Senior Operations Specialist

Position Details
University of Colorado | Denver
Official Title: Business Services Senior Professional
Working Title: Senior Operations Specialist
FTE: Full-time
Salary Range: $66,600 - $72,921
Position #00350237- Requisition #40517

About the University of Colorado Denver
Millions of moments start at CU Denver, a place where innovation, research, and learning meet in the heart of a global city. We're the state's premier public urban research university with more than 100 in-demand, top-ranked bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs. We partner with diverse learners-at any stage of their life and career-for transformative educational experiences. Across seven schools and colleges, our leading faculty inspires and works alongside students to solve complex challenges and produce impactful 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 $665 million. To learn more about how CU Denver helps learners meet their moment, visit ucdenver.edu.

Job Description
* Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers *
The Senior Operations Specialist reports directly to the Vice Chancellor University Communications and will interact on a consistent basis with University Communications staff, other central services units including Administration and Finance, Human Resources, Student Employment Office, Procurement Service Center, Risk & Compliance, University Counsel, Controller, and Grants & Contracts, and school and college administrators, among others. This position is responsible for day-to-day administrative and business operations of the University Communications office. The University Communications office is located in downtown Denver across from the Auraria Campus.

Senior Operations Specialist
What you will do:
Operations and Communications:
* Maintain the Vice Chancellor's calendar and schedule complex meetings on behalf of the unit as needed.
* Manage agendas for staff meetings.
* Assist with meeting scheduling, meeting room setup, and operation of audiovisual equipment for executive and other high-level meetings.
* Provide event setup and cleanup support as needed.
* Provide administrative and operational support to members of the Marketing, Communications, and Creative teams as needed.
* Maintain business operations for the unit, including policies and procedures, staff contact sheets, and other administrative resources.
* Maintain office supplies, equipment, and employee technology, coordinating maintenance and repairs as needed.
* Attend meetings on behalf of the unit to provide representation and administrative support as needed. Serve as the unit's representative on university and CU System committees, as assigned.
* Serve as the CU Denver lead for eComm support for campus Salesforce users:
o Manage monthly eComm user licensing, including provisioning and deprovisioning of Salesforce and Marketing Cloud accounts.
o Train and onboard new Cvent and Salesforce/Marketing Cloud users.
o Provide Tier 1 support through the eComm ticketing system.
o Manage the creation and maintenance of Salesforce email distribution lists, partnering with CU System to ensure adherence to best practices, standards, and compliance requirements.
o Serve as the approver for free and paid events created in Cvent, working closely with campus users to develop and submit fundraising events for approval.
o Ensure digital communications and event invitations/communications comply with university branding standards, accessibility requirements, and applicable laws and policies.
o Serve as the secondary backup for university-wide email communications.
Fiscal Management:
* Implement and follow all financial and general processes for the University Communications budget in collaboration with the central budget office.
* In collaboration with the Business Operations team, coordinate the procurement processes from beginning to close: consultation and coordination with the Procurement Services Center for RFPs, Documented Quotes, and other vehicles for vendor identification and selection; budget allocation; purchase orders; encumbrance tracking and closeout; project progress and receipt of deliverables with project lead; invoice payment; and vendor relationship management.
* Advise and support staff in the reconciliation of procurement card expenses by providing guidance on purchasing rules, travel expense guidelines, appropriate speedtypes and account codes, and policy updates. Review reconciliations for compliance and provide periodic retraining as needed.
* Reconcile and submit personal procurement card expenses for approval in accordance with university policies and procedures. Responsible for communicating the need of journal entries to the Denver Budget Office: transfers or receipt of funding, expenses, or other charges as appropriate.
* Supports leadership in managing the budget, offering guidance based on understanding of fiscal targets by outlining key indicators from monthly budget reports.
Human Resources:
* Provide guidance to unit on HR policies and procedures.
* Coordinate recruiting process with search committee chairs, including support in the review of applications, scheduling of interviews, completion of reference checks, and follow-up with hiring managers on candidate status.
* Coordinate and update the onboarding process for new University Communication employees including: ensuring all new hire paperwork ( to include: background checks, I-9, E-Verify) is on track and complete in collaboration with HR and OIT, ensuring appropriate employee technology is ordered and assigned, providing an onboarding checklist to new hires, ordering business cards, identifying workspace with the VC, and other onboarding tasks as needed.
* Coordinate professional training programs for the office and assist individual managers with staff professional development plans.
* Keep staff informed of updates to training requirements, both University Communications-specific and campus wide as appropriate.

Qualifications you already possess (Minimum Qualifications)
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.
* Bachelor's degree in business, finance, accounting, marketing, communications, human resources, project management, information systems, or related field from an accredited institution.
* 2 years of work experience in finance, human resources, business operations, and/or project management.
Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor's degree on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualification to possess (Preferred Qualifications)
* 5+ years of related work experience in extensive, diverse, and progressively responsible roles in finance, human resources, business operations, and/or project management including serving as a member of a unit leadership team.
* Professional experience working in a marketing and communications department.
* Experience with PeopleSoft HCM and Axiom or similar software for HR, budgeting, and planning tools.
* Experience with Concur or similar software to process expense reports and travel reimbursements.
* Experience with CU Marketplace or similar software to manage vendors, processing purchase orders, payables, and/or supply ordering.
* Experience with budget and expense forecasting, planning, and reconciliation in a professional environment.
* Experience with HR services to include employee onboarding, leave, payroll, performance management, learning and development, employee engagement, and similar functions.
* Experience with project management tools and implementing standard operating procedures for project intake and planning.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
* Demonstrated understanding of the highest levels of discretion and confidentiality.
* High-level of proficiency in Excel to develop formulas, automated reports, among other skills, to support fiscal responsibilities.
* Proficient in presentation development using PowerPoint or similar tool, including creating and organizing information in a clear, logical way to achieve communication goals.
* Proficient in the use of project management tools to optimize and improve operations processes and efficiencies of the unit.
* Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
* Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
* Outstanding customer service skills.
* Demonstrated commitment and leadership ability to advance diversity and inclusion.
* Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, adapt to changing priorities, manage time, and meet deadlines.
* Familiarity with State of Colorado fiscal policies and procedures.

Conditions of Employment
* This position follows a hybrid work arrangement and requires an onsite presence on campus three days per week during the academic year and two days per week during the summer. The remaining workdays are performed remotely, subject to business needs and university policy.

Mental, Physical, and/or Environmental Requirements
* This position follows a hybrid work arrangement and requires an onsite presence three days per week during the academic year and two days per week during the summer. The remaining workdays may be performed remotely, subject to university policy and departmental business needs. Employees must be able to work effectively in both office and remote environments, including maintaining a dedicated workspace free of excessive noise or distractions, reliable internet connectivity, and the ability to participate in virtual meetings for extended periods. Employees must also be able to independently manage their time and transport necessary equipment (such as a laptop and peripherals) between their remote work location and the office as needed.
* This position requires the ability to sit for extended periods; stand and walk occasionally; reach with hands and arms; use hands to operate a keyboard and mouse; and maintain good near vision for computer work. The position typically requires minimal lifting but may involve occasional bending or reaching to retrieve items from shelves or drawers.
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.
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 .

Employment Sponsorship
Please be advised that this position is not eligible now or in the future for visa sponsorship. Compensation and Benefits
The salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established at $66,600 - $72,921.
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
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Preference will be given to complete applications received by July 29th, 2026. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Required Application Materials:
To apply, please visit: http://www.cu.edu/cu-careers and attach:
* A cover letter which specifically addresses the job requirements and outlines qualifications
* A current CV/resume
* List of three references (we will notify you prior to contacting both on and off-list references)

Questions should be directed to Tawnya Boulier, Tawnya.Boulier@UCDenver.edu

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.