Position Summary

The University of Denver is seeking an experienced and dynamic leader for the

position of Vice Chancellor for People and Culture and Chief People Officer.

Serving as the University's Chief People and community leader, this executive

role provides visionary, transformational leadership for the Division of Human Resources and Inclusive Community and the Division for Community Support and Engagement. The Vice Chancellor champions a culture of belonging, innovation, and organizational excellence, ensuring that human capital, employee experience, and community engagement strategies advance the University's mission and long-term strategic priorities while fostering a vibrant, inclusive environment for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and retirees.

The Vice Chancellor for People and Culture will report directly to the

Chancellor and be a key member of the University's leadership team. The Vice Chancellor serves as chair of the University Culture and Engagement Committee and a member of the Fiduciary Delegation Committee for the University retirement plan.

About DCSE

The Division of Community Support and Engagement has the mission to support all

members of the University of Denver community to ensure that they connect, belong and thrive. Comprised of Community Connections, Academic Engagement, and the University Ombuds, the Division prioritizes work towards developing a sense of belonging through collaborative engagement and holistic support, while remaining committed to providing opportunities for meaningful connections and support to students, faculty, and staff.

About HRIC

The Division of Human Resources and Inclusive Community has the mission to

align HR practices with institutional mission and evolving workforce needs; fostering a culture of transparency, trust, and continuous learning; prioritize employee wellbeing, belonging, and career mobility; and embrace data-driven decision-making and proactive risk management. Comprised of Benefits, Classification and Compensation, Employee and Labor Relations, Employment Services, Talent Acquisition and Development and Employee Well-being, the Division is committed to fostering an inclusive culture through strategic leadership and innovative solutions that serve and support the University's vision, mission, and goals and provides exemplary HR services and programs to attract, inspire, and sustain excellence in our community, enabling a world class workforce by empowering employees to maximize their potential.

Essential Functions

The Vice Chancellor will

• Work closely with the Chancellor and the Provost, as well as key stakeholders, to create innovative programs, continue to shape the culture and reach out to the Denver community and beyond to create an inclusive environment all current and prospective students, faculty and staff as well as alumni and retirees.
• Serve as a member of the Chancellor's Executive Committee and Cabinet.
• Develop and implement a strategic vision for People and Culture that aligns with the University's mission and goals.
• Manage and support the People and Culture Leadership team, which includes eight direct reports from the divisions of Community Support and Engagement and Human Resources and Inclusive Community.
• Oversee the financial management of the broader division, ensuring resources are used effectively and efficiently.
• Coordinate compliance of employment policies and community support programs and services with state and federal regulations.
• Promote a culture of continuous learning and development.
• Staff the Board of Trustees Executive Compensation Committee.
• Partner with campus offices to share resources and maximize the impact of programs in shaping campus culture.
• Develop and lead initiatives aimed at improving student, faculty and staff engagement.
• Foster a strong sense of community among students, staff, and faculty, and create a vibrant campus life where all have a sense of belonging.
• Build partnerships with external organizations, including local community groups, businesses, and vendors.
• Assess the effectiveness of community-building programs and support services, using data to drive continuous improvement.
• Monitor for student, staff and faculty engagement by conducting employee engagement surveys, pulse surveys and focus groups.
• Advocate for student, faculty and staff needs and concerns at the institutional level, ensuring their interests are represented in decision-making processes.
• Optimize faculty and staff total rewards by optimizing benefits offerings and recommending appropriate compensation.
• Coordinate proactive crisis management plans and respond to unexpected events with diplomacy and effectiveness.
• Design and deliver clear analysis and strategic recommendations to the chancellor and other senior leadership regarding community and culture for the University.
• Provide oversight for community support, recognition and well-being programs such as the DU Food Pantry, DU Care Closet, Emerging Leaders Institute, Faculty and Staff Awards Luncheon, Wellness in the Wilderness, and the annual Crimson Classic event.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to manage conflict and work effectively with colleagues across units.
• Passion about the mission and culture of the University of Denver.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
• Collaborative leadership style.
• Demonstrated experience and expertise to operate effectively with both on-campus groups and external stakeholders.
• Ability to create an inclusive and welcoming environment to welcome all regardless of background, identity or lived experience.
• Possession of an entrepreneurial mindset and demonstrated business acumen and experience to build and grow sponsorship support for programs and events at the University of Denver.
• The University of Denver is committed to fostering an inclusive environment that welcomes, supports, and celebrates its exceptional students, faculty, and staff. The Vice Chancellor for People and Culture will play a critical role in advancing this mission and enhancing the experience of these stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree: a terminal degree is strongly preferred.
• 15 years of human resources and community-building experience
• Proven ability to manage a complex organization with a clear vision and goals.
• Strong skills in creating and sustaining faculty, staff and student relations.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in community-building and wellness initiatives.
• Commitment to promoting inclusive practices.
• Significant budgetary and personnel management experience.
• Experience working with diverse constituencies, including students, faculty, staff, administrative colleagues, community partners, and trustees.
• Crisis management experience, with the ability to respond to unexpected events diplomatically and effectively.
• Strategic leadership ability and experience working with multiple stakeholder groups.
• Strong analytic skills, with a demonstrated ability to establish data-driven metrics.
• A holistic view of the community and culture-building experiences and a genuine passion for supporting students, faculty and staff in their personal development.
• High degree of accessibility and openness to all stakeholders.
• Excellent judgment and discretion.
• Expertise in the areas of management, business development, community organizing and leadership, team building, public affairs (public presentation – both written materials and public speaking), and multi-party negotiations.
• Demonstrated experience in managing strategic projects to include software system implementations.

Work Schedule

Typical schedule Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm.

Application Deadline

For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:30 p.m. (MST) July 26, 2026.

Special Instructions

The University is aware of one or more qualified candidates who may be considered for this position. The position is being posted in accordance with applicable policy and Colorado law, and all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu [https://jobs.du.edu/en-us/listing/] to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted. 

Salary Grade Number

The salary grade for the position is UG.

Salary Rate

The salary rate for this position is $400,000-$445,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its

good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits

The University of Denver [https://www.du.edu/human-resources/media/documents/benefits-overview-benefited-employees.pdf] offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver [https://www.du.edu/].

Please include the following documents with your application

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified

applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement [https://www.du.edu/equalopportunity/non-discrimination-statement].

All offers of employment are based upon satisfactory completion of a criminal

history background check and Sex Offender Registry check.