Job Details

Program Manager for Sustainability Classifications and Recognition Initiatives

Position Number: 6993514
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Assessment, Accreditation, and Compliance

Program Manager for Sustainability Classifications and Recognition Initiatives

Requisition Number: 70563
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: University Staff
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 23-Mar-2026
Date Posted:

Job Summary

The University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) seeks a highly organized, self-directed Program Manager to support the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Sustainability (OVCS) in advancing institutional sustainability leadership in higher education. This position plays a critical role in the administration, coordination, and continuous improvement of sustainability classification and recognition initiatives-most notably the Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability, an emerging national framework recognizing institutional commitment and leadership in sustainability and climate action.
The Carnegie Classification has served as the leading framework for recognizing and describing institutional diversity in U.S. higher education, and is widely used in research, policy analysis, and institutional benchmarking. The Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability builds on this legacy by creating a rigorous, inclusive, and nationally recognized system for assessing and advancing sustainability and climate action across colleges and universities. CU Boulder, in partnership with the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education, hosts and supports the development of this new elective classification. The Program Manager will provide operational leadership, collaborator coordination, and administrative support to ensure the integrity, scalability, and impact of the classification.
This role is ideal for a thorough professional who thrives in both independent and team-based environments and has a strong interest in sustainability, institutional improvement, and systems-based solutions across higher education.
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.

Who We Are

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Sustainability manages a campus-wide sustainability portfolio by coordinating strategic alliances and research partnerships, championing academic collaborations and student sustainability activities, advising on campus operations and the implementation of the CU Boulder Climate Action Plan, integrating the best research practices and Indigenous knowledge into campus planning and design, and playing a lead role in sustainability-related communications, events, and fundraising priorities.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Carnegie Elective Classification for SustainabilityFramework Development

Help coordinate and manage relationships with the Carnegie Foundation and American Council on Education to advance the Sustainability Elective Classification.
Assist in developing the operational and administrative infrastructure required to support broad institutional participation, and the design of indicators, review criteria, and evaluation procedures.
Support efforts to ensure the framework is accessible and adaptable to a wide range of institutions, including Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), community colleges, rural institutions, and under-resourced campuses.

Program Management

Run logistics for applicant cohort participation, including application guidance, timelines, and communications.
Assist the implementation, refinement, and documentation of the Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability framework and review guidance, maintaining a transparent, tiered peer-review process with clear documentation standards.
Coordinate review processes, including reviewer recruitment, training, evaluation workflows, and the development and distribution of individualized institutional feedback reports.

Training, Outreach, and Engagement

Support the development and execution of communications strategies, including workshops, webinars, convenings, website content, and outreach materials to build awareness, shared understanding, and momentum around the Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability across higher education institutions.
Assist in coordinating capacity-building events and training sessions for participating institutions and campus partners.
Support collaboration with higher education associations, sustainability networks, and complementary frameworks (e.g., AASHE STARS, UN Sustainable Development Goals).

Continuous Improvement and Reporting

Incorporate feedback, research findings, and collaborator input into framework updates and evaluation tools for future classification cycles.
Track program performance metrics, institutional data and analysis for benchmarking and continuous improvement.
Prepare regular reports, summaries, and briefing materials to support program evaluation, accountability, and future development.

Strategic Leadership Support

Partner with OVCS leadership to coordinate a coherent, campus-wide sustainability portfolio, including supporting strategy development, academic collaborations, student engagement, and operational initiatives.
Assist in building and maintaining external partnerships with universities, government agencies, NGOs, corporations, foundations, and multilateral organizations.
Provide project management for strategic initiatives that position CU Boulder as a hub for sustainability research, education, operations and community engagement.
Generate key performance indicators and track and report progress toward sustainability goals and initiatives.

Operational Excellence

Assist in advancing campus sustainability operations, including energy, water, transportation, waste reduction, and supply chain management initiatives.
Support the integration of Indigenous knowledge and multicultural perspectives into sustainability planning, operations, and education.
Help develop, track, and refine sustainability metrics and reporting systems for the CU Boulder campus.

Communications, Fundraising & Outreach

Work with CU Boulder communications teams to lead events, campaigns, and materials that raise visibility for sustainability leadership.
Support Advancement staff in pursuing philanthropic and grant funding opportunities for sustainability initiatives.
Draft reports, presentations, talking points, and other materials for executive leadership.

What You Should Know

This position is expected to work in a hybrid format with some in-person and some remote work as prioritized by the business needs of the office.
This position is expected to work during traditional business hours (8:00am-5:00pm), with occasional requests for evening and/or weekend event staffing.

What We Can Offer

The annual hiring range for this full-time position is $82,000-$92,000. Relocation funds are available for eligible candidates.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be creative. Be impactful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Bachelor's degree in sustainability, education, environmental studies, public administration, project management, or a related field.
5+ years of experience managing complex projects and strategy development, preferably in higher education, sustainability, or public policy settings.

What You Will Need

Strategic thinking with the ability to shape strategy, develop vision, and translate big-picture goals into actionable projects.
Strategy creation and synthesis skills and the ability to develop decks and briefs that shape compelling and cogent high-level initiatives.
Research skills to benchmark against peer institutions and inventory campus level activities.
Relationship-building and diplomacy across a broad range of internal and external collaborators.
Analytical skills to track progress against sustainability and climate goals.
Flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
Passion for sustainability, climate resilience, and social equity.
Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple initiatives simultaneously.
Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment that integrates Indigenous and multicultural perspectives into sustainability work.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing reports and facilitation materials and executive-level materials.
Demonstrated ability to lead complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives with strong attention to detail.
Ability to thrive independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative team environment.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

A current resume.
A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.

We may request references at a later time. Please apply by March 23, 2026 for consideration. Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Program-Manager-for-Sustainability-Classifications-and-Recognition-Initiatives/70563