Dean of the College of Architecture and Planning

Position Details University of Colorado | Denver
Official Title: Dean
Working Title: Dean of the College of Architecture and Planning
FTE: Full-time
Salary Range: $240,000 -$260,000
Position #00350048 - Requisition #36083

**Applications for this position will only be accepted through Witt/Kieffer's Candidate Portal. Click here to see the full leadership profile for the Dean of the College of Architecture and Planning | WittKieffer**

Join the University of Colorado Denver

About the University of Colorado - Denver

The University of Colorado Denver is the state's premier public urban research university and equity-serving institution. Globally connected and locally invested, CU Denver partners with future-focused learners and communities to design accessible, relevant, transformative educational experiences for every stage of life and career. Across seven schools and colleges in the heart of downtown Denver, our leading faculty inspires and works alongside students to solve complex challenges through break through innovations and impactful research, and creative work. As part of the state's largest university system, CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy, with 2,000 employees and an annual economic impact of $800 million. For more information, visit ucdenver.edu.

Job Description

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

The dean serves as the chief academic, administrative, and fiscal officer of the College of Architecture and Planning, working to foster a respectful and collaborative environment in which students, staff, and faculty experience a sense of purpose and belonging. The dean has primary responsibility for fostering an environment of academic excellence; collaborating with faculty and staff in the shared governance of the college; providing leadership in fundraising to support students, faculty, staff, and strategic initiatives in the college; and working effectively with the CAP community to develop and sustain partnerships with the thriving practice community and industry in the Denver metropolitan area and throughout Colorado.

Additionally, the dean provides oversight of department and program working structures and rules, subject to the provost's approval and in accordance with policies established by the Board of Regents. The dean is expected to provide visionary and creative leadership in managing the college's programs and resources, collaboratively establishing goals and objectives consistent with the university's strategic plan, overseeing and supporting student recruitment, retention, and graduation, and fostering the recruitment, retention, and continued development of outstanding faculty and staff.

As the chief fiscal and operational steward of the college, the dean will oversee approximately $11 million in general fund allocations, auxiliary programs, and grant and gift accounts and provide leadership, support, and mentorship to the college's 33 full-time faculty, 138 part-time faculty, and 27 staff members. The collegewide senior leadership team is comprised of the following:

• Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
• Assistant Dean for Academic Services
• Assistant Dean for Finance and Administration
• Director of Communication
• Dean of the College of Architecture and Planning

What you will do:

• Cultivate and operationalize an innovative strategic vision for CAP's future that demonstrates an authentic commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion and an understanding of CAP's diverse community of students, faculty, and staff.
• Improve upon CAP's organizational structure, policies, and practices to recognize and support shared governance focused on accountability, collaborative leadership, and transparency.
• Encourage, facilitate, implement, and support collaborative initiatives and partnerships within CAP and with external community partners in Denver and beyond to pursue new opportunities for students, faculty, and staff.
• Navigate a fiscal environment that requires a reduction in academic and operational costs while promoting growth in enrollment and soliciting increased funding and opportunities for students.
• Champion enhancements and growth initiatives for classroom and laboratory instruction, advocating for innovative upgrades that enhance learning experiences and foster academic excellence.
• Advocate for facility improvements and master planning for CAP, CU Denver, and on the Auraria Campus.
• Serve as CAP's strongest advocate on campus, within the greater Denver professional community, across the state, and nationally, and seek broad-based support for the college from external agencies and philanthropic partners. Advance CAP's capital campaign to advance a culture of philanthropy within the CAP community by enhancing existing initiatives and identifying new opportunities.

Qualifications you already possess (Minimum Qualifications)

• A terminal graduate degree in one of the college's disciplines or a closely related field; a proven record of teaching, research and creative work, and service commensurate with unit- and college-level requirements for appointment as a full professor.
• A record of progressive academic or administrative leadership, including demonstrated knowledge of the academic structure and operations of a comprehensive research university.
• A proven record of success facilitating shared governance in a complex educational organization.
• Substantial financial management experience, including the equitable allocation of resources across multiple programs and initiatives, and supporting innovation around new degrees, certificates, or other revenue generators.
• Successful experience or strong capacity for success in fundraising; eagerness to build relationships with and solicit donors and to engage with the college's alumni; and the ability to identify, build, and steward community relationships and partnerships.
• Experience fostering and sustaining external relations, including cultivating opportunities for students in the professional practice community.

Preferred Qualifications to possess (Preferred Qualifications)

• The successful candidate is licensed or has other appropriate qualifications to practice in their field of expertise, has experience with accreditation bodies, and is familiar with the requirements and processes related to faculty advancement on the tenure and professional teaching tracks.
• An innovative, intellectually engaged leader who makes difficult decisions with reflection, fairness, and transparency and is willing to challenge the status quo to guide the college to further prominence locally, nationally, and internationally.
• A clear, transparent, empathetic, and empowering communication style; an openness to listening and integrating the input of others; an ability to advocate for the college's priorities; an ability to convey the mission, vision, and impact of the college and university to both internal and external audiences; and the capacity to serve as a thought leader within Colorado and beyond.
• A champion for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion with exemplary skills in communicating, collaborating with, and supporting a diverse community, removing barriers to inclusion, promoting student voice, and valuing student agency.
• Ability to foster a deep sense of community both internally at the college and externally with partners; desire to listen and learn and to serve as a visible and positive presence at the school and on campus; and ability to foster a culture and community where kindness, humility, and respect are high priorities.
• A relationship-based leadership style that values teamwork and collaboration; a firm belief in shared governance and a high level of collegiality in working with faculty, staff, and students; experience bringing people together to solve challenges and seize opportunities; ability to delegate; respect and appreciation for all of the disciplines of the college; and experience facilitating strong partnerships among academic programs and other divisions of the university.
• A leadership style that demonstrates accountability, integrity, compassion, empathy, kindness, humility, curiosity, enthusiasm, humor, flexibility, forward-thinking, good judgment, and discernment.
• A deep appreciation for research and scholarly endeavors, a record of recruiting and developing both people and programs of the highest quality.
• Successful experience in or a demonstrated capacity for fundraising; an eagerness to build relationships with donors, alumni, and community partnerships to help advance the mission of CAP.
• Familiarity with the issues and opportunities across a range of academic areas and a natural curiosity about a broad range of intellectual and artistic endeavors, including those represented throughout the college's departments and programs.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established at $240,000 -$260,000.

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/benefits

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

Application Deadline

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile.

WittKieffer is assisting the University of Colorado Denver in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by Feb 22, 2025, 11:59:00 PM.

Nominations, inquiries, and application materials can be directed to:

Jessica Herrington and Cathryn Davis, CUDenverCAPDean@wittkieffer.com

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.

Diversity and Equity

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at workplaceengagement@ucdenver.edu.

The University of Colorado Denver is committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting diverse faculty and staff. The university strives to promote a culture of inclusiveness, respect, communication and understanding. We encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, and people of color, women, persons with disabilities, persons within the LGBTQ+ community, and veterans. The University of Colorado is committed to diversity and equity in education and employment.