Executive Assistant & Strategic Operations Manager

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.

Applicants must be Colorado residents or able to relocate to Colorado within a month of starting employment with University of Colorado System Administration.

The CU System Office of Advancement follows a “flexibility first” approach that blends a highly hybrid work environment (part work from home, part in office) with planned in-office work to facilitate collaboration, strategic planning, and teaming. This model currently includes two (2) required callback weeks annually — when all our colleagues are expected to be together in the office. Plus up to two (2) additional in-person meeting weeks each year as determined by the supervisor.

In addition, other in-office days are defined by business need for each position. For this specific role, two to three additional days are required in the office each month. Any additional in-office time will be determined by this position’s manager. This role is expected to work from the CU System office at 1800 Grant St. in Denver, Colorado, during in-office work time.

Please note, leadership may adjust in-office work requirements with a minimum of three months' notice before any change can be implemented.

Duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

Materials Creation & Executive Communications

Salary: The anticipated hiring range has been established at $85,000-$95,000.

CU System Administration takes into consideration a combination of the selected candidate’s education, training and experience as it relates to the position, as well as the position’s scope and complexity, internal pay equity and external market value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.

Benefits: With our unparalleled range of benefits, including top-notch healthcare, comprehensive wellness programs, enriching professional development, and a dynamic work-life balance, we ensure your holistic growth and happiness.

• 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% 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.

Additional taxable fringe benefits may be available.

For more information on benefits programs, please review our Comprehensive Benefits Guide.

Access our Total Compensation Calculator to see what your total rewards could be at CU. (This position is a University Staff position)

Minimum Qualifications:

Please ensure your resume includes any and all relevant experience to be accurately assessed against these qualifications. You must meet all minimum requirements listed at the time of application to be considered for this role.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

For full consideration, please attach the following as separate documents to your application:

• A cover letter identifying the job specific minimum qualifications you possess
• A resume including any and all relevant experience to be accurately assessed against the qualifications listed in the posting.

Please ensure you check the “Job Specific Attachments” box next to each document on the “Required Documents” page of the application for the appropriate documents to be attached.

Per the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, you are not required to provide your date of birth, dates of school attendance, or dates of graduation on your resume or cover letter. If an application requires additional materials, such as a transcript or certification, you may redact identifying information relating to your date or birth, dates of school attendance, or dates of graduation.