and leads teams and individuals in translating those priorities into measurable results.

Essential Functions

Strategic Leadership and Execution

- Serve as a strategic advisor and leadership partner to the Dean, helping translate the Dean’s vision and College priorities into actionable strategies, operating plans, and measurable outcomes.
- Represent the Dean’s vision and priorities in College and University matters, internally and externally, and independently advance initiatives on the Dean’s behalf when appropriate.
- Anticipate emerging operational needs, organizational risks, and opportunities and recommend strategies and solutions to the Dean and College leadership.
- Identify opportunities to improve organizational effectiveness, communication, collaboration, and efficiency across the College’s administrative and operational functions.
- Coordinate and liaise with senior administrative and academic leaders across Daniels and the University on matters of strategic importance to the Dean and College.
- Lead cross-functional initiatives involving multiple College departments and University partners, establishing clear objectives, responsibilities, timelines, and accountability for results.
- Oversee Daniels building strategy, capital improvements, space planning, and operational initiatives designed to create an innovative and effective learning and working environment for students, faculty, and staff.





Executive Advisory Board Management and Engagement
- Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the Daniels Executive Advisory Board (EAB), serving as the primary administrative and operational liaison between the Dean and Board members.
- Partner with the Dean to establish the annual strategy, priorities, meeting objectives, and engagement plan for the EAB, ensuring Board activities directly support the College’s strategic priorities.
- Develop and manage the annual EAB calendar, including meetings, retreats, special engagements, committee activities, and other opportunities for Board participation.
- Lead the planning and execution of EAB meetings and retreats, including agenda development, content coordination, executive briefing materials, presentations, contracts, venues, logistics, communications, and follow-up.

DAST Management and Leadership
- Provide strategic leadership and direction for the Daniels Administrative and Support Team (DAST), ensuring administrative functions across the College operate collaboratively and in alignment with College priorities.
- Establish DAST priorities, annual goals, meeting agendas, operating expectations, and accountability measures in partnership with College leadership.
- Lead regular DAST meetings and facilitate communication, coordination, and problem-solving across administrative units.
- Serve as a resource and mentor to DAST members, providing guidance on complex operational issues, College priorities, processes, and stakeholder management.

People and Organizational Leadership
- Provide direct leadership, supervision, coaching, and performance management for employees reporting to the Executive Director.
- Establish clear goals, priorities, and performance expectations for direct reports and ensure individual responsibilities align with College objectives.
- Coach and mentor administrative staff in navigating complex or sensitive situations and provide guidance on decision-making, communication, and stakeholder management.
- Support organizational and workforce planning within the College, including evaluating administrative structures, identifying resource needs, and recommending changes that improve organizational effectiveness.
- Partner with College leadership and University Human Resources on employee transitions, organizational changes, performance management, and other personnel matters as appropriate. Serve as a leadership resource for administrative staff throughout Daniels, providing guidance and support beyond direct supervisory relationships when College-wide coordination is required.

Executive Management and Dean’s Office Leadership
- Independently manage the administrative infrastructure supporting the Dean and the College’s senior leadership functions, ensuring priorities are coordinated and decisions are translated into action.
- Oversee the administration and effectiveness of key leadership groups and standing committees advising the Dean, including the Dean’s Cabinet, Senior Leadership Team, EAB, and DAST.
- Establish systems for tracking decisions, commitments, strategic priorities, and follow-up actions arising from leadership and Board meetings.
- Ensure the Dean is appropriately briefed and prepared for significant internal and external meetings, Board engagements, University discussions, and strategic decisions.
- Manage the flow of information to and from the Dean’s Office, exercising judgment regarding priorities, confidentiality, appropriate escalation, and stakeholder communication.
- Develop, review, and coordinate executive-level communications, reports, presentations, briefing materials, and correspondence on behalf of the Dean.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

- Demonstrated ability to serve as a strategic advisor and trusted partner to executive leadership.
- Demonstrated success leading complex administrative and operational functions and translating organizational strategy into measurable results.
- Strong board-management experience, including executive board engagement, governance support, meeting strategy, and relationship management.
- Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams and influencing individuals who may not have a direct reporting relationship to the position.
- Strong people-management capabilities, including coaching, mentoring, performance management, conflict resolution, and professional development.
- Demonstrated ability to build cohesion and collaboration across diverse functional areas and stakeholder groups.
- Ability to exercise significant independent judgment, discretion, and decision-making authority when managing sensitive or confidential matters.
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically and conceptually while remaining flexible and adaptable as organizational needs evolve.




- Demonstrated capacity to identify and solve complex organizational and operational problems.
- Ability to lead change, establish effective processes, and improve organizational efficiency.
- Exceptional relationship-management skills and demonstrated ability to build networks and partnerships that advance organizational objectives.
- Excellent executive-level written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Demonstrated project-management skills with the ability to lead multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.
- High degree of personal and professional integrity, discretion, judgment, and accountability.
- Self-starter with an entrepreneurial mindset and the ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a highly collaborative organization.
- Demonstrated commitment to inclusive excellence and the ability to work effectively with individuals and communities representing diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Required Qualifications

- Master’s degree or the equivalent in relevant years and level of experience
- 10 years of experience in business or administration management, including experience in direct personnel and team management and general operations
- Experience managing a complex organization with demonstrated track record of building cohesion among disparate groups
- Knowledge of trends in business education particularly as they relate to the real world issues and future business and economic realities.
- Excellent writing, oral, and interpersonal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

- Administrative experience in higher education with a track record of academic leadership

Working Environment

- Standard office environment.
- Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
- Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

- Ability to work in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
- Occasionally required to move about the office/campus.

Work Schedule Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m.

- 4:30 p.m.

Application Deadline For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) October 2, 2026.

Special Instructions

Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:

The salary grade for the position is 14.

Salary Range:

The salary range for this position is $110,000-$120,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:

The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:

- Resume
- Cover Letter The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are based upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history and National Sex Offender Registry background check.

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