Wolzien News Deserts Initiatives Manager

The College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) is the University of Denver’s largest and most varied academic unit. It is comprised of artists, learners, performers, scholars, scientists, and teachers that acts as a central hub where many of the University's disciplines intersect. Nearly all undergraduates at the University take liberal arts courses with us, and about one-third of these students declare their first major in a CAHSS program. Half of our departments, programs and schools offer Masters or Doctoral programs. The broad scope of CAHSS allows our students to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed at nearly any career in today’s global society.

The Department of Media, Film and Journalism Studies (MFJS) in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Denver offers students a robust understanding of the role of the media in contemporary society.  With its emphasis on developing strong communication skills across various platforms and its grounding in the critical evaluation of media practices, the department’s offerings prepare students for the pursuit of excellence in the constantly evolving media, film, strategic communication, and journalism professions.  The Department offers undergraduates degrees in film studies and production, journalism studies, media studies, and strategic communication (public relations).  At the graduate level, the Department offers a Master of Arts in media and public communication (strategic communication or media and globalization emphasis) and a Master of Arts in international and intercultural communication.

Position Summary

The Wolzien News Deserts Initiatives Manager will organize efforts to address structural challenges facing Colorado’s news deserts, as well as serve as DU’s primary liaison to local news outlets statewide. This position will also coordinate DU’s outreach to high school journalists across Colorado. Additionally, the manager will support DU’s long-term enrollment strategy by positioning journalism and media studies as a pathway to civic leadership and media careers and strengthening DU’s reputation as a civic and journalistic anchor institution in Colorado.

This is a fully philanthropically supported position with guaranteed funding for six years. Continuation of the position beyond that is dependent on continued funding.

Essential Functions

• Collaborate with news outlets to diagnose gaps and challenges in daily news coverage and help develop coordinating systems (i.e., assignment processes, beat structures, and community distribution strategies) that connect student talent to these essential but underserved information needs, with an emphasis on geographically dispersed communities.
• Lead DU’s outreach to high school journalists across Colorado in partnership with the Colorado Student Media Association and implement efficient, high-impact engagement strategies such as campus events, workshops, J-Day conference participation, summer or weekend programming.
• In collaboration with the department’s Director of Internships, help coordinate journalism internships, applied projects, workforce development opportunities, and community engagement.
• Pursue grant opportunities for journalism initiatives in Colorado in conjunction with the Office of Sponsored Research and Projects and Department Chair.
• Assist in recruiting working professionals in the field who are using industry leading technology and techniques to serve as adjunct instructors to ensure DU students are career ready upon graduation.
• Design and implement the annual Wolzien Journalism Symposium of local and national journalists to discuss practical ways to advance the role of journalism in a democracy. This dynamic symposium will bring together scholars, industry professionals, and students to explore emerging trends in local journalism.
• Assist the Chair of MFJS with selecting the winner of the Wolzien News Desert Award.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Deep connection to Colorado journalism and/or the media industry.
• National experience and an understanding of technical and conceptual issues facing the media industry and local outfits.
• Ability to recruit highly skilled practitioners to teach as adjuncts in the department.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with students, colleagues, and community partners from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
• Strong project and workflow management skills, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent deadlines, maintain systems, and drive to result.
• Collaborative approach and collation building orientation.
• Willingness to learn new tools and systems quickly and to share knowledge with colleagues.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in media, journalism, communication, or related field.
• Four to six (4-6) years of experience in Colorado journalism and/or the media industry.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in media, journalism, communication, or related field.
• Six plus (6+) years of experience in Colorado journalism and/or the media industry.

Working Environment

• Standard office environment.
• Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

• Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period.
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs. with assistance.

Work Schedule

• Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Occasional night and evening hours may be required to support initiatives or programs.
• The position will be fully in-person for six months, after which time a hybrid schedule may be considered pursuant to the college’s flexible work policy.

Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST)  August 1, 2026.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 8.

Salary Rate: 
The salary rate for this position is $58,500.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.