Job Details

Director of Online Program Operations

Position Number: 9742422
Location: Boulder, United States
Position Type: Distance Education Programs

Director of Online Program Operations

Requisition Number: 73964
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: University Staff
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 13-Aug-2026
Date Posted:

Job Summary

The College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) welcomes applications for the Director of Online Program Operations! This role provides operational leadership across the College's B3 programs - the college's portfolio of Boulder on Coursera online degree programs - within the Office of Digital Education. Reporting to the Associate Dean (AD) for Digital Education, the Director is responsible for cross-program coordination, campus integration, and the day-to-day execution of shared processes. The role serves as the primary liaison to campus offices; supports compliance and risk mitigation; oversees shared services and infrastructure; supervises the shared B3 staff; and ensures consistent communication and implementation across all B3 programs, advancing the college's broader goals for online and digital 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

Founded in 1893, CEAS at CU Boulder is the second largest of seven schools and colleges at one of the nation's top public research institutions. As Colorado's flagship university, CU Boulder has selective admissions standards and a comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs.

The college's mission is to generate new knowledge in engineering and related fields, and to equip students from a diverse set of backgrounds to become leaders and citizens responsible for the betterment of individuals and society. Our vision is to be a recognized world leader for excellence and innovation in engineering research and education, with an emphasis on inclusive excellence, active learning and global society.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Project Management:

Streamline operations across multiple campus units to enhance resource efficiency and service delivery.
Coordinate institutional initiatives such as IT system changes or academic program changes and additions from conception to completion. Define project scope, manage cross-functional teams, track budgets, and ensure deliverables are met on time while aligning with the University's strategic goals.
Provide transparent communication to B3 Faculty Directors, Program Directors and Staff through regular, data-backed updates regarding ongoing project status, risks, and achievements.
Collaborate with program managers to develop scalable staffing models and risk-mitigation frameworks, establishing optimized ratios for course-facilitator headcounts.
Build shared systems, project plans, and documentation to standardize program operations.

Operational Coordination and Campus Integration:

Serve as the primary operational point of contact for campus offices (OIT, Registrar, Bursar, Graduate School).
Manage B3 integration with enrollment systems, including advocating for B3-specific operational rules within campus systems.
Develop shared dashboards and real-time enrollment reporting across programs.
Establish and manage communication protocols.
Coordinate with the Office of Academic and Learning Innovation (ALI) on platform-level operational issues and Coursera relationship management.
Collaborate with Graduate Administration and the Senior Director of Graduate Programs to stay informed on emerging graduate-education trends and marketing initiatives, ensuring B3 strategies align with and advance broader college-wide goals.
Navigate institutional governance to secure consensus and formal approvals from a variety of campus committees, faculty senates, and administrative leaders.
Mitigate academic-calendar risks by scheduling deployments and resource-heavy project phases around peak enrollment, finals, and University breaks.

Promotion and Campus Relations:

Co-develop B3 brand voice and distinct positioning statements with the Associate Dean for Digital Education.
Drive B3 awareness strategies internally and externally using data-driven storytelling to highlight program strengths.
Cultivate cross-campus relationships with the Associate Dean to strategically highlight B3 programs.
Coordinate shared marketing strategy and resources across programs.
Advocate for program visibility, ensuring Coursera and relevant external partners market the programs appropriately and effectively.
Collaborate with programs to manage shared marketing endeavors, vendor relationships, or internal marketing resources as they are phased in.
Partner with the college's Marketing and Communications (MarComm) team to develop and lead B3 marketing, brand, and outreach efforts, coordinating shared resources and ensuring alignment with college-wide messaging.
Attend and participate in B3 events.

Compliance:

Follow and implement university-defined standardized compliance workflows for FERPA, export control, OFAC screening, and identity verification.
Liaise with campus offices accountable for FERPA, export controls, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), identity verification, and accreditation requirements.
Coordinate with relevant campus offices to resolve compliance issues and ensure compliance standards are met.
Study potential risks to program reputation.
Work proactively with the AD for Digital Education and the B3 Education Council to discuss, plan, and implement mitigation strategies.

Shared Services Management:

Lead day-to-day operations of shared B3 staff in the Office of Digital Education who work across multiple units and services commonly used across units.
Coordinate cross-program operational practices (enrollment, advising workflows, data reporting).
Address staffing inconsistencies in coordination with the AD and program leadership.
Explore potential additional shared roles to promote the efficient operation of B3 programs.

Data Governance and Reporting Support:

Standardize reporting and practices across all B3 programs.
Work with campus to define B3-appropriate reporting standards distinct from residential models and aligned with program needs.
Collaborate with program managers to share program-level data and metrics for the AD and college leadership.

What You Should Know

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work modality, consistent with the College of Engineering and Applied Science Hybrid Work Policy.

What We Can Offer

The annual hiring range for this position is $93,000-$107,650. Relocation is available within CEAS guidelines.

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 resourceful. Be collaborative. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and six (6) or more years of progressively responsible experience in operations, program, or project management, higher-education administration, or a closely related field.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute on a year-for-year basis.

Demonstrated experience directly supervising staff.

What You Will Need

Ability to lead, coach, and develop staff and cultivate a cohesive, high-performing team.
Strong project and operations management skills, including defining scope, managing budgets, and coordinating cross-functional teams.
Working knowledge of compliance and regulatory frameworks in higher education.
Data fluency - standardizing reporting, building dashboards, and turning data into clear, actionable updates for leadership.
Excellent written and verbal communication, with a habit of transparent, data-backed partner updates.
Ability to build relationships, influence without direct authority, and drive consensus across a diverse set of campus partners.
Sound judgment for identifying, escalating, and mitigating operational and reputational risk, with discretion on sensitive matters.
Strong organization and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, evolving 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 August 13, 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/Director-of-Online-Program-Operations/73964