Executive Assistant & Strategic Operations Manager

Full Job Description

To apply, please go to: https://cu.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=39433

Join Our Team and Make a Difference in Higher Education!

At the System Administration office at the University of Colorado, we are dedicated to building a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Our office is committed to fostering a culture where employees find community, a sense of belonging, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to our mission and purpose.

By joining our team, you’ll have a direct impact on shaping the future of higher education.

In addition to the Office of the Board of Regents, the University of Colorado’s system administration includes 19 units that provide essential services to CU’s campuses in Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Denver, as well as the Office of the President.

While not a part of any one campus, we are proud to serve in the centralized office for the University system.

Together, we ensure CU continues to deliver outstanding education, groundbreaking research, and valuable service to our communities.

We believe in creating an environment where the unique experiences and perspectives of everyone are embraced, enriching the work we do and the strategic outcomes we pursue.

If you’re passionate about making a difference, contributing to a dynamic team, and supporting a mission that matters, we encourage you to apply and be part of our journey.

Learn more about CU System Administration.

Position Summary:

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.

Where You Will Work:

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.

Requirements

Duties and Responsibilities:

Executive & Administrative Support
• Provide comprehensive executive support to the Vice President and up to three Associate/Assistant Vice Presidents who make up the Advancement Leadership Team, including complex calendar management, multi-stakeholder correspondence and coordination, and travel and expense report support in a remote environment.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for senior-level internal and external partners, exercising discretion and professionalism.
• Draft and distribute executive-level correspondence and communications as requested.
• Manage the leadership team program plan and associated processes, integrating key workflows and initiatives into annual schedules for leadership, management, and staff meetings, proactively resolving conflicts and optimizing executive time.
• Act as a thought partner to executive leadership by organizing task lists, monitoring follow-up items, and ensuring accountability for critical initiatives.

Materials Creation & Executive Communications

• Draft meeting materials including PowerPoint presentations, Excel files, and Word documents as needed for the VP and leadership team.
• Use data from Advancement’s customer relationship management system (CU Ascend) and associated tools to create reports, spreadsheets, and correspondence on behalf of the Vice President for Advancement.
• Assist with internal and external communication and improve transparency by proactively identifying communications needs and sharing feedback from employees with VP and leadership team.
• Provide excellent, confidential communications support for the VP and leadership team as needed through all modalities – verbal, written, and online meetings – working closely with Advancement communications teams as appropriate.

Project Management & Executive Enablement
• Facilitate regular leadership planning, review, and strategy sessions, ensuring meetings are well-structured, focused, and outcome oriented.
• Track action items, results, and target dates; follow up with appropriate partners to support timely execution.
• Apply project management discipline, including planning, scope management, issue tracking, and communication.
• Serve as support to leadership by identifying risks, surfacing challenges, and proposing resolution options.
• Facilitate agendas and serve as host/emcee for staff meetings as appropriate, providing updates and ensuring clear communication.

Integrator & Cross-Functional Alignment Responsibilities
• Function as an integrator across senior leadership priorities, ensuring alignment between strategy, operations, communications, and execution.
• Translate executive direction into coordinated actions by clarifying priorities, sequencing work, and ensuring shared understanding across leaders and teams.
• Assess progress across leadership initiatives and interdependent projects, identifying gaps, overlaps or misalignment, and elevating issues for resolution.
• Facilitate coordination among executives, directors, and functional leaders to ensure decisions are implemented consistently and effectively.
• Reinforce accountability by following commitments made by leadership, supporting follow-through, and diplomatically handling when priorities drift.
• Serve as a stabilizing presence in a remote environment by maintaining structure, cadence, and continuity across leadership workflows.
• Support leadership decision-making by integrating information from multiple sources into clear summaries, recommendations, and next steps.

Process Improvement & Strategic Support
• In conjunction with the Director of Budget, Finance & Business Operations, support the Advancement strategic planning process, including development of annual planning materials, coordination of inputs, and progress tracking.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for Monday.com, supporting leadership and staff in project and plan tracking.
• Find opportunities to streamline processes, improve workflows, and leverage technology to increase efficiency.
• Exercise independent judgment in problem-solving and drive follow-up and resolution of issues arising from leadership discussions and executive meetings.
• Handle special projects and perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education, or equivalent professional experience (professional experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis).
• Six (6) years’ professional experience providing executive-level administrative and integrative support, including:
o Complex scheduling and meeting coordination
o Strategic cross-functional coordination and follow-through
o Project planning and execution
o Advanced use of Microsoft Office Suite
• Demonstrated experience in effective utilization of project management tools or workflow systems, such as Monday.com, to run projects efficiently and effectively in a remote environment.
• Experience supporting executives and/or leadership teams in a complex organization.

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:
• Solid understanding of executive support, organizational integration, and project management principles, tools, and standard methodologies.
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize nuanced information and present it clearly to leadership.
• Highly proficient to expert user of Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), with the ability to quickly learn new systems and technologies.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to handle multiple, concurrent priorities.
• Proven ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Ability to build positive working relationships across diverse teams and key partners while representing the Vice President and leadership team with professionalism.
• Capacity to perform effectively under pressure and adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to anticipate needs of senior leadership and proactively solve problems using sound judgment.

Additional Information

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please attach the following as separate documents to your application at https://cu.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=39433:

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

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)