Colorado Higher Ed: Strategic Leader & Policy Champion

Pueblo Community College; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PERA retirement benefits

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Job summary

Colorado Department of Higher Education seeks an Executive Director to lead the agency, guiding strategic direction, policy implementation, and stakeholder engagement across higher education, workforce development, and state initiatives.

The role partners with the Governor’s office, CCHE, and college administrators to align resources with Colorado’s education goals, oversee programs, budgeting, and long-range planning, and advance access to affordable education for diverse learners.

Qualifications

• Executive-level leadership with strategic planning and budgeting over $50m per year.
• Experience in policy development and implementation in higher education.
• Experience collaborating with elected officials and higher education leaders.
• Proven ability to manage staff and work in a collaborative setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide vision and leadership to senior management on state-level strategic matters.
• Build relationships with policymakers, college administrators, K-12 leaders, employers, and partners.
• Translate CCHE plans into policy actions and oversee master plan implementation.
• Oversee budgeting, policy, and initiatives to drive the department's objectives.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic planning

Budgeting and financial management

Stakeholder relations

Project management

Education

Higher education administration experience

Policy development experience

Job description

Colorado Department of Higher Education seeks an Executive Director to lead the agency, guiding strategic direction, policy implementation, and stakeholder engagement across higher education, workforce development, and state initiatives.

The role partners with the Governor’s office, CCHE, and college administrators to align resources with Colorado’s education goals, oversee programs, budgeting, and long-range planning, and advance access to affordable education for diverse learners.