UMC Director

University of Colorado Boulder; Boulder (CO); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 144,000; Full time

Job summary

The University Memorial Center (UMC) at the University of Colorado Boulder invites applications for a Director who will oversee operations of the UMC and related programs. The Director will drive planning, development, implementation, and assessment of facilities and services that support students and the CU Boulder community.

This role emphasizes policy implementation, revenue generation, and advocacy for diversity, sustainability, and assessment, while leading a team of staff and student

Qualifications

• Master's degree in higher education, student affairs, business management, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Performs administrative and supervisory functions related to coordination of UMC facilities, programs and services (≈$10 million operation).
• Oversees budgeting, finance, IT, and contract/lease negotiations; ensures policy compliance and student development focus.
• Coordinates with Housing Facility Services, Campus Dining, CU Book Store, and other campus units for integrated facility services.
• Leads student engagement through UMC Board, CUSG bodies, and supports a diverse student community.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Budget management

Facilities management

Stakeholder engagement

Policy implementation

Diversity and inclusion

Public communications

Education

Master's degree in higher education, student affairs, business management, or related field

Job description

Job Summary

The University Memorial Center (UMC) at the UniversityofColorado, Boulder is seeking applications for a UMCDirector! This position is in charge of the administrationand operation of the UMC and its associated programs. Thisindividual oversees and leads the planning, development,implementation, and assessment of facilities, programs and servicesthat support the educational, cultural, social, and recreationalneeds of students and the broader CU Boulder community. TheDirector is responsible for setting a high standard in the areas ofpolicy implementation; delivery of quality services and revenuegeneration; advocacy for diversity, sustainability, and assessment;facility maintenance and renovation; and student developmentthrough student employment and advising the UMC Board, a jointboard of CU Student Government (CUSG). The Director workscollaboratively with other Student Life offices and reportsadministratively to the Division of Student Life.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with allapplicable federal, state, and local laws governingnondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating aworkplace where all individuals are treated with respect anddignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds toapply, including protected veterans and individuals withdisabilities.

The UMC Director supervises the following areas of the studentunion: administration; building management, operations, receptiondesk, and security; building and campus non-academic scheduling andrelated sales (CU Events Planning & Catering); event audiovisual (AV) and set-up; student safe ride program (CU NightRide);games area (The Connection); assessment; student art program;contract negotiations for campus and private leases and Memorandaof Understanding (MOUs) in the union; Veterans Memorial Lounge;critical incident planning; and Public Information Officer(PIO).

In addition, the Director supervises the functional areas of CampusAlcohol Management and the central campus Event Management System(EMS). The position also supervises the provision of budget andfinancial support services for the UMC. The individual leads theunion’s short- and long-term facility and strategic foresight byworking collaboratively with UMC staff, the UMC Board, and campusadministration and partners. The UMC Director is seen as a leaderin the Division of Student Life and on campus given the role andvisibility of the student union for the campus and largercommunity.

Who We Are

The Divisionof Student Life consists of 36 departments that provide studentsupport and services dedicated to helping students becomesuccessful, curious, competent individuals during their time at CUBoulder.

With more than 1.6 million visitors each year, the UniversityMemorial Center (UMC) is a dynamic hub where community andengagement come to life. Known as the “heart of campus,” the UMCbuzzes with activity, welcoming thousands daily to dine, study,shop, bowl or play billiards at The Connection, or immerse ingaming at the Alienware Buffalo Esports and Gaming Lounge. We hostnumerous live events, meetings, and conferences for the CU Bouldercampus and wider community in our various spaces, including theGlenn Miller Ballroom. As a workplace, the UMC offers a fast-paced,people-centered environment where every interaction contributes tocampus life. Home to a wide range of student services and an activeCU student government, we foster leadership, collaboration, andinnovation among our staff and student employees. We celebratediversity through food, art, music, and open exchange of ideas,cultivating belonging while supporting the campus spaces whereexpression and activism thrive. At the UMC, we are committed tostudent success and will work together to build human capacityfocused on a culture of care for all.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Leadership

• Performs administrative and supervisory functions related tothe coordination of all UMC facilities, programs, and serviceswhich constitute an approximate $10 million operation.
• These responsibilities include hiring, training, andterminating professional UMC employees (state classified anduniversity exempt and non-exempt) and the general supervision ofapproximately 55 full-time staff and 125 student employees.
• Additionally, the position is well-versed in student andleadership development; games area operations; revenue generation;facility operations, maintenance, repair and replacement (R&R),and scheduling; budgeting, information technology (IT); capitalconstruction; strategic foresight; and assessment.

Facility and Operations

• Develops plan for facility and operational improvements,including major repairs and construction.
• Leads work with campus entities for the future renovation andexpansion of the UMC.
• Ensures staff serve as proactive liaisons to Housing FacilityServices, Campus Dining and Hospitality, and the CU Book Store,ensuring clear communication and strong collaboration in support ofthe UMC’s facility services, dining, and bookstore operations.

Campus Collaboration

• Works with various University departments including Finance,Procurement Services, Staff Council, Human Resources, FacilitiesManagement, Risk Management, Strategic Relations, PoliceDepartment, Vice Chancellor's and Chancellor's offices, and StudentLife departments.
• Serves as a colleague to other directors in the Division ofStudent Life.
• Works with and may chair committees on Division and Universityinitiatives, policies, and student engagement and retention.Supports the Division's and University's strategic plan andgoals.

Student Engagement

• Works with various student-run boards impacting the success ofthe UMC.
• Attends regularly scheduled meetings of the UMC Board, CUSGFinance Board, and CUSG Legislative Council; various studentorganization functions; and other meetings that pertain to theoperation of the UMC and Division of Student Life.
• Engages in dialogue with students and evaluates decisionsthrough a student development lens. Positively promotes the imageof the UMC and university.
• This position will serve on the Student Engagement ResponseTeam (SERT) committee in response to student activism and civicengagement.

Fiduciary

• Prepares and presents the annual operating budget andauthorizes expenditures of UMC funds and other funds under theirsupervision.
• These funds include student fees and self-generatedrevenues.
• Maintains proper internal fiscal controls.

Additional Responsibilities

• Works with various individuals in the effort to explainUniversity and UMC policy.
• Serves as a liaison to the USS Colorado Alumni Association andmaintains the UMC as the state's veterans memorial.
• Continues to develop the UMC as the "heart of campus" and a keycampus leader for event planning.
• Maintains active assessment and marketing efforts by workingwith Division leadership in these areas.
• Co-leads staff to support free expression for students (SERT).Engages in critical incident planning and drills with staff.
• Other assigned duties which, by nature of this position, can bevaried.

What You Should Know

• Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm. Hybrid days and time to be decidedonce hired.

What We Can Offer

• The annual salary range for this position is $129,825 -$144,250.
• Onboarding assistance may be available per Student Lifeguidelines.

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 BestLarge 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 challenged. Be dynamic. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Master's degree in higher education, student affairs, businessmanagement, or a related field. Relevant experience may substitutefor education on a year for year basis.
• 5 years of experience managing a complex organization and withincreasing responsibility for supervision, business operations,facility operations, and auxiliary services.
• 3 years of experience overseeing building maintenance,facilities operations, construction, or renovation projects inamounts of $500K+.

What You Will Need

• Organizational Leadership - The ability to develop andcommunicate a vision so that others commit and act to fulfill themission and goals of the organization.
• Financial Acumen - Maintains and applies a broad understandingof financial management principles to ensure decisions are fiscallysound and responsible.
• Critical and Analytical Thinking - Ability to objectivelyassess situations and make impartial, well-reasoned decisions.
• Written and Oral Communication - Ability to communicate in aclear, concise, organized, and convincing manner in both writtenand oral formats.
• Critical Thinking - Formulates objectives and priorities, andimplements plans consistent with the long-term interest of theorganization, capitalizes on opportunities and manages risks.
• Team Building - Inspires and fosters team commitment, spirit,pride, and trust. Facilitates cooperation and motivates teammembers to accomplish group goals.
• Partnering - Develops networks and builds alliances;collaborates across boundaries to build strategic relationships andachieve common goals.
• Dedication to social justice, diversity, inclusivity and equityin the student union and through its mission to serve the CUBoulder community.
• Knowledge of student activities and programming in a highereducation setting and that intentionally supports studentdevelopment, success, and retention.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of contract negotiationsand business management.
• Knowledge of physical plant systems and building maintenanceprograms.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience to help support studentdevelopment in a higher education setting.
• Demonstrated experience supervising large capital projects inamounts of $500k, renovations, and general construction for a facility that remains open to business operations and thepublic.
• Experience supervising an event and scheduling department.
• Experience in a leadership role for a facility with an alcohollicense.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a complex student governmentsystem in an efficient and effective manner.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and work with studentorganizations, a student governing board, and use and implementstudent development theories and practices.
• Demonstrated ability to select and supervise professionalstaff.
• Demonstrated ability to perform a variety of tasks in a dynamicenvironment, including creating and implementing a strategic planthat optimizes the facility's use for students and the CU Bouldercommunity.
• Demonstrated ability to stay abreast of the changing role ofthe student union and student life and development in highereducation.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain workingrelationships with a diverse student body, staff, faculty, andgeneral public.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly visible position,respond to media inquiries, and navigate university and communityrequests.
• Experience in designing, implementing, and evaluatingstudent.