Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Job Description - Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (41323)

Job Description

Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs - 41323

University Staff

Description

Position Details

University of Colorado | Denver

Official Title: Associate Vice Chancellor

Working Title: Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

FTE: Full-time

Salary Range: $200,000-$220,000

Position #00350581 - Requisition #41323

Join the University of Colorado Denver

About the University of Colorado Denver

Millions of moments start at CU Denver, a place where innovation, research, and learning meet in the heart of a global city. We're the state's premier public urban research university with more than 100 in-demand, top-ranked bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs. We partner with diverse learners-at any stage of their life and career-for transformative educational experiences. Across seven schools and colleges, our leading faculty inspires and works alongside students to solve complex challenges and produce impactful creative work. As part of the state's largest university system, CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy, with 2,000 employees and an annual economic impact of $665 million. To learn more about how CU Denver helps learners meet their moment, visit ucdenver.edu.

Job Description

• Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers*

The Associate Vice Chancellor (AVC) for Student Affairs provides strategic and visionary leadership for a comprehensive, student-centered approach to engagement, belonging, wellbeing, and success. The AVC establishes the vision, priorities, strategies, and organizational infrastructure necessary to create an exceptional student experience and ensure students have the support and resources they need to thrive.

As a key leader within the Division of Strategic Enrollment and Student Success (SESS), the AVC reports to the Vice Chancellor for Strategic Enrollment and Student Success and serves as a strategic partner to senior leaders across the university. The AVC leads student services and resources that promote personal development, student engagement, wellbeing, and a safe, welcoming, and inclusive campus community. Through these efforts, Student Affairs plays a critical role in advancing student persistence, retention, completion, and overall success.

The AVC will bring a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing today's higher education institutions, particularly those affecting an increasingly diverse student population. The AVC will use data, research, assessment, and student feedback to identify emerging needs, inform decisions, evaluate effectiveness, and address structural barriers that may impede student success. The AVC will also build strong relationships across academic and administrative units and with external partners to strengthen the university's capacity to serve students effectively.

The AVC will be a forward-thinking and entrepreneurial leader who anticipates the evolving needs of students and develops innovative approaches to the student experience. The AVC will strategically prioritize people, programs, technology, and financial resources to maximize student success and institutional impact. The position provides leadership for professional and student staff, has fiscal responsibility for the Student Affairs portfolio and its operating budgets, and leads organizational strategies that promote a high-performing, collaborative, and student-centered culture.

As a member of the SESS leadership team, the AVC serves as a campus-wide leader and strategic partner at the intersection of academics, enrollment, student success, wellbeing, and external engagement. The AVC will work across organizational boundaries to align resources, strengthen partnerships, remove barriers, and advance institutional priorities that enable every student to succeed.

Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

What you will do:

• Develop and lead a comprehensive Student Affairs strategy aligned with the university's mission, strategic plan, enrollment goals, and student success priorities. Translate institutional priorities into measurable goals, strategies, initiatives, and outcomes.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership, including the Senior Vice Chancellor for Strategic Enrollment and Student Success (SESS) and the SESS leadership team, on matters related to the student experience, engagement, campus climate, wellbeing, safety, and retention. Collaborate effectively with deans, Academic Affairs, and campus and external partners.
• Provide visionary leadership for the student experience, creating a welcoming, inclusive, engaging, and student-centered campus environment. Strengthen programs and services that advance belonging, community, leadership development, engagement, personal growth, wellbeing, and student success.
• Lead strategic planning, organizational development, and continuous improvement across the Student Affairs portfolio. Streamline functions, processes, practices, and technology to improve service delivery, operational effectiveness, student outcomes, and retention.
• Use data, research, assessment, and student feedback to identify emerging needs, evaluate programs and services, inform decision-making, and ensure student experiences meaningfully shape institutional policies and priorities. Promote a culture that recognizes students as partners in shaping the university experience.
• Lead a coordinated student success continuum that advances engagement, retention, wellbeing, and student success through collaboration across CU Denver, the tri-institutional community, AHEC, and external partners.
• Provide strategic leadership for student wellbeing, mental health, wellness, and conduct, working collaboratively across disciplines to strengthen a proactive campus wellness culture that supports student success.
• Lead and develop the Student Affairs leadership team, providing supervision, coaching, performance management, professional development, and support for six direct reports and the broader Student Affairs workforce. Foster a collaborative, supportive, high-performing workplace.
• Provide executive oversight of fiscal and administrative operations, including budget planning, resource allocation, business management, housing assets, contract services, negotiations, and procurement in accordance with university policies and procedures.
• Leverage internal and external resources and partnerships to strengthen the campus community, enhance the student experience, advance institutional priorities, and elevate the university's reputation.
• Travel as needed to support university, community, and professional responsibilities.

Qualifications you already possess (Minimum Qualifications)

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

• Earned Master's degree in higher education, educational leadership, business administration, public administration or a closely related field
• Eight (8) years of diverse and progressively responsible experience at the management level, including direct responsibility for student services and/or related services in higher education.
• Progressive responsibility and experience in supervising professional and administrative staff.
• Demonstrable experience in managing and working with complex budgets.

Preferred Qualification to possess (Preferred Qualifications)

• Earned doctorate
• Student Affairs and student success experience at a higher education institution that is a comprehensive urban campus.
• Documented experience in developing, implementing and evaluating unit budgets, goals and strategic planning.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of university student services and development programs, policies, and practices.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse teams and individuals and units on and off campus.\
• Demonstrated leadership, budget management and interpersonal skills.
• A leadership style that promotes collaboration and cooperation.
• Commitment to excellence, creativity and innovation.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and maintain interpersonal relationships within an ethnically and culturally diverse urban learning environment with a commitment to inclusion, diversity and respect.
• Documented experience in developing, implementing and evaluating unit goals and strategic planning.
• Computer proficiency including MS Office, social media and CRM experience.
• Ability to prioritize and perform multiple projects simultaneously.
• Eagerness to acquire new skills.
• Dependable, team-oriented and a self-starter.
• Ability to manage and coach team members and develop staff.
• Skilled record of accomplishment leading, supervising, evaluating, hiring and resolving staff performance problems.
• Ability to think strategically and aptitude for managing multiple tasks and priorities.
• Experience collaborating with multiple stakeholders.

Conditions of Employment

• Occasional work during the evening and/or weekends may be required.
• This position follows a hybrid work structure where employees can work remotely or from the office, as needed, based on demands of specific tasks or personal work preferences. Working from the office is encouraged when working on tasks that require a high degree of collaboration.

Mental, Physical, and/or Environmental Requirements

• This position may be performed in a hybrid environment, requiring the ability to work effectively in a remote setting. This includes maintaining a dedicated workspace free of excessive noise or distractions, reliable internet connectivity, and the ability to participate in virtual meetings for extended periods. Employees must be able to independently manage time, remain stationary for prolonged computer-based work, and transport necessary equipment (such as a laptop and peripherals) between their remote work location and the office as needed.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at workplaceengagement@ucdenver.edu.

Employment Sponsorship

Please be advised that this position is not eligible now or in the future for visa sponsorship.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established at $200,000 - $220,000.

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position is not eligible for overtime compensation. Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado Denver provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Benefits: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

Application Deadline

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Preference will be given to complete applications received by October 31st. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Required Application Materials:

To apply, please visit: http://www.cu.edu/cu-careers and attach:

• A cover letter which specifically addresses the job requirements and outlines qualifications
• A current CV/resume
• List of three references (we will notify you prior to contacting both on and off-list references)

Questions should be directed to Tyler Keyworth, tyler.keyworth@ucdenver.edu.

Background Check Policy

The University of Colorado Denver strives to maintain a safe and productive educational, clinical, research and employment environment. All prospective employees and current employees must, therefore, consent to and pass background checks prior to any final appointment/employment.

Special Instructions to Applicants: Required Application Materials: To apply, please visit: http://www.cu.edu/cu-careers and attach: A cover letter which specifically addresses the job requirements and outlines qualifications A current CV/resume List of three references (we will notify you prior to contacting both on and off-list references) Questions should be directed to Tyler Keyworth, tyler.keyworth@ucdenver.edu. Application Materials Required: Cover Letter, Resume/CV, List of References Application Materials Instructions: Application Deadline Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Preference will be given to complete applications received by October 31st. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Job Category

: Executive

Primary Location

: Denver

Department: U0001 -- Anschutz Med Campus or Denver - 30229 - VCSSLS-AVCSCE UnivAdv&StdEngag

Schedule

: Full-time

Posting Date

: Oct 9, 2026

Unposting Date

: Dec 1, 2026, 12:29:00 PM

Posting Contact Name: Tyler Keyworth

Posting Contact Email: tyler.keyworth@ucdenver.edu

Position Number: 00350581