Executive Assistant & Strategic Operations Manager

University of Colorado • Denver, CO

23h • $85,000 - $95,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Executive Assistant & Strategic Operations Manager provides high-level executive, administrative, integrative, and project coordination support to senior Advancement leadership, including the Vice President for Advancement. This role requires independent judgment, discretion, and a proactive approach to aligning executive priorities in a remote environment.
In addition to traditional executive support, this position functions as part of the Business Operations team as an organizational integrator—ensuring alignment across leadership priorities, projects, communications, and operational follow-through. The role serves as a trusted partner to executive leadership by orchestrating complex schedules, facilitating leadership meetings, preparing executive-level materials, managing projects, and driving accountability for strategic initiatives.
The position functions as a key liaison across Advancement, campus partners, and the CU Foundation and plays an integral role in the effective operation of the System Advancement Leadership Team. As a member of the Business Operations team, this role reports to the Director of Budget, Finance & Business Operations, with dotted line reporting to the Vice President for Advancement.
The position reports to the Director of Budget, Finance & Business Operations and is exempt from the State of Colorado Classified Staff System.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education, or equivalent professional experience (professional experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis).
• Six (6) years’ professional experience providing executive-level administrative and integrative support, including:
• Complex scheduling and meeting coordination
• Strategic cross-functional coordination and follow-through
• Project planning and execution
• Advanced use of Microsoft Office Suite
• Demonstrated experience in effective utilization of project management tools or workflow systems, such as Monday.com, to run projects efficiently and effectively in a remote environment.
• Experience supporting executives and/or leadership teams in a complex organization.
• Solid understanding of executive support, organizational integration, and project management principles, tools, and standard methodologies.
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize nuanced information and present it clearly to leadership.
• Highly proficient to expert user of Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), with the ability to quickly learn new systems and technologies.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to handle multiple, concurrent priorities.
• Proven ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Ability to build positive working relationships across diverse teams and key partners while representing the Vice President and leadership team with professionalism.
• Capacity to perform effectively under pressure and adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to anticipate needs of senior leadership and proactively solve problems using sound judgment.

Nice To Haves

• Eight (8) years’ professional executive assistant experience, as indicated above.
• Prior work experience at a public institution of higher education or other complex and dynamic organization.
• Two (2) years’ experience applying the Agile framework for project management, or other similar methodology that supports structured yet flexible collaboration to effectively move projects forward to successful implementation.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive executive support to the Vice President and up to three Associate/Assistant Vice Presidents who make up the Advancement Leadership Team, including complex calendar management, multi-stakeholder correspondence and coordination, and travel and expense report support in a remote environment.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for senior-level internal and external partners, exercising discretion and professionalism.
• Draft and distribute executive-level correspondence and communications as requested.
• Manage the leadership team program plan and associated processes, integrating key workflows and initiatives into annual schedules for leadership, management, and staff meetings, proactively resolving conflicts and optimizing executive time.
• Act as a thought partner to executive leadership by organizing task lists, monitoring follow-up items, and ensuring accountability for critical initiatives.
• Draft meeting materials including PowerPoint presentations, Excel files, and Word documents as needed for the VP and leadership team.
• Coordinate specific meeting arrangements including organizing and setting agendas and developing or coordinating relevant meeting materials.
• Proactively generate materials by synthesizing past materials and other relevant documents
• Follow up to ensure materials are received and shared with relevant participants prior to meetings to ensure full engagement and efficient use of time.
• Use data from Advancement’s customer relationship management system (CU Ascend) and associated tools to create reports, spreadsheets, and correspondence on behalf of the Vice President for Advancement.
• Assist with internal and external communication and improve transparency by proactively identifying communications needs and sharing feedback from employees with VP and leadership team.
• Provide excellent, confidential communications support for the VP and leadership team as needed through all modalities – verbal, written, and online meetings – working closely with Advancement communications teams as appropriate.
• Facilitate regular leadership planning, review, and strategy sessions, ensuring meetings are well-structured, focused, and outcome oriented.
• Track action items, results, and target dates; follow up with appropriate partners to support timely execution.
• Apply project management discipline, including planning, scope management, issue tracking, and communication.
• Serve as support to leadership by identifying risks, surfacing challenges, and proposing resolution options.
• Facilitate agendas and serve as host/emcee for staff meetings as appropriate, providing updates and ensuring clear communication.
• Function as an integrator across senior leadership priorities, ensuring alignment between strategy, operations, communications, and execution.
• Translate executive direction into coordinated actions by clarifying priorities, sequencing work, and ensuring shared understanding across leaders and teams.
• Assess progress across leadership initiatives and interdependent projects, identifying gaps, overlaps or misalignment, and elevating issues for resolution.
• Facilitate coordination among executives, directors, and functional leaders to ensure decisions are implemented consistently and effectively.
• Reinforce accountability by following commitments made by leadership, supporting follow-through, and diplomatically handling when priorities drift.
• Serve as a stabilizing presence in a remote environment by maintaining structure, cadence, and continuity across leadership workflows.
• Support leadership decision-making by integrating information from multiple sources into clear summaries, recommendations, and next steps.
• In conjunction with the Director of Budget, Finance & Business Operations, support the Advancement strategic planning process, including development of annual planning materials, coordination of inputs, and progress tracking.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for Monday.com, supporting leadership and staff in project and plan tracking.
• Find opportunities to streamline processes, improve workflows, and leverage technology to increase efficiency.
• Exercise independent judgment in problem-solving and drive follow-up and resolution of issues arising from leadership discussions and executive meetings.
• Handle special projects and perform related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• No-cost or low-cost medical & dental plan options, some inclusive of IVF assistance.
• Disability, Life, Vision Insurance options.
• Multiple retirement planning options including a mandatory 401(a) plan where CU contributes 10%25 of your gross pay, a 401k or 403b plan and a 457 deferred compensation plan.
• Pre-tax savings plans, such as Health care and Dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Embrace a healthy work-life balance with ample sick and vacation leave, along with at least 12 paid holidays. This includes a dedicated week off for winter break.
• 6 weeks of parental leave to adjust to the joys of parenthood.
• A tuition benefit program for you and/or your dependents.
• Free RTD EcoPass and Free Onsite Parking at our 1800 Grant Street Office.
• Many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level