Position Details

University of Colorado | Denver

Official Title: Associate Vice Chancellor

Working Title: Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Planning and Partnerships

FTE: Full-time

Salary Range: $200,000 to $220,000



Open to CU Denver employees only

Job Description

* Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers *

The Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (AVCAA) is a senior academic leader and a member of the Provost's Leadership Team. Reporting to the Provost, this position provides strategic leadership for academic planning, accreditation, program development and review, curricular support and innovation, assessment, and academic partnerships.

The AVCAA plays a central role in aligning academic programs and initiatives with CU Denver's mission as a public, urban serving, equity focused research university. The position serves as a key liaison to the CU System Office, the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE), and external academic partners, ensuring institutional compliance, strategic alignment, and responsiveness to state, system, and workforce needs.

In addition, the AVCAA oversees Honors & Leadership, Undergraduate Research & Creative Activity, institutional assessment, and the development and stewardship of CU Denver's lifelong learning strategy, fostering innovative pathways for learners across all stages of education and career.

Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

What you will do:

Academic Strategy, Planning, and Portfolio Management
• Provide institutional leadership for academic planning, program development, and portfolio strategy, ensuring alignment with university priorities, student demand, workforce needs, and the evolving higher education landscape.
• Lead university-wide processes for the development, review, modification, and discontinuation of academic programs in partnership with deans, faculty governance, and academic leadership.
• Lead academic program review and use institutional data and evidence to identify opportunities for investment, innovation, improvement, consolidation, and renewal.
• Advise the Provost and academic leaders on academic portfolio priorities, emerging opportunities, and resource implications.

Academic Quality, Accreditation, and Regulatory Affair
• Serve as the university's senior leader for institutional accreditation and academic quality assurance and as CU Denver's Accreditation Liaison Officer to the Higher Learning Commission.
• Provide institutional leadership for accreditation reviews, academic assessment, program review, and continuous improvement, ensuring these activities function as an integrated system for academic quality.
• Oversee institutional compliance and coordination related to academic requirements of the CU System, Colorado Department of Higher Education, accrediting bodies, and applicable state and federal agencies.
• Advise the Provost and academic leadership on emerging accreditation, regulatory, and policy developments affecting the university's academic mission.

Curriculum, Assessment, and Academic Innovation
• Provide strategic leadership for university-wide curricular policy and processes, working with faculty governance and academic units to ensure academic quality, coherence, and effective decision-making.
• Advance curricular innovation, including interdisciplinary programs, new educational models, certificates and stackable credentials, and academic offerings responsive to emerging fields and learner needs.
• Provide executive oversight for institutional assessment of student learning and academic effectiveness, ensuring that assessment informs curricular improvement, program review, accreditation, and academic planning.
• Champion innovative academic pathways and educational models that strengthen student learning, access, flexibility, and success.

Honors, Undergraduate Research, and Academic Enrichment
• Provide executive leadership for Honors & Leadership and university-wide Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities, positioning these areas as important components of CU Denver's academic strategy and student experience.
• Advance high-impact educational practices, interdisciplinary learning, faculty-student engagement, and opportunities for undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative work.
• Leverage Honors & Leadership and Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities as catalysts for curricular and pedagogical innovation across the university.

Academic Partnerships, Pathways, and Lifelong Learning
• Provide strategic leadership for academic partnerships and CU Denver's lifelong-learning strategy, expanding educational pathways across the learner continuum.
• Develop and advance strategic academic partnerships with other CU campuses, educational institutions, government, industry, and community organizations.
• Champion transfer and degree-completion pathways, collaborative programs, stackable credentials, professional and continuing education, and other models responsive to changing learner and workforce needs.
• Identify opportunities for new educational partnerships and delivery models that advance CU Denver's academic mission, reach, and impact.

Qualifications you already possess (Minimum Qualifications)

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.
• Earned doctorate from an accredited institution.
• At least five years of progressively responsible leadership experience in higher education, with significant responsibility in academic affairs, academic planning, accreditation, assessment, or program administration.
• Demonstrated experience with accreditation and academic program review.

Preferred Qualification to possess (Preferred Qualifications)
• Experience at a public research university..
• Direct experience working with state higher education agencies and/or system offices.
• Demonstrated leadership in curricular innovation and interdisciplinary academic initiatives.
• Experience overseeing academic units or programs (e.g., Honors, assessment, academic centers).
• Experience developing or leading lifelong learning, transfer, or partnership based academic strategies.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Deep understanding of academic governance, accreditation, and curriculum processes.
• Ability to integrate strategic planning with operational execution.
• Strong collaboration and relationship building skills across internal and external stakeholders.
• Commitment to equity, access, and student centered academic design.
• Ability to manage complex initiatives and competing priorities.
• Commitment to data informed and evidence based decision making.
• Proven ability to work effectively with faculty, academic leaders, and shared governance bodies.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

Conditions of Employment
• Occasional work during the evening and/or weekends may be required.
• This position follows a hybrid work structure where employees can work remotely or from the office, as needed, based on demands of specific tasks or personal work preferences. Working from the office is encouraged when working on tasks that require a high degree of collaboration.

Mental, Physical, and/or Environmental Requirements
• This position may be performed in a hybrid or remote environment, requiring the ability to work effectively in a remote setting. This includes maintaining a dedicated workspace free of excessive noise or distractions, reliable internet connectivity, and the ability to participate in virtual meetings for extended periods. Employees must be able to independently manage time, remain stationary for prolonged computer-based work, and transport necessary equipment (such as a laptop and peripherals) between their remote work location and the office as needed.

Employment Sponsorship

Please be advised that this position is not eligible now or in the future for visa sponsorship.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established at $200,000 - $220,000.

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

This position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado Denver provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Benefits: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefit

Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

Application Deadline

Open to CU Denver employees only - deadline 9/17/2026

Required Application Materials:

To apply, please visit: http://www.cu.edu/cu-careers and attach:
• A cover letter which specifically addresses the job requirements and outlines qualification
• A current CV/resume
• List of three references (we will notify you prior to contacting both on and off-list references)

Questions should be directed to Tyler Keyworth, [email protected]

Background Check Policy

The University of Colorado Denver strives to maintain a safe and productive educational, clinical, research and employment environment. All prospective employees and current employees must, therefore, consent to and pass background checks prior to any final appointment/employment.