Chief Academic Officer

Colorado State University • Denver, CO

3d • $260,000 - $290,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Academic Officer (CAO) is the senior academic officer of the Colorado State University System and a member of the Chancellor’s executive leadership team. The CAO provides strategic leadership for academic affairs, student success, educational innovation, workforce development, and academic policy across the System’s institutions. The role is the principal advisor to the Chancellor and Board of Governors on academic matters and advances System priorities by fostering collaboration among institutions while respecting their distinct missions. The CAO works with university provosts, faculty, student affairs and enrollment leaders, and external partners to promote educational excellence, strengthen student outcomes, and address Colorado’s evolving educational and workforce needs. The CAO also serves as the primary liaison to the Colorado Department of Higher Education and leads on academic quality, accreditation, transfer and articulation, institutional effectiveness, academic policy, educational technology, and emerging higher education issues. The successful candidate will be eligible for appointment with tenure at one of the System’s universities, subject to institutional and departmental review and approval.

The CAO staffs the Board of Governors Academic and Student Affairs Committee, organizing regular and ad hoc presentations with campus leaders, ensuring materials are submitted accurately and on time, and generally presenting reports to the Board. The position coordinates campus academic reports, curricular proposals, and academic policy changes brought to the Board, working primarily with provost offices and consulting General Counsel on items requiring Board approval. The CAO acts as the primary liaison to the Colorado Department of Higher Education, attends relevant monthly meetings, and supports campuses and System staff in their interactions with the department. The role also assists with legislative matters involving academic and student affairs policy, including analysis of potential impacts and, as appropriate, development of strategies and Board education.

The CAO advances System-wide student success and educational attainment priorities, including persistence, completion, belonging, transfer, post-graduation success, and equitable outcomes, using evidence and data-informed decision-making. The position facilitates regular coordination among campus leaders in academic and student affairs, monitors emerging higher education trends, and advises the Chancellor, Board of Governors, and senior System colleagues on significant academic and student affairs issues. Broader leadership responsibilities include academic and curricular planning, instructional excellence, educational innovation, workforce and talent development, and partnerships serving Colorado communities and its economy. Success requires building trust, leading through influence, aligning diverse priorities, and demonstrating strategic thinking, political acumen, communication, transparency, integrity, sound judgment, and commitment to shared governance and academic values.

This is a fully in-person position based at the System’s downtown Denver offices. Routine travel to the Pueblo and Fort Collins campuses, Board of Governors meetings around the state, and relevant conferences is expected. The CAO is expected to collaboratively supervise several senior-level administrators. The anticipated hiring range is $260,000–$290,000, depending on qualifications and experience, and the anticipated start date is April 15, 2027.

Requirements

• Currently holds, or has previously held, a tenured faculty appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or higher at an accredited institution, with academic credentials and scholarly achievement sufficient for tenure appointment at Colorado State University or Colorado State University Pueblo.
• At least five years of progressive senior leadership experience in higher education, such as associate dean, dean, vice or associate provost, provost, vice president, or comparable executive academic leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing academic strategic initiatives.
• Experience with accreditation, academic quality assurance, and institutional effectiveness processes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex organizations or multi-unit initiatives.
• Evidence of effective communication and relationship-building with internal and external stakeholders.
• At least two years supervising professional staff within a postsecondary academic unit.
• Ability to lead through influence rather than direct authority, build productive relationships across diverse constituencies, and align institutional priorities around shared System goals.
• Demonstrated commitment to shared governance and academic values; strong communication skills and a record of transparency, integrity, and good judgment.

Nice To Haves

• Leadership experience in a public higher education system and/or multi-campus environment.
• Experience working with governing boards.
• Experience with state higher education policy and legislative relations.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex budgets, funding sources, and resources.
• Demonstrated experience and responsibility for analyzing, assessing, and facilitating implementation of state and/or federal higher education policy.
• Academic record and scholarly accomplishment consistent with appointment at the rank of Professor.
• Demonstrated success leading through influence, consensus-building, and collaboration across decentralized organizations or multi-stakeholder environments.

Responsibilities

• Staff the Board of Governors Academic and Student Affairs Committee; coordinate campus presentations and reports, ensure timely and accurate materials for the Chancellor’s review, and generally present reports orally at Board meetings.
• Coordinate campus academic reports, curricular proposals, and academic policy changes submitted to the Board of Governors, working primarily with provost offices and involving General Counsel on items requiring Board approval.
• Serve as the primary liaison to the Colorado Department of Higher Education, attend relevant commission and council meetings, and support campuses and System staff in their interactions with the department.
• Assist with legislative matters involving academic and student affairs policy, including monitoring and analyzing potential impacts and supporting strategies, legislative discussions, and Board education as appropriate.
• Advance System-wide student success and educational attainment initiatives focused on persistence, completion, belonging, transfer, post-graduation success, and equitable outcomes, using evidence and data-informed decision-making.
• Facilitate regular meetings and coordination among campus leaders in academic and student affairs, including communities of practice in areas such as enrollment, admissions, student affairs, student success, and online education.
• Monitor emerging trends affecting higher education, such as artificial intelligence, educational technology, demographic shifts, workforce needs, public policy developments, and fraudulent students, and help the System respond.
• Advise the Chancellor, Board of Governors, and senior System colleagues on major local, national, and international academic and student affairs issues.
• Provide System and statewide leadership for academic excellence, academic and curricular planning, educational innovation, instructional excellence, workforce and talent development, and partnerships serving Colorado communities and its economy.
• Collaboratively supervise several senior-level administrators.

Benefits

• The posting describes a robust benefits package, a collaborative atmosphere, and a focus on work-life balance; it refers applicants to separate benefits information for details.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: No Education Listed