Executive Director of the Burridge Center for Finance
Requisition Number: 73055
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: University Staff
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 16-Jul-2026
Date Posted:
Job Summary
The Leeds School of Business invites applications for the Executive Director of the Burridge Center for Finance! This role is responsible for translating academic vision and strategic priorities into actionable strategies, partnerships, programs, and measurable outcomes that advance the Center's mission and impact. Working in close collaboration with the Faculty Director, the Executive Director ensures that academic priorities are transformed into sustainable initiatives, external partnerships, student opportunities, and operational plans that strengthen the Center's impact, visibility, and long-term success.
The Executive Director acts as the primary bridge between strategic vision and execution. While the Faculty Director defines the Center's intellectual direction, thematic priorities, and thought leadership agenda, the Executive Director develops the implementation roadmap, aligns partners, secures resources, and develops operational plans. The Executive Director is accountable for ensuring that programs, partnerships, and activities are implemented effectively, aligned with institutional priorities, and positioned to create meaningful value for students, alumni, faculty, corporate partners, and the broader business community.
This position also serves as a key relationship manager and collaborator across Leeds and external partners. This includes coordinating with faculty, academic programs, employer relations, advancement, marketing, alumni relations, and other centers to align initiatives and improve impact. Externally, the Executive Director cultivates relationships with corporate partners, advisory board members, alumni, and industry leaders to strengthen engagement, expand opportunities, and enhance the Center's reputation and influence.
The Burridge Center consists of two other employees, one of which is the Director of Operations, who reports to the Executive Director. The Executive Director is responsible for the successful execution of programs, events, partnerships, communications, and administrative processes. The Executive Director establishes priorities, performance expectations, and strategic objectives, while the Director of Operations manages day-to-day coordination, budget, logistics, timelines, reporting, and operational continuity.
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.
Who We Are
At Leeds, we have an outstanding vantage point, and while we're located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, we're not talking about the scenery. Set in the heart of Boulder, Colorado-one of the nation's most vibrant business communities-Leeds offers unparalleled access to world-changing entrepreneurs, national research institutions and award-winning faculty!
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
Strategic Alliances and External Engagement
In partnership with the Leeds employer relations team, nurture, build and expand finance industry partnerships to better understand and develop student career pathways while advancing the strategic priorities of Leeds and the Burridge Center
Handle relationships with Advisory Board members, alumni, and industry leaders to strengthen the Leeds network
Partner with Leeds faculty to align with research priorities, translate academic insights into accessible thought leadership for practitioners and business leaders and elevate finance thought leadership visibility
Identify and drive collaborations across Leeds, CU Boulder, and external partners
Work closely with Leeds Advancement to identify, cultivate, and engage alumni and donor partners in support of strategic Leeds and Center initiatives
Represent Leeds externally with media and collaborators on financial markets and innovation to expand visibility, influence, and engagement among finance employers of Leeds
Student and Alumni Engagement
Develop scalable strategies to strengthen connections among students, alumni, and finance industry leaders through programs, events, mentorship, networking, and industry-facing opportunities
Foster meaningful alumni engagement through partnerships, advisory activities, treks, workshops, and experiential initiatives that strengthen the broader Leeds community and professional network
Be responsible for student programming, experiential learning opportunities, and engagement initiatives aligned with the Center's mission while ensuring industry engagement supports student learning, professional development, and career outcomes in coordination with undergraduate and graduate program offices
Collaborate with student organizations, faculty, alumni relations, Leeds Advancement, and Burridge leadership to support student engagement initiatives and grow philanthropic support aligned with Leeds' and the Center's mission
Ensure high-quality execution, participation, and continuous improvement of student and alumni programs by monitoring engagement outcomes, impact, and collaborator feedback
Strategic Direction and Thought Leadership
Provide industry insight, in partnership with the Faculty Director, to inform the Center's strategic direction and strengthen the Center's reputation and external engagement.
Partner with the Faculty Director, Burridge team, and Leeds collaborators to drive high-impact, visibility-enhancing initiatives. Translate the Faculty Director's vision into multi-year strategic plans, high-impact initiatives, operational roadmaps, and measurable outcomes that advance the Center's mission, visibility, and long-term impact. Partner with the Faculty Director, Burridge team, and Leeds collaborators to align strategy, programs, partnerships, and resources with academic priorities and evolving industry opportunities
Help amplify faculty research to industry, alumni, and media audiences
Support the academic mission by potentially teaching one undergraduate or graduate course annually
Serve as a leader with vision through speaking engagements and conferences among finance employers of Leeds
Organizational Leadership, Coordination & Team Management
Implement strategy through coordinated work across Burridge and Leeds teams. Lead financial planning, performance tracking, staff management, operational processes, communications, and continuous improvement efforts to ensure effective execution, accountability, and sustainable growth across all Center activities
Foster a collaborative, high-performing team environment
Support shared decision-making and accountability
Build strong relationships with key partners within Leeds (undergraduate and graduate programs, Advancement, Employer Relations) to ensure alignment
Ensure clear communication and smooth execution of initiatives
Adapt to evolving leadership and organizational needs
Promote an inclusive, transparent, and purposeful culture
Provide timely direction and feedback to team including performance planning coaching/progress reviews and appraisals
Assess strengths and development needs of staff, support employee training, development, and recognition
Effectively use employee skills and practice appropriate delegations of authority
Mentor, coach, and ensure professional development opportunities for staff
Resolve personnel issues and engage staff in collaborative problem solving
Ensure a supportive and collaborative working environment
What You Should Know
Monday-Friday, approximately 8am-5pm.
Hybrid work modality with 3 days on campus and 2 days remote per week.
Some occasional travel (3-6x a year) will be required as well as working approximately 3 evenings per month.
What We Can Offer
The annual salary range for this full-time position is $185,000-$210,000. Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates.
Benefits
At the University of Colorado Boulder (https://www.colorado.edu/) , we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package (https://www.colorado.edu/jobs/benefits) includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage (https://advantage.cu.edu/campus/cu-boulder) program.
Be Statements
Be creative. Be impactful. Be Boulder.
What We Require
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in finance, business or a related field and 6+ years of professional experience in finance or a related industry
An equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute
Prior engagement with universities or academic institutions (for example advisory boards, adjunct teaching, guest lecturing, or similar involvement)
What You Will Need
Collaborative leadership and servant attitude
Approaches the role as an integral member of the broader Burridge and Leeds ecosystem, collaborating closely with faculty, Burridge staff, and undergraduate and graduate program teams to advance shared priorities
Prioritizes shared success and long-term institutional impact over individual recognition
Works constructively with faculty leadership, staff, advancement professionals, and external partners
Able to translate academic goals set by faculty into external engagement opportunities
Receptive to guidance and feedback and comfortable operating within a faculty-led organizational structure
Demonstrates the ability to complete priorities set by the Faculty Director, operating with accountability, responsiveness, and alignment within a faculty-led structure
Values collaboration and continuity
Trusted relationship builder
Develops authentic, long-term relationships with industry leaders, alumni, and collaborators
Engages effectively with a wide range of constituencies including faculty, students, administrators, and senior executives
Recognized for integrity, follow-through, and the ability to build trust across groups
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with senior professionals
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Collaborative partnership with faculty leadership
Ability to navigate complex organizations
Comfortable operating within the collaborative and shared-governance environment of a university
Able to work effectively across multiple collaborators and units within Leeds and the broader University
Adaptability around transitioning academic leadership
Commitment to institutional mission
Able to clearly articulate the mission and priorities of the Burridge Center
Works to ensure Burridge initiatives align with and support the broader mission of the Leeds School of Business and the University of Colorado Boulder
Finds opportunities where the Center can contribute to the strategic priorities of the School and University
Connector between academia and industry
Understands the value of linking academic research, teaching, and industry practice
Able to translate industry insights into opportunities that benefit faculty, students, and the broader Leeds community
Familiarity with higher education institutions and their operating environment
Special Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials:
A current resume.
A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.
We may request references at a later time. Please apply by July 16, 2026 for consideration. Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs (https://jobs.colorado.edu/) .
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Executive-Director-of-the-Burridge-Center-for-Finance/73055 (https://apptrkr.com/7268066)
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The University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, pregnancy, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, or political philosophy. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.
