Education Initiatives Project Specialist

University of Colorado

Boulder (CO)

On-site

USD 66,000 - 70,000

Full time

4 days ago

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Job summary

University of Colorado Boulder seeks an Education Initiatives Project Specialist to advance undergraduate programs within the Renee Crown Wellness Institute. You will translate priorities into executable plans, coordinate across teams and partners, and ensure delivery and day-to-day operations stay on track.

The role blends project management with hands-on operations, requiring strong judgment, organization, and the ability to work with diverse experts.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant field required.
Experience managing complex projects with multiple collaborators.
Strong organizational and communication skills essential.
Proficiency with Asana or similar project management tools.

Responsibilities

Provide project management for Education Initiatives projects and initiatives.
Develop and maintain project plans with timelines and milestones.
Coordinate cross-team collaboration and communicate progress to leadership.
Organize workflows, documentation, and systems to support execution.
Schedule meetings, travel, events, and related administrative tasks.

Skills

Project management

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Asana

Microsoft Office

Job description

Requisition Number: 75625

Location: Boulder, Colorado

City: Boulder

State: Colorado

Employment Type: University Staff

Schedule: Full-Time

Posting Close Date: 01-Nov-2026

Date Posted: 21-Oct-2026

Job Summary

The Education Initiatives Project Specialist is a member of the Education Initiatives team at the Renee Crown Wellness Institute and works closely with the Director of Education Initiatives and the Program Manager to advance a portfolio of undergraduate education programs and strategic initiatives. The position helps turn Education Initiatives priorities into well-organized, executable projects by developing plans, coordinating work across teams and partners, and making sure both project results and day-to-day operational needs stay on track.

This role combines project management with hands-on operations and program implementation. The successful candidate will be able to see the larger goals of an initiative while also managing the details that make the work possible. This includes developing project plans, organizing work across multiple contributors, anticipating dependencies, and handling the scheduling, meetings, travel, events, and administrative processes that keep the work moving. The role requires strong judgment, exceptional organization and follow-through, and the ability to work effectively with people who bring different areas of expertise.

We are looking for someone who enjoys bringing clarity and organization to complicated work and is comfortable moving between the big picture and the details. The ideal candidate anticipates what needs to happen next, communicates well with a wide range of colleagues and partners, and enjoys creating systems and processes that make work easier and more effective. An interest in the Institute's mission and in supporting the well-being of young people through education is important to success in this role.

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.

Who We Are

The Crown Institute's research focuses on practices, programs, and policies that foster wellness among children and youth, families and caregivers, educators, and mental health and health providers. Scholars in multiple fields work together and in partnership with families, teachers, young people, and community members.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Project Management and Strategic Initiatives

Provide project management for a portfolio of Education Initiatives projects and strategic initiatives, with assignments and priorities evolving based on the needs of the team and Institute.

Develop and maintain project plans using backward planning and other project management approaches to establish and document project scope in collaboration with project leads and define timelines, milestones, results, roles and responsibilities, dependencies, and action items.

Translate project goals and decisions into clear work plans and actionable next steps; track progress and follow up with team members and partners to ensure commitments and deliverables move forward.

Establish and maintain project management systems, including Asana boards, project documentation, status tracking, and other tools that provide project teams and leadership with insight into progress, responsibilities, decisions, and upcoming needs.

Coordinate projects across Education Initiatives team members, other Institute teams, university partners, vendors, contractors, and other collaborators, including work that spans curriculum, finance and administration, communications, technology, and external partnerships; ensure requirements, decisions, and results are effectively communicated across teams.

Monitor project schedules, outputs, and dependencies. Anticipate upcoming needs and identify potential barriers or gaps. Work with project leads and partners to adjust plans and develop solutions as projects evolve.

Develop and improve project workflows, templates, documentation, and organizational systems so that work is clearly organized, accessible to collaborators, and able to be implemented consistently across projects and partners.

Provide project status updates, reports, and other documentation to Education Initiatives leadership and project partners as needed.

Education Initiatives Operations

Manage complex scheduling and meeting coordination for Education Initiatives projects and programs, including scheduling across Institute leadership, project teams, university partners, vendors, and external collaborators; use an understanding of project priorities, deliverables, and dependencies to determine appropriate timing, sequencing, and participation.

Coordinate meeting preparation, logistics, and follow-through, including developing agendas in collaboration with project leads, arranging space and technology, documenting key decisions and discussion, and translating meeting outcomes into clear action items, owners, timelines, and updates to project plans.

Coordinate operational and logistical support for student- and employee-facing programs, including recurring Communities of Practice, research seminars, events, convenings, and other Education Initiatives activities; coordinate space and technology needs, food and supplies, participant communications, and on-site support.

Coordinate domestic and international travel for Education Initiatives programs and participants, including flights, accommodations, ground transportation, itineraries, participant communications, and related logistics.

Partner with the Institute's Finance & Personnel Team to coordinate contracts and agreements with vendors, contractors, community partners, and collaborating institutions, including required documentation and University approval processes; track contract status, invoices, payments, and other administrative milestones.

Coordinate program-related financial and administrative transactions in partnership with the Finance & Personnel Team, including purchasing and procurement, travel reimbursements, vendor and contractor payments, student stipends, scholarships, and other program expenses; support tracking of project and event revenue and expenses.

Maintain project and program information in relevant Institute databases, tracking systems, shared platforms, files, and records, ensuring information and documentation are accurate, current, organized, and accessible to appropriate team members.

Participate in Institute-wide meetings, activities, and operational processes and collaborate with other Crown Institute teams to support shared priorities and effective cross-team workflows.

Program and Initiative Implementation

Coordinate implementation of new and evolving Education Initiatives programs and projects, helping move initiatives from planning and design through launch and ongoing operation.

Work with program staff and subject-matter experts to organize curriculum, program content, requirements, and supporting materials into clear and consistent structures that can be effectively implemented by university partners, vendors, and other collaborators.

Coordinate technology implementation across program and curriculum teams and external technology partners; organize requirements, content, decisions, assets, timelines, and results to support effective development and implementation.

Coordinate vendors, contractors, university partners, and other external collaborators supporting program implementation, including coordinating timelines, communicating project requirements, tracking results, coordinating needed information and approvals, and maintaining relevant project documentation.

Develop and design project and program materials, including presentations, one-pagers, meeting materials, program documentation, and other digital or printed materials; collaborate with the Institute's communications team, designers, and other partners as appropriate.

Coordinate program and project communications, including drafting and proofreading materials, gathering input from appropriate contributors, and managing review and distribution processes.

What You Should Know

This position follows the Crown Institute's hybrid work schedule and requires regular on-site work in Boulder, Colorado, with a minimum of two days per week in the office.

This position requires occasional domestic and international travel.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Anticipated start date is January 18,2027.

What We Can Offer

The annual hiring range for this position is $65,500-$70,000.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. In fact, CU Boulder has been named one of Forbes' America's Best Large Employers, ranking #4 among large employers in Colorado and #28 among universities nationwide. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be groundbreaking. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Bachelor's degree and 1+ years of relevant professional experience in project management, program operations, higher education administration, or a combination of related experience.

An equivalent combination of education and/or relevant experience may substitute.

Experience managing or coordinating complex projects and/or program operations involving multiple collaborators, timelines, results, and logistical or administrative requirements.

What You Will Need

Strong project management and organizational skills, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities, timelines, and results and adapt as project needs evolve.

Excellent attention to detail and ability to bring structure, organization, and follow-through to complex or evolving work.

Strong judgment and problem-solving skills, including the ability to anticipate needs, recognize dependencies and potential barriers, and determine appropriate next steps.

Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to synthesize information, document decisions, and communicate clearly with internal and external partners.

Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, with the ability to coordinate effectively across individuals with different areas of expertise, roles, and organizational levels.

Ability to thrive independently with moderate supervision, take initiative within the scope of the role, and recognize when to seek input, elevate issues, or engage additional partners.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and demonstrated ability and willingness to learn new project management, administrative, and technology systems.

Dedication to the mission and values of the Renee Crown Wellness Institute and interest in contributing to education initiatives that support the well-being of young people.

Willingness to incorporate feedback and a dedication to continued learning and professional growth.

What We Would Like You to Have

Master's degree.

3+ years of experience in project management, program operations, higher education administration or a similarly complex education-focused organization.

Experience working with undergraduate education programs, student-facing initiatives, or related academic programs.

Experience coordinating complex scheduling and meeting logistics across multiple partners.

Experience using Asana or other project management software.

Experience coordinating complex domestic or international travel, events, programs, or convenings.

Experience working with vendors, independent contractors, community partners, or other external collaborators, including related contracts, purchasing, reimbursements, or payment processes.