Director of Programming, OLLI

Director of Programming, OLLI

Job no: 498857
Work type: Staff Full-Time
Location: Denver, CO
Categories: Business Operations / Services, Admin / Executive / Office Support
Division: College of Professional Studies

About the University of Denver

The University of Denver (DU), a private university, is the oldest independent university in the Rocky Mountain region, with over 12,000 students in undergraduate and graduate programs. DU is classified as an R1: Doctoral University. As a top-tier private institution, we are dedicated to making positive change in the world through innovative education, lifelong learning, and community contribution.

About OLLI at DU

OLLI at DU is a vibrant lifelong learning community serving over 2,000 members annually - adults aged 50 and older. Our mission is to enrich the lives of our members through a high-quality learning and social environment. We offer a wide range of courses, lectures, webinars, social events, and travel opportunities across five metro Denver locations and online. Our member-driven organizationrelies on volunteer facilitators who share their expertise and passion with fellow learners. OLLI at DU, part of a national network of more than 120 Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes, is the College of Professional Studies' community-centered home for lifelong learning.

Position Summary

The Director of Programming provides leadership and oversight for OLLI at DU's full program portfolio, ensuring high-quality educational experiences and strong member engagement across classes, events, trips, and special programs. Reporting to the Executive Director and supervising the Program Coordinator, this position is critical to OLLI's sustainability and growth, combining strategic program planning with hands-on facilitator recruitment, development, and retention.

The successful candidate will oversee curriculum quality while building relationships with facilitators, educators, subject matter experts, and community partners, and will support member engagement initiatives that foster a vibrant learning community.

Essential Functions

Program Leadership & Curriculum Oversight

Portfolio Oversight: Provide leadership and oversight for courses across five locations and online, ensuring high-quality content, delivery, diverse curriculum, and continuity
Committee Leadership: Lead site and core curriculum committees, engaging members as strategic partners in curriculum development, facilitator recruitment, and program quality
Data-Informed Planning: Review program data including enrollment, cancellations, and trends to inform strategic decisions and curriculum development
Course Proposal Process: Redesign, launch, and manage a streamlined course proposal process - including editing, member review, and approval - to ensure high-quality offerings, compelling course descriptions, and a positive facilitator experience
Special Events & Initiatives: Lead organization-wide special events and major program initiatives
Membership Committee: Provide leadership for the Membership Committee, participating in committee meetings to ensure delivery of high-quality, consistent member experiences
Site & Community Programs: In collaboration with the Executive Director and Operations Manager, identify potential sites and speakers, support program planning, and contribute to the evaluation of programs at senior communities to advance OLLI's growth
Travel Program: In collaboration with the Operations Manager, identify, develop, and schedule academic content and facilitators to align with and enhance the travel program
Innovation: Research and explore potential new initiatives for OLLI at DU, providing recommendations and analysis while securing Executive Director approval before implementation
Facilitator Recruitment, Development & Engagement Recruitment Strategy: Develop and implement a comprehensive facilitator recruitment strategy drawing from OLLI members, education retirees, DU faculty and staff, school districts, community organizations, museums, cultural institutions, and businesses
Candidate Support: Screen all facilitator candidates, guide them through course proposal development, and provide individualized support
Training & Development: Develop and deliver pre-term training workshops and coordinate "How to Facilitate an OLLI Class" training for prospective and new facilitators
Facilitator Engagement: Lead facilitator engagement initiatives including mentor program, communications, and recognition strategy to build community and encourage retention
Feedback & Evaluation: Review facilitator evaluations and surveys; provide supportive and constructive feedback to facilitators
Supervision & Collaboration Team Supervision: Supervise the Program Coordinator, providing guidance, professional development, and ongoing support
Organizational Collaboration: Collaborate effectively with the Executive Director, Operations Manager, and other staff to advance OLLI's mission and strategic priorities
Reporting: Prepare reports and presentations on program performance, enrollment trends, and strategic initiatives for the Executive Director
Financial & Administrative Operations Honoraria & Payments: Manage payment and honoraria for paid speakers, ensuring timely and accurate processing
Budget Management: Provide input on and manage the annual budget dedicated to program delivery and facilitator recruitment and retention
Leadership & Collaboration Strategic Planning: Contribute to strategic planning and shape OLLI's vision for programs, member engagement, and growth
Team Culture: Foster a collaborative, supportive team culture and model commitment to OLLI's mission, values, and member-centered approach
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work collaboratively across the organization to advance shared goals and respond to emerging needs and opportunities
Policy Development: Develop and implement program policies and procedures to ensure consistency, quality, and alignment with organizational standards
Sector Awareness: Stay current on trends in lifelong learning and adult education to inform program innovation and best practices
National Network Engagement: Actively engage with the OLLI National Resource Center and peer institutes to exchange best practices, explore collaborative opportunities, and bring innovative ideas to OLLI at DU
Site Operations Support On-Site Coordination: Serve as on-site coordinator approximately two days per week during terms, overseeing facility access, AV and room setup, welcome table preparation, coffee service as applicable, facilitator support, member greeting, and end-of-day cleanup; conduct brief check-ins during sessions to ensure smooth operations and class quality
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to engage diverse stakeholders including members, educators, community partners, and volunteers
Strong program management experience with demonstrated ability to ensure curriculum quality across multiple sites and delivery formats
Experience recruiting, training, and supporting volunteers or facilitators in educational or nonprofit settings
Data analysis skills with ability to inform strategic decisions and improve program outcomes
Excellent communication skills with ability to provide constructive feedback, recognition, and deliver training programs
Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholder relationships
Ability to work collaboratively, supervise effectively, and contribute as a team member
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and database or learning management systems
Proven ability to effectively use AI-powered tools to streamline workflows, generate insights, and support program delivery
Commitment to lifelong learning, adult education, and creating inclusive learning environments
Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred
Minimum 7 years of experience in program management, curriculum development, adult education, or nonprofit leadership
Demonstrated experience recruiting, training, and supporting volunteers, facilitators, or instructors
Experience managing multiple programs with proven ability to ensure quality and consistency
Proven exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills with the ability to engage, influence, and collaborate effectively across diverse audiences and stakeholder groups
Preferred Qualifications Master's degree in education, nonprofit management, or related field
Experience in lifelong learning, adult education, or senior programs
Demonstrated success building community partnerships with cultural institutions, businesses, or educational organizations
Working Environment Standard office environment with regular travel to program sites across metro Denver
Occasional evening and weekend work for events, training sessions, and program observations
Moderate stress level with multiple concurrent priorities and stakeholder needs
Physical Activities Ability to sit in front of a computer for extended periods
Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds occasionally
May be required to move office furniture such as tables and chairs for meetings or events
Occasionally required to travel to multiple sites

Work Schedule

This is a full-time benefited position with flexible scheduling to accommodate site visits, member events, and facilitator meetings. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required. Hybrid work arrangements may be available in consultation with the Executive Director and in accordance with the University's remote work policies.

Reporting Relationship

This position reports to the Executive Director of OLLI at DU and includes direct supervision of the Program Coordinator.

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.

Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) July 8, 2026.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 12.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $75,000-$78,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate's sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University's educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non-Discrimination-Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history and National Sex Offender Registry background check.

Advertised: June 24, 2026
Applications close: July 08, 2026

Whatsapp Facebook LinkedIn Email App