Director Workforce Development Jobs in Denver, CO

Department
College of Business-Office
About the University
Established in 1965, Metropolitan State University (MSU Denver) was founded to serve students who were underrepresented in higher education whose life paths and experiences did not fit the traditional mold. Sixty years later, the University continues to serve over 16,000 of Colorado's extraordinary and diverse students, providing them with the foundation on which to build their unique aspirations. As the third largest public institution of higher education in Colorado, MSU Denver is a model university for today's college students.
Proud of its federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution that also offers graduate programs (gHSI) and the only Seal of Excelencia certified institution in Colorado, the University serves the most diverse undergraduate student population in the state, as well as the most first-generation students. Through affordable, flexible, and holistic education, MSU Denver helps students build essential skills grounded in a multicultural and global perspective that lead to undergraduate and graduate degrees, and career and life success.
At MSU Denver, we are committed to our CADRE values: Community, Access, Diversity, Respect, and Excellence. We strive to create a supportive and inclusive environment where all community members are valued and belong. Our dedication to breaking down barriers to education, fostering open dialogue, and promoting world-class scholarship ensures that we provide exceptional services and innovative learning opportunities for our students, faculty, and staff.
FHLBank Topeka Affordable Housing Institute Vision and Mission
The vision of the FHLBank Topeka Affordable Housing Institute is that MSU Denver students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community partners will have access to the knowledge, resources, experiences, and support they need to understand, enter, and lead within the affordable housing field.
The mission of the FHLBank Topeka Affordable Housing Institute is to advance affordable housing education, workforce development, community engagement, and industry-connected learning. The Institute prepares students and community members to contribute meaningfully to affordable housing, real estate, finance, policy, development, and community impact through academic programs, non-credit programming, experiential learning, partnerships, and applied industry engagement.
Position Summary
The College of Business at MSU Denver seeks a forward-thinking, visionary, and experienced leader to serve as the next Executive Director of the FHLBank Topeka Affordable Housing Institute. The Executive Director of the FHLBank Topeka Affordable Housing Institute (AHI) provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and academic integration for MSU Denver's interdisciplinary affordable housing initiative. This is a 12-month appointment with ongoing, year-round administrative and instructional duties reporting to the Chair of the Department of Finance.
The Executive Director of the FHLBank Topeka Affordable Housing Institute serves as the academic, strategic, and community-facing leader for affordable housing education, workforce development, industry engagement, non-credit programming, and interdisciplinary academic integration. Housed within the College of Business and connected to the Department of Finance, the Institute supports students, faculty, community partners, housing professionals, developers, financial institutions, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and industry stakeholders by connecting affordable housing knowledge with education, career pathways, applied learning, and community impact.
The Executive Director is responsible for advancing the Institute's role as a regional leader in affordable housing education and workforce development. The Executive Director will help position MSU Denver as a distinctive public urban university partner for affordable housing finance, policy, development, management, and community-centered housing solutions. The Executive Director will also support student success, professional mobility, and industry engagement by helping students and working professionals develop the knowledge, skills, experiences, and relationships needed to contribute to the affordable housing sector. The Executive Director will work closely with faculty, college leadership, University Advancement, C2 Hub, the Affordable Housing Industry Navigator, the AHI Advisory Council, and external stakeholders.
Responsibilities
Center Executive Director - Leadership and Strategic Management of the Center (60%)
Strategic Leadership & Operations

• Provide overall leadership and vision for AHI aligned with the College of Business strategic priorities
• Establish annual goals, program strategy, and operational processes
• Oversee day-to-day operations, budgeting, and program execution
• Collaborate with the C2 Hub and the AH Industry Navigator

Fundraising & Advancement

• Identify, cultivate, and steward relationships with donors, foundations, and public agencies
• Partner with University Advancement to secure grants, sponsorships, and philanthropic support
• Prepare proposals, manage funded projects, and ensure reporting compliance

Community & Industry Partnerships

• Build and maintain relationships with developers, financial institutions, nonprofits, and government agencies
• Serve as MSU Denver's representative in housing coalitions and industry forums
• Convene events such as summits, panels, and practitioner workshops

Non-Credit Program Development

• Lead development and delivery of non-credit programs (certificates, workshops, executive education)
• Recruit instructors and ensure program quality
• Track outcomes and align offerings with workforce needs

Advisory Council & Stakeholder Engagement

• Work with Advancement and college leadership to support and engage the AHI Advisory Council
• Represent AHI to internal and external stakeholders
• Represent MSU Denver and the College of Business in affordable housing, real estate, finance, community development, workforce development, public policy, and industry networks.
• Position the Institute as a distinctive regional leader in affordable housing education, industry-connected learning, workforce development, and community impact.

Instruction, Curriculum Innovation, and Industry Alignment (40%)

• Typically, teach for-credit or non-credit courses (minimum 12 credit hours or equivalent, annually) in finance, real estate, or affordable housing-related areas
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of curriculum related to affordable housing and real estate
• Collaborate with faculty to align non-credit programming with academic pathways
• Support student engagement through: experiential learning opportunities; industry projects; internships and career pathways
• Participate as a contributing member of the Department of Finance faculty community, including coordination and program support as needed
• Academic Program and Credential Development
  • Lead the maintenance, design and development of interdisciplinary academic offerings related to affordable housing, including undergraduate certificates, micro-credentials, and digital badges
  • Evaluate opportunities to expand or refine existing programs (e.g., Affordable Housing Management certificate) to improve alignment with industry needs and student demand
  • Collaborate with faculty across departments (e.g., Social Work, Urban Planning) to strengthen interdisciplinary curriculum pathways

• Curriculum Strategy and Alignment
  • Ensure alignment between non-credit programming and for-credit curriculum to create clear stackable pathways for students and working professionals
  • Support the integration of industry-relevant skills, tools, and competencies into academic offerings
  • Work with faculty and leadership to assess curriculum gaps and propose new courses or program enhancements

• Assessment and Continuous Improvement
  • Develop and implement processes to assess the effectiveness of certificates, badges, and related curricular initiatives
  • Use data on student outcomes, enrollment trends, and employer feedback to inform program improvements
  • Contribute to assurance of learning (AoL) and accreditation-related activities as needed

• Approval and Implementation Processes
  • Lead or support the development of proposals for new certificates, badges, and curricular initiatives through university and accreditation approval processes
  • Coordinate with relevant offices to ensure timely implementation, marketing, and ongoing administration of new offerings

Position Competencies

• Demonstrates values-based leadership by modeling CADRE values, building trust through self-awareness and emotional intelligence, seeking feedback, and navigating conflict productively
• Ensures operational effectiveness by managing priorities, time, and resources responsibly, adhering to policies, delivering measurable results, and meeting performance expectations
• Aligns individual work with team and departmental goals by contributing to shared priorities, seeking clarity, and adapting to change in support of the 2030 Strategic Plan
• Practices collaboration by communicating clearly, checking for understanding, building strong relationships, and engaging diverse perspectives to achieve shared outcomes
• Advances equity and belonging with awareness of culture and potential biases, listens openly to diverse perspectives, contributing to respectful and inclusive work relationships
• Innovates by developing professional skills, staying informed on relevant trends, and identifying opportunities to improve processes and outcomes

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a master's degree in finance, real estate, urban planning, public administration, business, community development, or a closely related field
• Minimum of seven years of experience in affordable housing, real estate, community development, or related sectors
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Commitment to student success and MSU Denver's mission of access, equity, and professional mobility
• Demonstrated experience in:
  • Program leadership or management
  • Partnership development
  • Fundraising or grant development

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional or academic teaching experience, preferably in higher education
• Experience integrating industry practice with curriculum development, student learning, experiential education, or career-connected programming
• Knowledge of affordable housing finance, policy, development, management, real estate, public-private partnerships, community development, or housing-related workforce needs
• Experience with fundraising, donor relations, sponsorship development, grant development, foundation relations, or externally supported programming
• Experience working with advisory boards, industry councils, community coalitions, public agencies, or cross-sector partnerships
• Experience in workforce development, continuing education, executive education, non-credit programming, certificates, micro-credentials, or digital badges
• Demonstrated commitment to access, affordability, housing opportunity, community impact, and support for historically underserved communities
• Ability to represent MSU Denver, the College of Business, and the Institute externally with professionalism, credibility, and enthusiasm

We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every preferred qualification. We are most interested in finding the candidate who will best contribute to the Institute, the College of Business, and the University.
Schedule Information

• Full time, 40 hrs/week
• Exempt
• Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Evenings and Weekend Work: As needed, and usually for events
• Schedule: Hybrid - no more than 20% remote
• Travel: Minimal; primarily local with occasional travel to out-of-state conferences
• Work expectations for this position are continuous and not aligned to the typical downtime associated with nine-month faculty appointments

Salary for Announcement
Under Colorado law, MSU Denver is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account a variety of factors including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.
The anticipated hiring range that the university reasonably expects to pay for this position is $130,000 - $143,000.
This position is paid monthly and is eligible for MSU Denver benefits.
Instructions for Application
Interested applicants must apply online at MSU Denver's career site, https://msudenver.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/MSUDenver and search for JR105472.
The following documents are required to be included with your application:

• Resume
• Cover letter describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position
• A list of three professional references and their contact information

Due to volume of applications received, only applications completed as outlined above will be considered. Please ensure you have uploaded all required documents into the Resume/Cover letter section of the application.
Professional references and their contact information will be requested from the finalist/s. At least one reference provid