Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education

Who We Are

Colorado Governor-elect Phil Weiser is committed to an administration that represents all of Colorado, and serves and protects every Coloradan. Governor-elect Weiser and his team will lead State government to ensure that we serve the people of Colorado, working to make their lives better, and together, we meet opportunities and challenges with creativity, collaboration, and compassion. His commitment to serve as the People’s Governor means that he and his team will have a sustained focus on how to make Colorado safer, more affordable, more sustainable, and a great place to live, build a business, and raise a family.

We Have Strong Core Values

Our core values drive our actions. We are: 1) principled, maintaining the highest ethical standards, acting with integrity, and operating transparently; 2) public servants, who are always ensuring our work is not about us, but instead is about improving the lives of the people of Colorado; 3) innovative, by seeking to solve problems creatively and operate with a continuous improvement mindset; and 4) "better together," by working to support each other as a team and collaborate effectively.

Department Information

The Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) carries out the policies of the General Assembly and the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE). CDHE’s divisions include Budget and Accounting; Outreach; Data, Research and Policy; Private Occupational Schools; Student Success and Academic Affairs; and the Executive Division, along with the Office of Educational Equity, Workforce and Social Mobility. The General Assembly created CCHE in 1965 to maximize opportunities for postsecondary education in Colorado. The commission is a policy and coordinating board whose powers and duties are outlined in Title 23 of the Colorado Revised Statutes. CollegeInvest, College Assist, and History Colorado are also agencies within the department.

Department: Office of the Governor; Department of Higher Education

Position Title: Executive Director 

Summary of Functions:The Executive Director is the Chief Executive Officer of the Colorado Department of Higher Education and the Colorado Commission on Higher Education. They ensure that Colorado’s education and training programs offer affordable pathways for learners to gain the skills needed for the modern workforce. They work with partners and employers to offer transition grants, technical assistance, incentives, and talent development to secure the best outcome for Colorado’s students across all postsecondary paths. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

Purpose

• Provide vision and leadership to the senior management team on all strategic matters regarding state-level activities. This position is vital to developing and implementing the strategic plan and to coordinating state-level policies that meet the education, workforce training, and economic development needs of the state 

• Build and cultivate relationships with higher education stakeholders including policymakers, college administrators, K-12 educators, K-12 administrators, employers, and public and private partners

• Actively communicate with members of the Colorado Commission on Higher Education and ensure that Board agendas support the completion of the Commission’s statutory functions and the accomplishment of department goals

Strategic Leadership

• Lead strategic planning efforts and ensure that statutory requirements and postsecondary system needs are successfully met. When appropriate, convene staff, constituents, and partners for review and discussion of departmental issues that impact Colorado’s postsecondary system

• Develop and articulate the strategic message of the department and CCHE among all stakeholders and constituents and foster a team ethic within the department. Lead efforts to implement a unified vision and shared goals for all divisions

• Conduct special studies, as appropriate or directed, on statewide education policy, finance, or coordination 

• Coordinate appropriate policy and administrative functions among the other Type 1 and Type 2 agencies within the department, including History Colorado, the Colorado Student Loan Program (also known as College Assist), CollegeInvest, and the Division of Private Occupational Schools

Regulatory, Policy, and Advocacy

• Manage operations of the agency, including budgeting, policy, and key initiatives. Set overall direction and tone for the organization’s strategy

• Ensure that the department's regulatory responsibilities for private degree-granting and occupational schools are carried out effectively and efficiently

• Support department staff in developing and advocating for the CCHE’s master plan and related initiatives

• Translate policy concepts found in CCHE plans into specific policy actions

• Advance and align Colorado’s higher education agenda with national best practices

• Oversee the development of research allowing the department and the CCHE to remain proactive while addressing current needs of the field

• Coordinate assistance to college campuses and external partners for the successful implementation of CCHE initiatives and, as necessary, to pursue grant opportunities 

• Oversee the development of department policies, ensuring their connection to broad state-level objectives and CCHE master plan priorities

• Administer statewide student financial assistance programs through policy development, program evaluation, and allocation of funds

• Establish statewide enrollment policies and admissions standards

Organizational Relationships: Colorado Commission on Higher Education, institutional governing boards; the elected University of Colorado Board of Regents; Department of Education; Joint Budget Committee; Chief Strategy and Initiatives Officer on ColoradoCorps; Colorado Department of Labor and Employment

Preferred Education/Experience:

• Executive-level organizational leadership, including significant responsibility for:

  • Strategic planning

  • Budgeting and financial management (of organizations or divisions of >$50m per year)

  • Operational management and process improvement

  • Stakeholder and public relations, including developing relationships with stakeholders with varying perspectives and interests

  • Planning, implementing, executing, and evaluating the success of special projects

  • Leading day-to-day program and service delivery

Preferred Qualifications

• Substantial training and experience in higher education administration

• Experience in policy development and implementation, including knowledge of the executive and legislative branches of government

• Experience working with elected officials and individuals in leadership positions in higher education, including academic leaders, student affairs leaders, administrative leaders, and budget leaders

• Substantial experience managing staff and working in a collaborative setting 

• Strong problem-solving and interpersonal skills

• Substantial experience working with business and community leaders on higher education issues

Conditions of employment: Applicants must pass a thorough background check prior to employment and reside in Colorado once employed

HOW TO APPLY: 

Please submit an online application for this position at buildingcoloradosfuturetogether.org. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received before the closing date.

A resume must be submitted with the application for consideration. Your resume must provide sufficient detail about your background and experience to allow the screening panel to properly assess your experience in the required elements, including your experience and achievements.

Benefits 

The State of Colorado offers a competitive benefits package to permanent employees:

• PERA retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan, PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus 401K and 457 plans

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance coverage

• Automatic Short-Term and Optional Long-Term Disability Coverage

•  Life and AD&D Insurance

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

• Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) job protection and State of Colorado Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML)

• 11 Paid Holidays Annually and Accrued Annual and Sick Leave

• Variety of discounts on services and products available through the State of Colorado's Work-Life Employment Discount Program

To learn more about State of Colorado benefits visit: https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/benefits.

ADAAA Requests

The State of Colorado is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our office will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator at [email protected].

We believe that diverse teams produce better results and encourage people of a variety of backgrounds and qualifications to apply.