Vice President of Planning and Chief of Staff

Colorado Mountain College   Glenwood Springs, CO   Full-time     Professional
Posted on September 11, 2024
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Job Description: Primary Responsibility Supervisory/Management Manage the Department of Strategic Initiatives, which includes various externally funded programs, grants development and management. Assist with outreach and grant development with extramural funders. With the college president, supervise the college’s legislative liaison (lobbyist) and strategy-focused contractors hired on behalf of the President’s office. Supervise the Executive Communications and Special Projects Coordinator. With the college president, the incumbent will supervise, advise, and coordinate the college’s legislative and government relations efforts. This includes staffing the Board’s government relations committee and coordinating timely communications with the college’s legislative liaison, state and federal agencies, the Board of Trustees and executive advisory boards. Supervise executive assistants with the college president in coordinating the president’s calendar, participation in events and conferences, and communications from the executive office. Operational Develop quarterly and annual reporting on assigned projects and initiatives, including relevant national, local, and campus-wide trends and needs for identified university populations. Oversee the daily operations of the President’s office, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness, and manage the President’s schedule, correspondence, and communication. Lead and manage special projects and initiatives as directed by the President, including developing project plans, establish timelines, and track progress to ensure successful project completion. Coordinate and organize meetings of the Board of Trustees, the President’s Advisory Committee, College Council, and special events hosted by or on behalf of the President’s Office or the Board of Trustees. Prepare agendas and assemble materials, presentations, and speakers for Board meetings and special events hosted by or on behalf of the President’s Office or the Board of Trustees. Manage cyclical practices considering the fiscal year, academic year, district-wide events and seasonal events. Contribute to and help sustain equity initiatives and employee appreciation practices. Identify, analyze, and resolve situations that impact the institution. Proactively address issues and conflicts in alignment with college policy.

Advisory/Interpersonal Relationships: Serve as a key advisor to the president on institutional matters, providing insights and recommendations, including preparing briefing materials, reports, and presentations for the president, as appropriate. Serve as an advisor to other campus leaders, keeping them informed of changing context and emerging issues that could affect the college’s mission, and reputation, or impact the success of the implementation of institutional initiatives and projects. Partner and develop strong relationships with key community groups and leaders on issues relevant to presidential initiatives. Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, and external partners. Engagement/Communications Develop a deep understanding of the multiple internal and external audiences of presidential communication and messaging. With the advancement team or consultants/lobbyists, coordinate and execute strategic engagement efforts on behalf of the President’s Office. Lead proactive strategies to inform and engage campus constituents. Facilitate communication and collaboration among stakeholders. This includes soliciting input and analyzing feedback. Coordinate with the Executive Communications and Special Projects Coordinator on the preparation of executive-level presentations, summaries, reports, briefings, talking points, and other communications for the President. Represent and speak on behalf of the President at internal and external meetings, as required.

Pre-requisites for Position (Qualifications) Education and experience sufficient for the rigors of the position required. Qualifications should include a minimum of 5-7 years of experience in higher education administration, strategic planning, project implementation, or related experiences with progressive leadership responsibilities. Advanced degree in a field aligned with the requirements of the position, such as higher education, business administration, public administration, or law, is desirable. Proven track record of successfully managing complex projects and initiatives, including implementation and evaluation, while remaining focused on organizational priorities in a fast-paced and team-based environment. Demonstrated commitment to the college’s strategic principles, including its commitments to equity, care, innovation, and integrity. Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, including the ability to engage and reach unified solutions with a variety of stakeholders with varied opinions. Sound professional judgement and unwavering commitment to ethical conduct, discretion, and ability to handle confidential information. Direct experience in public policy, legislative affairs, organizational governance and institutional operations strongly preferred. Demonstrated understanding of the social, political, and financial environment surrounding Colorado Mountain College and its district highly desirable. Welcoming. Innovative. Focused on Student Success. These principles reflect the soul of CMC. They guide us in building our teams, cultivating leaders, and expanding our approaches and mindset. They guide us to be an institution of higher education that’s the right fit for every faculty member, staff, student, and community member in its trust. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to working effectively with students, employees, and community members of all backgrounds. Bilingual (English/Spanish) or conversational language abilities preferred.

Hiring range = $160,213.64 - $178,015.16 annual salary depending upon a combination of education and experience. Benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Pet insurance, retirement contribution, tuition reimbursement, annual & sick time, mental health resources, healthy lifestyle benefits, affordable transitional housing may be available to the successful candidate based on eligibility and availability, relocation if applicable. CMC utilizes a wage progression compensation model that accounts for a candidate’s skill and experience. Although a salary range is listed, salary will be set commensurate with the successful candidate’s qualifications and in compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. Position anticipated to close on September 27, 2024 or until filled.

Minimum Qualifications: Essential Duties Supervisory/Management Manage the Department of Strategic Initiatives, which includes various externally funded programs, grants development and management. Assist with outreach and grant development with extramural funders. With the college president, supervise the college’s legislative liaison (lobbyist) and strategy-focused contractors hired on behalf of the President’s office. Supervise the Executive Communications and Special Projects Coordinator. With the college president, the incumbent will supervise, advise, and coordinate the college’s legislative and government relations efforts. This includes staffing the Board’s government relations committee and coordinating timely communications with the college’s legislative liaison, state and federal agencies, the Board of Trustees and executive advisory boards. Supervise executive assistants with the college president in coordinating the president’s calendar, participation in events and conferences, and communications from the executive office. Operational Develop quarterly and annual reporting on assigned projects and initiatives, including relevant national, local, and campus-wide trends and needs for identified university populations. Oversee the daily operations of the President’s office, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness, and manage the President’s schedule, correspondence, and communication. Lead and manage special projects and initiatives as directed by the President, including developing project plans, establish timelines, and track progress to ensure successful project completion. Coordinate and organize meetings of the Board of Trustees, the President’s Advisory Committee, College Council, and special events hosted by or on behalf of the President’s Office or the Board of Trustees. Prepare agendas and assemble materials, presentations, and speakers for Board meetings and special events hosted by or on behalf of the President’s Office or the Board of Trustees. Manage cyclical practices considering the fiscal year, academic year, district-wide events and seasonal events. Contribute to and maintain equity initiatives and employee appreciation practices. Identify, analyze, and resolve situations that impact the institution. Proactively address issues and conflicts in alignment with college policy. Advisory/Interpersonal Relationships Serve as a key advisor to the president on institutional matters, providing insights and recommendations, including preparing briefing materials, reports, and presentations for the president, as appropriate. Serve as an advisor to other campus leaders, keeping them informed of changing context and emerging issues that could affect the college’s mission, and reputation, or impact the success of the implementation of institutional initiatives and projects. Partner and develop strong relationships with key community groups and leaders on issues relevant to presidential initiatives. Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, and external partners.

Engagement/Communications: Develop a deep understanding of the multiple internal and external audiences of presidential communication and messaging. Coordinate and execute strategic engagement efforts on behalf of the President’s Office. Lead proactive strategies to inform and engage campus constituents. Facilitate communication and collaboration among stakeholders. This includes soliciting input and analyzing feedback. Coordinate with the Executive Communications and Special Projects Coordinator on the preparation of executive-level presentations, summaries, reports, briefings, talking points, and other communications for the President. Represent and speak on behalf of the President at internal and external meetings, as required.

Supervision Received: The position reports to the college president.

Supervisory Responsibility: This position provides direction to assigned department heads, professional and clerical staff. Indirect supervision is provided through subordinate supervisors.

Special Conditions of Employment: Evening and weekend work will be required in this position. This position will require regular travel, and the incumbent will be required to obtain and maintain a valid Colorado driver’s license and appropriate insurance coverage. Successful completion of a background check including motor vehicles records report required. Incumbents in this position will adhere to all safety and compliance policies of Colorado Mountain College while performing all duties assigned. This position will require regular evening hours, occasional weekend hours, and occasional travel.

Working Conditions: This position requires constant sitting, occasional walking, standing and driving; occasional handling objects, pushing/pulling; frequent reaching with hands/arms, and use of finger movements; occasional lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling objects up to 50 lbs. Constant written and oral communication and the ability to reason and analyze and perform calculations occasionally. Work is performed using a computer and standard office equipment daily and driving a vehicle occasionally. CMC is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, the College will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. 

NOTE: This position description is intended to indicate the basic nature of positions allocated to this class and provide examples of typical duties that may be assigned. It does not imply that all positions within the class perform all of the duties listed, nor does it necessarily list all possible duties that may be assigned. Employees may perform other related duties as required to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.