Description

About The University

Metropolitan State University of Denver is Colorado’s student-centered public university, offering affordable, high-quality, career-focused education in the heart of downtown Denver – the center of the state’s economic and cultural life. Serving 18,000+ students across 100+ undergraduate and graduate programs, certificates, and credentials, MSU Denver offers small classes taught by expert faculty and provides unparalleled access to internships, career and faculty mentors, and career opportunities with top employers.

MSU Denver is designed for today’s learners: 53% are the first generation in their families to attend college; 57% are students of color; and their average age is 24. With flexible pathways, rolling admissions, and consistent wraparound support, we meet students where they are and walk alongside them on the path to success.

As Colorado’s top transfer destination and a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, MSU Denver is a national leader in advancing equity and spurring social mobility: 75% of our 115,000+ alumni remain in Colorado, impacting communities and fueling industries and innovation. Employers know Roadrunners are ready to contribute on day one.

For six decades, MSU Denver has been redefining who has access to excellent education, delivering an unmatched return on investment for students, families and Colorado’s economy. Be a changemaker at MSU Denver!

About The Department

The Operations Department at MSU Denver delivers integrated, enterprise-wide services that ensure a safe, efficient, and high-performing campus environment in support of the University’s academic mission and student success. The department provides strategic and day-to-day oversight of the institution’s physical assets, service operations, and risk posture, while partnering closely with the Auraria Campus to coordinate across shared campus spaces and campus services.

Collectively, the Operations Department integrates facilities stewardship, capital planning, and enterprise risk management into a cohesive framework that advances institutional effectiveness, enhances the campus experience, and positions MSU Denver for sustainable, long-term success.

Summary

he Director of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) provides strategic leadership for the development, implementation, and ongoing enhancement of the institution’s enterprise risk management framework. Established in response to a Board of Trustees initiative, this role supports informed decision-making, institutional resilience, and effective governance by providing a comprehensive, forward-looking view of the institution’s risk landscape.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Director serves as a key advisor to senior leadership and the Board of Trustees, leading efforts to identify, assess, and monitor both existing and emerging risks that could impact the institution’s strategic objectives.

This is a director-level individual contributor role that works collaboratively across academic and administrative units. As the ERM program matures, the role will expand to include oversight of the internal audit function.

Duties/Responsibilities

Enterprise Risk Management

Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of a comprehensive enterprise risk management framework suited to a higher education environment.
Partner with leaders across the institution to identify, assess, and prioritize enterprise-level risks, including strategic, operational, financial, academic, compliance, reputational, environmental, and emerging risks.
Conduct ongoing, holistic assessments of the institution’s overall risk landscape, identifying trends, interdependencies, and changes in risk exposure.
Establish and maintain processes for identifying and evaluating emerging and evolving risks through environmental scanning and stakeholder engagement.
Develop and maintain the enterprise risk register, including risk descriptions, mitigation strategies, ownership, and monitoring metrics.
Prepare clear, actionable risk reports and presentations for senior leadership, the Risk Committee, and the Board of Trustees.
Integrate ERM into strategic planning, major initiatives, and decision-making processes.
Promote a risk-aware culture by providing guidance, tools, and education to leaders and stakeholders.

Governance and Collaboration

Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on enterprise and emerging risk matters.
Collaborate with Legal, Compliance, Finance, External Affairs, Emergency Management, and other functions to ensure alignment and avoid duplication of effort.
Support institutional resilience, continuity, and response planning efforts.
Monitor external trends, developments, and higher education risk practices to inform the institution’s risk posture.

Oversight of Internal Audit

Provide strategic oversight of the internal audit function to ensure alignment with enterprise risks and institutional priorities.
Support risk-based audit planning and reporting in collaboration with internal and external partners.
Strengthen the connection between audit findings, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement efforts.

Requirements

Required Qualifications 

Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, finance, risk management, or a related field.
Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in enterprise risk management, internal audit, compliance, governance, or a related area.
Experience building, enhancing, or maturing risk management processes or frameworks.
Strong analytical, facilitation, and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex risk concepts for diverse audiences.
Experience working with senior leadership and governing boards.

Preferred Qualifications 

Master’s degree in a related field.
Professional certifications such as CRMA, CPA, CIA, or similar.
Experience in higher education, the public sector, or similarly complex organizations.
Experience with assurance or internal audit functions.

Key Competencies

Strategic and systems-oriented thinking
Ability to influence without formal authority
Sound judgment and discretion
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Comfort operating in evolving and ambiguous environments
Collaborative, relationship-driven approach