Summary

Description

The Senior Director of Academic Pathways and Innovation oversees the design and implementation of student pathways to earning degrees and other postsecondary credentials within and among public institutions of higher education in Colorado and related innovations in academic programming, credentialing, and delivery systems. This position includes oversight for institutional- and program-level authorization and related consumer protection and advocacy functions for public and private degree granting institutions operating in Colorado. This position also collaborates with the Division chief on advancing legislative and policy-related efforts for the division, including developing departmental legislative and budget priorities and associated policies for the Commission on Higher Education.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

This position supervises three (3) employees: one (1) Academic Policy Officer and Advocate, one (1) Director of the Office of Private Postsecondary Education, and one (1) Director of Educator Pathways and Workforce Policy.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES

This is a senior management position responsible for providing the oversight, design and implementation of the student pathways to earning degree and other postsecondary credentials. Positions at this level are responsible for performing complex, specialized, and diverse work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibilities, which may include program evaluation, policies, procedures, goals, objectives, priorities. The position requires independent judgment and initiative in managing effective operations.

Description of Job

The duties listed below reflect the different types of work that may be performed. The omission of any specific duty will not prevent the assignment of work that is appropriately related to this position.

Provide administrative leadership for the Academic Pathways and Innovation team and collaborate with divisional and departmental colleagues to advance department goals
Promote collaboration among multiple stakeholders including two-year and four-year institutional partners, as well as workforce and P-12 sectors
Coordinate development and implementation of policies on credentialing, articulation and transfer, developmental education, and credit for prior learning across the state
Seek external funding and partnerships that promote innovation and scaling of promising practices in Colorado.
Identify opportunities and drive innovative practices in the design and delivery of degree and credential programs to enhance student learning and promote postsecondary attainment
Oversee the Office of Private Postsecondary Education and the authorization, approval, and monitoring of institutions and academic programs subject to specific statutory provisions and Commission authority
Assist in development of and advocacy for the Department’s legislative agenda and provide support to the legislative affairs team on bills related to academic affairs and student success
Oversee, implement, and revise Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) academic affairs policies as needed
Assists with writing reports to the General Assembly and other governmental bodies
Serve as department liaison to the Higher Learning Commission and other accrediting agencies, as well as federal agencies related to institutional authorization and academic integrity
Represent the Department on cross-agency committees and working groups, to regional and national higher education organizations, and in outreach to stakeholders and interest groups in Colorado
Review new degree program proposals, maintain the academic affairs database within SURDS (Student Unit Record Data System), and communicate with institutions regarding the status of programs

Key Stakeholder Groups

Facilitate statewide faculty conferences and other statewide convenings
Serve as liaison and primary staff support for the Colorado Faculty Advisory Council (CFAC)
Develop agendas and workplans and facilitate meetings of the General Education (GE) Council
Develop agendas and co-facilitate meetings of the Academic Council with the Chief Student Success & Academic Affairs Officer
Collaborate with other Divisional leads to develop agendas and facilitate meetings of the CCHE standing committee on Student Success & Academic Affairs and ad hoc committees and workgroups of the Commission

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:

Master’s degree from an accredited university or college in education, public administration, policy analysis or related area

Substitution: Six (6) years of experience in a related field can replace the education requirement of a master’s degree

Experience:

Five (5) plus years of experience in a college or university, state agency of education or higher education, school district, or related educational organization
Experience working closely with senior academic officers, leading teams, and supervising professional staff

Licenses and Certifications:

Valid Colorado driver’s license and compliance with all requirements for driving a state vehicle are required throughout the term of employment

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Doctoral degree from an accredited university or college in education, public administration, policy analysis or related area

Knowledge of:

Standard office practices, procedures, software and equipment, including the use of personal computers, telephones, Zoom, and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Power Point, Outlook, and Teams)
State statutes, rules and regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines
Academic polices and education best practices
State fiscal rules and policies related to financial management

Ability to:

Work effectively in both independent and team situations
Manage sensitive issues and confidential information
Think critically and apply reasoning and analysis
Take the initiative to solve problems in an innovative manner
Communicate effectively, both written and verbally
Employ attention to technical detail and accuracy
Establish and maintain relationships with {internal/external} stakeholders
Analytical methods and techniques used in higher education finance or financial aid
Supervise and manage staff effectively

Physical and Mental Standards (Hybrid Setting)

The physical and mental standards described here are representative of those that must typically be met by employees to perform the essential functions of this class successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Frequently sit at a desk for extended periods of time
Frequently walk and stand
Occasionally may push or pull an object
Frequently use finger dexterity and operate a keyboard
Regularly lift 10 pounds and occasionally lift 25 pounds
Frequently use vision to read documents, view computer screens, and see close and distant objects
Frequently use speech and hearing to engage in conversation, in person, and over the telephone

Supplemental Information

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS

The employee typically works in a standard office environment where the noise level is moderate, and the office has controlled temperatures. Works a 40-hour work week, either remotely, hybrid, or in-office, depending on the arrangement met during employment with the supervisor during normal office hours of Monday– Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Job duties may occasionally require working extended hours or hours outside of the regular schedule.
The position may require periodic in-state and out-of-state travel requiring occasional overnight stays. The position requires the ability to travel independently through the state including overnight stays.

NOTICE

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. The duties, expectations, and actions listed for this role may change at any time with or without notice.

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

The Colorado Department of Higher Education is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our Human Resource Director at HR@dhe.state.co.us or call 720.264.8575.