Job Details

Assistant Director

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Position Number: 6390621
Location: Denver, CO
Position Type: Occupational and Environmental Safety

Assistant Director

University of Colorado Denver

Assistant Director-37256

University Staff

Description

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 Office of University Risk Management is responsible for affirmative control and minimization of risk, promoting a strong proactive loss prevention program, and using aggressive leading edge concepts to insure the safety of students, employees and others as well as protecting the assets and income of each system campus.

The Assistant Director must collaborate across various university offices, departments, and affiliated institutions. This position engages with leadership teams across multiple campuses, each with unique risk management needs and priorities, requiring tailored approaches that align with institutional strategy and governance structures. The Assistant Director will support risk management projects and inquiries as delegated by the Director of CU Denver and CU Anschutz Operations, with responsibilities adjusted based on experience and competency. This role involves working with a broad network of campus partners, supporting various campus locations, located in Denver, Aurora and Colorado Springs including the CU Systems office located in Denver, as needed.

This position reports to the Director of CU Denver and CU Anschutz Operations and is exempt from the State of Colorado Classified Staff System.

Where You Will Work:

Onsite - this role is expected to work in the office. This position is expected to travel to the CU Campuses as needed.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

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.

Duties & Responsibilities:

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

Support and collaborate with the URM Director(s) as needed.
Assist with overseeing, facilitating, and developing services to control and minimize risks across campuses and operations.
Engage and collaborate with University Risk Management staff to proactively develop processes, drive strategic decisions, and implement programs and policies that support the university's strategy for managing asset and income loss control, loss protection, and risk financing.
Engage and collaborate with the University Risk Management Directors to proactively develop, update, and implement the University-wide Risk Management Standards and other special projects that arise.
Support or lead risk management projects and inquiries, which may include analyzing and providing risk management guidance and recommendations related to:
- Risk assessments for higher risk activities and effectively communicating risk mitigation strategies
- Film and video requests, including those with UAV use and location agreements
- Evaluation and assessment of events with alcohol
- Minor activities - including tours, short-term or long-term visits, and all-year-round camps
- Volunteer, Observer, Shadows, Internships and Trainee initiatives
- Fine arts loan agreements
- Facility use agreements
- Events on and off campus
- Animals on-campus activities
- Student Life activities
- Healthcare, life sciences, research operations, coverage, and loss control process support
Analyze and provide appropriate risk management recommendations on contracts and agreements related to insurance requirements, indemnification clauses, and other risk transfer techniques, including, but not limited to, legal counsel contracts, memorandums of understanding, affiliation agreements, procurement contracting, construction, special events, fine arts, grants, product development, clinical trial agreements, research agreements, leases, property transfers, professional services agreements, international provider agreements, and other insurable risks.
Analyze third-party contractor certificates of insurance to ensure they meet the required limits and coverage specified by university standard insurance requirements, contract terms, and the scope of work
Review and offer informed risk management strategies to campus partners.
Review and process internal and external certificates of insurance requests promptly.
Support the annual campus certificate of the insurance renewal process.
Facilitates, coordinates, and engages with Campus partners to participate in insurance carrier loss control and property visits; analyzes and provides loss prevention recommendations to enhance the resilience and protection of campus assets effectively.
Engage and collaborate with campus partners to gather insurance underwriting data, assess new risk exposure requests, and prepare submissions for the insurance broker.
Support international and domestic travel policies, collaborating with campus departments, the campus international risk management committee, and the CU Systems travel office.
Participate in strategizing and creating new policies, promoting risk management techniques, and advising on foreign insurance policies.
Assists with risk identification, risk assessment, loss control, and risk transfer related to life sciences, clinical trials, and bench research.
Engage and collaborate with internal and external partners to create informative and engaging risk management presentations and training sessions tailored to the needs of different campus partners and deliver effectively and confidently; clearly outline action items and proactively provide additional resources and follow-up materials as needed.
Engage and collaborate with various partners to provide risk management guidance and expertise regarding campus disaster planning and emergency preparedness activities; assist with and update Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) resources.
Engage and collaborate with various campus partners, including Campus Leadership, Information Security and IT Compliance, Facilities Management, Health and Public Safety, University Counsel, Student Life, Educational Outreach & Pathway Initiatives, International Affairs, Parking and Transportation, Events, Human Resources, Environmental Health and Safety, and multiple Schools/Colleges units.
Coordinate and collaborate with University Risk Management System staff to provide services needed for Campus operations, such as claims administration, participation in claims site visits, and generation of loss reports.
Proactively identify and implement innovative risk management strategies to enhance the campus's overall risk profile.
Independently research, propose, support, and lead initiatives, ensuring they align with the University and Campus strategic goals.
Participate in professional development or continuing education to enhance expertise in specialized areas of risk management and insurance.
Performs other duties and projects, as assigned.

What We Offer:

Salary: The anticipated hiring range has been established at $122,500 - $132,500

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)

Qualifications:

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.

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education in business, risk management, safety or related field, or equivalent professional experience (professional experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis).
Five (5) years of full-time professional experience in risk management, safety, health, or property & casualty industry-related position.
Two (2) years of leadership experience, which may be in a managerial or supervisory role, or project management experience supporting or leading projects and initiatives, professional development and leadership training, and collaboration with high-level leadership.

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor's or post-baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education in the field of business, risk management, safety, or a related field
Eight (8) years of professional experience in risk management, safety, health, and/or property & casualty industry-related position with demonstrated supervisory responsibilities.
Three (3) years of leadership experience, which may be in a managerial or supervisory role, experience supporting/leading projects and large initiatives, professional development and leadership training, and/or project management skills and working with high-level leadership
Professional experience in higher education and/or Colorado public entity risk management.
Professional experience in healthcare or health sciences, research education.
Leadership experience and management ability in a complex organization.
Professional designation of CIC, ARM, CRM, CPCU, or other like designations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

To be successful in this position, employees will need to know the following:

Ability to learn and understand CU's business and organizational structure and the individual Campus operations.
Ability to read and correctly interpret commercial insurance policies considering the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act.
Knowledge of contractual concepts, terms, and conditions.
Ability to critically analyze contractual risks and consequences during fast-paced negotiations.
Collaboration and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work with others from different areas and backgrounds to reach a common goal and facilitate interaction, communication, and teamwork between others.
Oral, written, and listening communication skills, including the ability to accurately interpret what others are saying and convey messages, information, concepts, and details accurately and clearly.
Organizational skills, including setting and meeting goals and deadlines, managing appointments, creating schedules, coordinating and facilitating meetings, and making decisions.
Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple concurrent and competing tasks and responsibilities, and adapt to changing priorities while maintaining personal effectiveness.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and reliable, professional judgment and collaboratively with a team to achieve the desired results.
Ability to maintain a strong work ethic, positive problem-solving attitude, and enthusiasm for the work performed.

How to Apply:

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.

When to Apply:

For full consideration completed applications must be submitted bySunday, August 3rd, 2025. Reference checking is a standard step in our hiring process. You may be asked to provide contact information, including email addresses, for up to five references as part of the search process for this position. *Please note: All application materials must be submitted through CU Careers; emailed materials will not be considered.*

Sponsorship Statement:

We are unable to sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial history, motor vehicle history and/or fingerprinting background check. The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that a verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of the third day of work. The University of Colorado is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment.

ADA Statement:

We are committed to an inclusive and barrier-free search process. We provide accommodations for applicants requesting accommodation through the search process such as alternative formats of this posting. Individuals with disabilities in need of accommodations throughout the search process should contact the ADA Coordinator at: systemhr@cu.edu.

Special Instructions to Applicants:Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) Continued: Ability to establish and maintain partnerships with various internal and external constituencies. Research skills, including using various tools to ask questions, gather information, analyze, and interpret data. Project management skills, including the ability to organize data and materials, research various internal and external resources to solve problems, negotiate with others to reach a common objective, communicate information and changes, adapt to shifting priorities, manage conflict, and meet deadlines. Ability to facilitate communication and work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and ages. Negotiation skills, including the ability to listen, build rapport, solve problems, make decisions, and manage difficult situations. Ability to demonstrate and maintain ethical behavior in complicated and convoluted situations. Ability to deliver a high level of commitment to customer service.Proactive problem-solving skills; ability to identify process improvement opportunities, develop strategic plans, and implement solutions that enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to examine and summarize data and trends to resolve issues and produce results; Advanced technological skills, including the ability to use Microsoft Office programs (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.) and learn and experiment with new software, systems, and social media. Creative skills, including the ability to ask questions, generate new ideas, experiment, make observations, and develop connections between disparate concepts; Strong presentation skills; designing engaging and informative content, delivering clearly and confidently to diverse audiences. Customer service skills, including the ability to actively listen, address customer needs, defuse tense situations, and maintain an open, flexible, and friendly demeanor.

Application Materials Required: Cover Letter, Resume/CV

Job Category: Business Services

Primary Location: Denver

Department: S0001 -- System Administration - 50058 - Risk Management

Schedule: Full-time

Posting Date: Jul 15, 2025

Unposting Date: Ongoing

Posting Contact Name: System HR Recruiting

Posting Contact Email: Systemhr.recruiting@cu.edu

Position Number: 00709708

To apply, please visit: https://cu.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=37256&lang=en