Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives, Academic Affairs

Metropolitan State University of Denver•Denver, CO

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives supports the Chief Strategy Officer for Academic Affairs by coordinating and advancing high-priority strategic projects that support academic innovation, workforce alignment, online and flexible learning, and operational effectiveness. This position works closely with the Chief Strategy Officer to translate initiatives into actionable plans, coordinate cross-unit efforts, and maintain timely, high-quality execution. We are looking for candidates who bring strong initiative and strategic thinking to a role that requires moving complex work forward across multiple units. The Associate Director provides project leadership, research, coordination, communications support, and problem-solving to drive complex initiatives forward. This role is ideal for a highly organized, proactive, detail-oriented individual who excels in fast-paced environments and enjoys turning ideas into delivered outcomes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
Minimum of 5 years of experience leading or owning complex, multi-stakeholder projects across departments or functions
Experience developing and managing project plans, timelines, deliverables, and tracking systems that drive execution across multiple teams
Experience leading or directly contributing to structured program, credential, or initiative development (e.g., academic programs, workforce initiatives, certifications, or similar)
Experience with end-to-end execution of projects by managing scope, timelines, and stakeholder accountability.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in education, public administration, business, or a related field.
7+ years of relevant experience, including project leadership and cross-unit coordination.
Experience with academic program development, workforce-aligned credentials, online learning, or process improvement.
Familiarity with governance, accreditation, and academic program approval processes.
Experience with project management tools (Asana, Trello, Smartsheet, MS Planner, etc.).
Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into actionable plans and deliverables.

Responsibilities

Develop project plans, timelines, deliverables, and tracking mechanisms for Academic Affairs strategic initiatives.
Lead day to day coordination among colleges, departments, CTLD, IT, Online Programs, and other campus partners.
Identify risks, remove barriers, and escalate issues as needed to maintain project momentum.
Prepare regular progress updates and reports for Academic Affairs leadership.
Gather and organize the information needed to advance new Workforce Pell eligible credentials, noncredit offerings, and stackable pathways, including job tasks, skill requirements, employer expectations, and curricular alignment.
Compile regulatory requirements, credential eligibility criteria, and peer program structures to support academic departments developing new offerings.
Coordinate Academic Affairs responsibilities for potential pilots with external partners that may support credential development, including managing information flow and reviewing materials for academic alignment.
Prepare program summaries, rationale statements, and approval documents for internal review processes and presentations.
Coordinate internal documentation for new credentials and ensure alignment across colleges, Academic Affairs units, CTLD, advising, and other campus partners.
Support development of stackable pathways by mapping progression routes and coordinating with advising and enrollment partners.
Maintain templates, checklists, and quality expectations for credential development.
Provide guidance on academic policies and approval steps related to new credentials.
Support an intake and prioritization process for Academic Affairs initiatives by organizing proposals, assessing alignment with institutional goals, and recommending sequencing.
Maintain tracking systems that monitor project status, timelines, and progress across Academic Affairs.
Draft summaries, talking points, visual aids, and briefing materials for leadership and campus partners.
Prepare synthesis materials that support leadership planning, decision making, and communication.
Produce concise briefs that highlight patterns, risks, and opportunities for the academic portfolio.
Maintain an integrated view of Academic Affairs initiatives by tracking project stages, dependencies, and overall pacing.