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Senior Director of COSI

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Senior Director of COSI

Salary

$9,161.94 - $9,539.89 Monthly

Location

Denver Metro, CO

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

12182025426

Department

Colorado Department of Higher Education

Opening Date

12/19/2025

Closing Date

12/21/2025 11:59 PM Mountain

FLSA

Determined by Position

Primary Physical Work Address

1600 Broadway, Denver, CO 80202

Department Contact Information

[email protected]

Type of Announcement

This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.

How To Apply

Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Department Information

Transparency Posting

This announcement is for transparency purposes only, to comply with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. An intended candidate has been identified for this position.

Please note - Pursuant to Executive Order D 2025 009, a hiring freeze is in effect for positions with start dates in 2025.

Position Description

The Senior Director of COSI, Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI) provides operational leadership, strategic policy planning, and program administration aligned with state and federal fiscal rules and Department priorities. This position is responsible for ensuring the grant programs are cohesive and functioning in a consistent manner across the state, and developing strong working relationships with Department staff, as well as leading the development of strong relationships with communities to establish a value proposition resulting in greater persistence and completion of post-secondary credentials and degrees and closing the attainment gap in Colorado.

Supervision Exercised

This position supervises four employees: three (3) program managers, and a program manager II.

Scope of Responsibilities

This is a senior management position responsible for planning, directing, and managing the staff, operations, and activities of the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative. Positions at this level are responsible for performing complex, specialized, and diverse work involving significant accountability and decision-making, including program budget administration, program evaluation, and the recommendation and implementation of policies, procedures, goals, objectives, priorities, and standards related to the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative. The duties of the work require considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within broad guidelines.

Description of Job

Job Duties

The duties listed below reflect the different types of work that may be performed. The omission of any specific duty will not prevent the assignment of work that is appropriately related to this position.

Program Management

+ Lead COSI operations and programs. Including, but not limited to, the design, implementation, and evaluation of such areas as program operations, program development, technical assistance, program communications, and grant management and reporting databases.

+ Provide task and workflow supervision for budget, accounting, and application developer positions.

+ Cultivate and maintain relationships with stakeholders, board members, donors, volunteers, and community partners, to foster collaboration and support.

+ Build a strong network of advocates and increase public awareness of COSI among funders, educators, community members, and policymakers.

+ Implement strategies to improve key outcomes, including student engagement, enrollment, retention, and completion.

+ Represent the program at events, conferences, and media engagements, effectively communicating its mission and impact.

+ Recruit, inspire, and empower a high-performing team, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.

+ Oversee program evaluation and operations frameworks to measure success and identify areas for continuous improvement.

+ Prepare and present reports and data to internal teams, funders, and partners.

+ Develop and manage grant cycle policies and procedures, ensuring alignment across programs and clear communication with partners.

+ Create resources, data tracking tools, evaluation frameworks, reporting templates, and professional development materials, offering specialized support in designated areas of expertise.

Financial Management

+ Oversee budgeting and accounting, contracting, financial planning and growth, and resource allocation to ensure fiscal responsibility and sustainability

+ Manage a fund of approximately $20 million to support programming focused on access, completion, affordability, and in alignment with state and funder requirements

+ Define funding priorities and develop new program concepts based on evaluation and industry best practices to promote diversity and improve holistic program implementation

+ Cultivate relationships with local and national organizations, securing funding to support programmatic initiatives and organizational growth

Policy Development

+ Direct policy and advocacy activities, strategic planning, and long-range vision process in support of advancing state and department goals

+ Oversee all facets of regulations, statutes, and policies specific to COSI, including legislative responses and requests

+ Ensure compliance with statutory requirements and develop, interpret, and implement policies and guidelines

COSI Advisory Board

+ Collaborate with the Advisory Board to set division goals, implement policy decisions, develop a sustainable model for managing financial contributions, monitor performance, and evaluate program effectiveness

+ Manage application process, onboarding, and board communications and activities

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Qualifications Education and Experience

Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:

Master’s degree f rom an accredited university or college in research, policy, higher education, or related field

Substitution: Eight (8) years of experience in research, policy, higher education or related field can replace the education requirement of a master’s degree.

Experience:

+ Six years of experience in a progressively responsible administrative leadership position in a postsecondary or related setting.

+ Experience with policy development

+ Experience managing an annual budget

+ Experience leading staff

Licenses and Certifications:

+ Valid Colorado driver’s license and compliance with all requirements for driving a state vehicle are required throughout the term of employment.

Knowledge of:

+ Standard office practices, procedures, software, and equipment, including the use of personal computers, telephones, Zoom, and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams)

+ State statutes, rules and regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines

+ Federal grant rules and regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines

+ Data management, reporting, and program evaluation

Ability to:

+ Work effectively in both independent and team situations

+ Communicate effectively, both written and verbally

+ Take the initiative to solve problems in an innovative manner

+ Employ attention to technical detail and accuracy

+ Read and interpret new and existing statutes to identify the impact of proposed legislation on the department

+ Manage sensitive issues and confidential information

+ Apply project management skills

+ Establish and maintain relationships with internal/external stakeholders

Supplemental Information

Physical and Mental Standards (Hybrid Setting)

The physical and mental standards described here are representative of those that must typically be met by employees to perform the essential functions of this class successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

+ Frequently sit/stand at a desk for extended periods of time

+ Frequently move from one area/building to another and sit/stand during a day/week/month for meetings

+ Occasionally may push or pull an object

+ Frequently use finger dexterity and operate a keyboard

+ Regularly lift 10 pounds and occasionally lift 25 pounds

+ Frequently use vision to read documents, view computer screens, and see close and distant objects

+ Frequently use speech and hearing to engage in conversation, in person, and over the telephone

If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquires to [email protected]

Typical Working Conditions

+ The employee typically works in a standard office environment where the noise level is moderate, and the office has controlled temperatures. Works a 40-hour work week, either remotely, hybrid, or in-office, depending on the arrangement met during employment with the supervisor during normal office hours of Monday– Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.

+ Job duties may occasionally require working extended hours or hours outside of the regular schedule.

+ The position may require periodic in-state and out-of-state travel requiring occasional overnight stays. The position requires the ability to travel independently through the state.

Notice

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. The duties, expectations, and actions listed for this role may change at any time with or without notice.

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

The Colorado Department of Higher Education is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency 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. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying for or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our Human Resource Director at [email protected] or call 720.264.8575.

Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.

01

To move forward in the hiring process, you must upload a copy of your cover letter and resume. Have you uploaded your resume and cover letter?

+ Yes

+ No

02

I understand the condition of employment means I must be a resident of Colorado, I attest to this condition

+ Yes

+ No

Required Question

Employer

State of Colorado

Address

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Website

https://careers.colorado.gov/

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