Job Details

Associate Director, Debate Across Curriculum

Position Number: 7000005
Location: Denver, CO
Position Type: Communications - Media & Communication Studies

Associate Director, Debate Across Curriculum

Job No: 498642
Work Type: Staff Full-Time
Location: Denver, CO
Categories: Business Operations / Services, Admin / Executive / Office Support, Academic Administration

The University of Denver is a leading university in the Rocky Mountain region and is classified as an R1: Doctoral/Research University, with very high research activity. The university serves approximately 12,000 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs.

The Debate Across the Curriculum Program is a campus-wide pedagogical initiative housed within the Chancellor's Office and located in the new National Academy for Freedom of Expression and Pluralism at the University of Denver. The Debate Across the Curriculum Program provides faculty the opportunity to include expert-facilitated, non-competitive debates in their classrooms, with debate topics expressly formulated to enhance active learning of the particular issues addressed in the course. The program is designed-and has been proven-to foster students' willingness and capacity to engage peers across lines of difference and disagreement as a means of empowering them to engage in civic discourse on campus and beyond (for more information on the Debate Across the Curriculum Program see https://www.du.edu/news/students-find-voice-great-debate ).

Position Summary

The Associate Director will report to the Director and assist all aspects of the administration of the program. The Associate Director will also work with the Director and other DU faculty and staff to plan and host public debates on the DU campus on matters of public concern.

Essential Functions

Recruit faculty to participate in the program.
Work directly with interested faculty in scheduling and designing classroom debates.
Facilitate classroom debates.
Conduct research on program effectiveness.
Design pedagogically sound models of classroom debates.
Collaborate with the Director and other program staff to publish research findings.
Create materials on the program for internal and external audiences.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

A sophisticated understanding of debate and public deliberation pedagogy.
Excellent facilitation skills.
The willingness and ability to collaborate with faculty across disciplines.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
The willingness and ability to work in a high-functioning team environment.
Demonstrated commitment to inclusive excellence, equity, and access in education.

Required Qualifications

M.A. in Communication Studies or related field.
2-4 years related experience
Experience in planning and facilitating public debates and/or deliberations on matters of public interest.
Record of publication in debate and/or public deliberation pedagogy.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in coaching and administrating intercollegiate debate programs.
Experience in conducting evaluation research.
Prior project management experience.

Working Environment

Standard office environment.
Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

Ability to work in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
Occasionally required to move about the office/campus.

Work Schedule
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Schedule may differ with class schedules.

Application Deadline

For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) April 1, 2026.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 13.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $90,000-$95,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate's sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University's educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non-Discrimination-Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.

To apply, visit https://jobs.du.edu/en-us/job/498642