Presidential Affairs and Board Relations Director

Description

About the Job

The Presidential Affairs & Board Relations Director serves as a leader within the Office of the President and is responsible for advancing the strategic priorities of the President and the Board of Trustees through leadership, governance administration, presidential initiatives, communications, institutional events, and cross-divisional collaboration.

This position serves as the administrative and strategic liaison among the President, the Board Chairman, the Board of Trustees, the President's Cabinet, distinguished guests, community leaders, and various university constituencies. The Director provides logistical leadership for presidential operations while ensuring excellence in support, protocol, hospitality, planning, and excellence in execution.

As Executive Assistant to the Board of Trustees, this position supports Board administration, operations, trustee relations, committee coordination, documentation, communications, and board continuity.

The Director serves as an extension of the Office of the President by exercising sound judgment, anticipating needs, preserving institutional knowledge, solving complex organizational challenges, and ensuring that presidential priorities are translated into effective action throughout the University.

Job Location

Fully on-site – must reside and work legally in the U.S. Regular work location: Lakewood, Colorado.

We’re looking for candidates who have:

1. Master's degree (preferred).
2. Seven to ten years of progressively responsible experience supporting executives, governing boards, or complex organizations.
3. Demonstrated expertise in executive leadership, governance administration, project management, event strategy, executive communications, and relationship management.
4. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
5. Outstanding organizational, analytical, and strategic planning abilities.
6. Ability to exercise independent judgment in highly confidential matters.
7. Proven ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
8. Professional and effective interactions with trustees, donors, elected officials, and distinguished guests.
9. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, presentation software, project management systems, and collaborative technologies.
10. Demonstrated experience leading teams, mentoring volunteers or staff, and developing operational systems that improve organizational effectiveness, continuity, and service excellence.

Key Job Duties

Mission Contribution

CCU’s mission is Christ-centered higher education, transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth. The Director advances this mission by ensuring presidential priorities, Board governance, initiatives, institutional traditions, and University events consistently reflect CCU's unwavering commitment to Christ-centered higher education while strengthening relationships among trustees, donors, students, faculty, alumni, and external partners.

Presidential Events, Programs & Strategic Initiatives

1. Lead planning and execution of presidential events, programs, and initiatives assigned by the President.
2. Develop project plans, timelines, budgets, and communication strategies.
3. Facilitate collaboration among University divisions to accomplish presidential objectives.

Presidential Events

1. Direct planning and execution of the University's highest-profile events, including President's Weekend, Board meetings, Speaker Series, CCU Conversations, Commencement, and VIP donor events.
2. Manage budgets, contracts, speaker recruitment, and travel/hospitality logistics.
3. Oversee protocol, seating design, run-of-show, and vendor/AV coordination.
4. Supervise student employees, volunteers, and cross-functional teams to ensure seamless guest experiences.
   

Presidential Seasonal Programs

1. Partner with the President and First Lady to plan the University's Christmas season celebrations.
2. Coordinate the Advent Service, Christmas Tea, and Campus Tree Lighting.
3. Manage vendors, budgets, and campus decorating schedules with Facilities and Student Life.
   

Presidential Awards & Recognition Programs

1. Administer the annual Leadership Award process from nomination through presentation.
2. Coordinate confidential review materials, committee meetings, and finalist communications.
3. Manage donor stewardship, tax documentation, and official award records.
   

Commencement & Ceremonial Events

1. Coordinate commencement speakers, VIP guests, and honorary participants.
2. Arrange accommodations, transportation, backstage logistics, and credentialing.
3. Serve as liaison with venues, vendors, and University departments to ensure seamless execution.
   

Executive Communications

1. Draft executive correspondence, talking points, and proclamations for the President and Board leadership.
2. Prepare briefing materials and executive reports.
3. Review communications for accuracy and alignment with institutional priorities.
   

Financial & Administrative Stewardship

1. Develop and manage budgets for presidential initiatives and special events.
2. Negotiate contracts and monitor expenditures.
3. Coordinate purchasing, invoicing, and financial reconciliation.
4. Identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining quality standards.

Board of Trustees Governance & Administration

1. Coordinate quarterly Board and committee meetings, including agenda development and Board book preparation.
2. Manage the annual governance calendar, trustee onboarding, committee assignments, and officer transitions.
3. Maintain confidential trustee records, official Board resolutions, and governance archives.
4. Serve as the primary liaison between trustees and University leadership, maintaining strict confidentiality.

Perform other additional duties as assigned by the University President. 

Work Environment

This position requires occasional evening and weekend work, frequent interaction with leaders, trustees, donors, and distinguished guests, and the ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities in a dynamic executive environment. The employee may occasionally lift or move materials weighing up to 25 pounds and should be comfortable working in events, meetings, and office settings. As a visible representative of the Office of the President, the Director is expected to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, confidentiality, Christian character, and service while contributing to the life and mission of Colorado Christian University.

What we offer our employees:

We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages to all employees. Our benefit package includes: a tuition waiver program, excellent healthcare, generous paid time off, matching 403(b) retirement plan, and additional organizational paid benefits and voluntary benefit offerings. Pay and benefits will be discussed in more detail as each candidate progresses through the interview process.

Colorado Christian University’s pay philosophy is based on internal and external data for pay equity; along with budgetary considerations for effective stewardship. Pay will be assigned based on relevant experience at a range of $ 60,000 - $75,000 annual salary. We reserve the right to pay an equitable rate that we believe is within our salary structure or that may fit a candidate’s qualifications or experience for the job. A wage range posted is not a guarantee of a specific wage range for a job offer. CCU reserves the right to make pay decisions based on economic and equity considerations to attract the best possible talent. CCU does not determine pay based on sex or any other protected status.

Application Status

Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Spiritual Requirements

1. Committed follower of Jesus Christ, who believes there is no salvation apart from faith in his atonement on the cross, by grace alone becoming "born again" thus beginning a personal relationship with Christ, the Son of God.
2. Able to effectively communicate personal faith and apply biblical principles and convictions in the workplace. Must have a strong sense of calling to the ministry of Colorado Christian University.
3. Regularly attend and be engaged in meaningful involvement in a Bible-believing evangelical local church. Knowledgeable about the Word of God and passionate about Christian education.
4. Must be a traditional evangelical Christian whose lifestyle is in consonance with sound Christian principles, is compatible with CCU’s Statement of Faith, and is in agreement with the Strategic Priorities promulgated by the University.

Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Colorado Christian University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status. CCU is committed to an environment free from discrimination and harassment and calls on every member of the university community to be vigilant in deterring and reporting all violations. CCU does reserve the right to exercise preference on the basis of religion in all of its employment practices. All employees who work at CCU must demonstrate a spiritual testimony consistent with our evangelical mission and follow our lifestyle expectations.