Director of Enterprise Risk Management

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.

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.

Duties/Responsibilities

• 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.

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.

Schedule Information

• Full-time, 40 hours per week.
• Exempt.
• Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.
• Evenings and Weekend Work: Occasionally as needed.
• Schedule: Hybrid schedule requiring in person work 3 days a week with the flexibility of some remote work opportunities (subject to supervisor approval).
• In office preferred and minimally three days per week.
• Travel: Some local travel may be needed occasionally.

Salary for Announcement

The anticipated hiring range is $125,000-$145,000. This position is paid monthly and is eligible for MSU Denver benefits.

Instructions to Apply

For full consideration, please submit the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover letter describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position
• Professional references and their contact information will be requested from the finalist/s.
• At least one reference provided must be a supervisor (either current or former).
• Official transcripts will be required of the candidate selected for hire.

Deadline: Applications accepted until position filled.

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Posting Representative: Sophia J Montano

Posting Representative Email: smontan7@msudenver.edu

Benefits

The University’s benefits package is comprehensive and offers medical, vision and dental, free RTD pass, tuition reimbursement, as well as a life and supplemental insurance plans, retirement plans and other programs, such as access to a long-term disability (LTD) plan. Visit MSU Denver’s benefits website to learn more. For a brief overview, please see: here.

Diversity Statement

Metropolitan State University of Denver is a unique, access-oriented campus community that values diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms. Our student population consists of nearly 58% first generation students and over 50% students of color. We are a designated Hispanic Serving Institution located in downtown Denver. We create an equitable learning and working environment in concert with individuals who consistently demonstrate commitment to equity and inclusion. We greatly value the diverse identities and perspectives of our students, faculty, and staff and recognize that in order to achieve a just and equitable society, diversity must go beyond simple representation. It requires critical inquiry and dialogue and a commitment to action. We strive to provide a culture of belonging for all community members to achieve personal and professional success.