Program Director of the Center for New Directions in Politics and Public Policy

University of Colorado•Denver, CO

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Political Science Department within the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Colorado Denver invites applications for a part-time Program Director of the Department’s Extended Studies Graduate Program: The Center for New Directions in Public Policy and Political Science. The Center for New Directions in Politics and Public Policy (CNDPPP / The Center), provides graduate-level academic programs, courses and research focused in the areas of politics and public policy, with the purpose of developing the leadership capacities necessary to address public challenges and opportunities within local communities, governmental jurisdictions, and nonprofit entities. The Center aims to be a state leader in providing academic and professional development opportunities to government officials, public policy professionals, non-profit professionals, and community organizing and development practitioners at the local level. The Program Director will be under the supervision of the Chair of the Department and will be responsible for the following areas: recruitment of students and adjunct faculty, curriculum design, oversight of New Directions student credentialing, class scheduling, coordination and oversight of course delivery by various instructors, advising of students, and budgeting. Teaching courses in the program is a possibility, with a separate lecturer appointment paid at the lecturer rate. The Program Director will also interface and build partnerships with local government jurisdictions, non-profit agencies, and other civil society organizations, which serve as internship placement sites for New Direction students. Though most partnerships will be with Denver-area jurisdictions and community-based organizations, The Program Director may also build upon the Department’s history of partnerships with small and rural government jurisdictions across Colorado. The Center for New Directions in Public Policy and Political Science is a “Continuing Education” program of CU Denver, and all revenues are derived from student tuition, requiring extensive recruitment of students.

Requirements

B.A. Degree in Political Science, Public Administration/Public Policy, Law, or related field
Four years of management or elected experience in local, state or national government, OR in leadership positions in non-governmental public policy or community leadership/development organizations, OR in administrative experience in university settings in the field of Political Science, Public Administration or related discipline.
A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree on a year-for-year basis.

Nice To Haves

Masters degree in Political Science, Public Administration/Public Policy, Law, or related field.
Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in the following areas:
Directing programs, especially in the university environment.
Coordinating with local and state government jurisdictions across Colorado.
Collaborating with non-profit organizations, community groups, and/or labor sectors in the Front Range.
Knowledge of Denver-area community and non-profit organizations and/or local government networks.
Knowledge of community development practices in fields such as affordable housing, cooperative and social economics, and labor movements.
Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
Demonstrate a commitment to providing outstanding customer service skills.
Demonstrate an exceptional understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion with a commitment to developing equitable practices.
Ability to perform duties independently without guidance and direction from other professionals.
Ability to manage ambiguous situations and/or information and translate them into results.
Ability to demonstrate exceptional management and leadership qualities.
Ability to manage and oversee multiple projects and tasks simultaneously while maintaining a high attention to detail.
Ability to effectively plan, establish and implement program goals and objectives.
Ability to manage day-to-day oversight of program processes, workflow and administration.
Demonstrate progressive supervisory qualities.

Responsibilities

Recruitment of new student admits into the New Directions Program, including substantial marketing efforts such as through community outreach, digital advertising, and social media strategies.
Curriculum Design to align with New Directions program goals of public, non-profit, and community leadership development.
Schedule program courses each semester such that program goals are advanced and students can make timely progress towards 2-3 years master’s degree completion.
Recruitment and mentoring of part-time lecturers in the New Directions program, with a goal to attract lecturers with professional experience in the fields of public, non-profit, and community leadership.
Advise students in terms of mapping their progress in the program, advancing their professional and educational goals, and completing their masters program.
Crafting, overseeing, and reporting on New Directions program budget, including regular reporting on revenues and expenditures.
Outreach and partnership development with local government jurisdictions, non-profit agencies, and labor organizations, and community groups to develop New Directions curricular opportunities, such as internship placement sites.
Pursuit of grant opportunities and/or funded internship partnerships to build financial strength of the program and funding support for students.