Silicon Flatirons Executive Director
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Job Summary
The Silicon Flatirons Center at CU Boulder welcomes applications for an Executive Director! This role is responsible for leading the Center’s strategic vision, fundraising, and external relations while overseeing day-to-day programmatic and administrative functions. Working in close collaboration with staff and faculty directors, the executive director ensures the execution of high-impact programming, supports academic and research initiatives, and mentors students in technology policy and entrepreneurial law.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Leadership & Vision: Develop and implement strategies to advance the Center and Colorado Law’s mission and enhance the Center’s national and global influence.
- Fundraising & External Engagement: Cultivate and maintain relationships with donors, industry leaders, policymakers, Colorado Law’s advancement team, and alumni to secure financial support and expand the Center’s network.
- Program Oversight & Administration: Manage the Center’s operations, including event planning, budgeting, and staff coordination.
- Academic & Research Support: Collaborate with faculty directors and scholars to produce thought leadership, promote research, and enhance educational programming.
- Student Mentorship & Development: Provide guidance and professional development opportunities for students interested in technology law, policy, and entrepreneurship.
The successful candidate's areas of expertise include technology law and policy, innovation and entrepreneurship, and public service. They should be able to:
- Curate and facilitate smart, stimulating discussions on topics such as privacy, artificial intelligence, spectrum and space policy, intellectual property, digital platforms, and emerging business models.
- Foster a nation-leading student experience for individuals pursuing careers in tech policy, emerging companies, and public service.
- Serve as a bridge between academia, industry, and government, offering a community-focused platform that supports innovation and builds social capital.
This is an opportunity for a dynamic and visionary leader to shape the future of technology policy and innovation through a highly respected academic center.
Who We Are
Founded in 2000, the Silicon Flatirons Center is a premier university center housed at Colorado Law within the University of Colorado Boulder. The Center serves students, scholars, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and professionals at the intersection of law, policy, and technology.
Our mission is threefold:
- Elevate the debate surrounding technology policy issues.
- Enable entrepreneurship in the technology community.
- Inspire, prepare, and place students in these critical fields.
With a commitment to intellectually honest programming and community engagement, Silicon Flatirons propels the future of technology policy, drives innovation, and develops professionals ready to lead. We accomplish these goals through thought leadership, research publications, conferences, roundtables, and dynamic events.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
Fundraising and Community Relations:
- Serve as a strategic and proactive fundraiser to support the gift-funded center.
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with donors and collaborators.
- Draft fundraising proposals and steward existing funders.
- Build and promote the Silicon Flatirons brand among leaders, alumni, students, and the broader community.
- Lead advisory board meetings and ensure meaningful partner engagement.
Foster Intellectually Engaging Events and Programs:
- Ensure production of innovative, high-impact events and programs.
- Leverage networks of faculty, researchers, and industry leaders to curate national-level conferences, roundtables, and events.
- Collaborate on conference descriptions, speaker invitations, white papers, event introductions, and panel moderation.
- Maintain Silicon Flatirons’ role as a visionary leader in technology policy, law, and innovation.
Student Engagement:
- Engage students through Silicon Flatirons programming and initiatives.
- Foster connections between CU students and industry professionals.
- Maintain and expand employer relationships and mentorship opportunities.
- Develop pathways for student internships and career placements in tech law, policy, and entrepreneurship.
Center Management and Administration:
- Supervise operational and administrative functions of the Center.
- Supervise, mentor, and manage center staff.
- Collaborate with faculty directors and fellows to complete central initiatives.
- Manage budgeting, lead team meetings, and facilitate effective internal communications.
- Ensure smooth day-to-day operations of Silicon Flatirons.
What You Should Know
This position offers a hybrid work modality. Work hours include a typical Monday-Friday office schedule; however, there will be some regular evening and weekend events that require this position's attendance.
What We Can Offer
The salary range for this position is $137,500-$170,000 annually. Onboarding assistance is available within departmental guidelines.
Benefits
Be Statements
What We Require
- J.D. or other advanced degree.
- 6 years of experience in technology policy and/or related fields.
- Organizational leadership and/or management experience.
- Experience in partnership development, fundraising, and external engagement.
What You Will Need
- Solid understanding of issues and current developments in technology policy and/or expertise around innovation.
- Ability to work with multiple constituencies across the political spectrum.
- Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to build and strengthen partnerships and work collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
- Budget and long-range planning skills.
- Commitment and dedication to public service.
- Ability to engage a variety of audiences and cultivate community among collaborators.
What We Would Like You to Have
- Experience in an academic or high-level policy setting.
- Outstanding writing ability, particularly in legal and policy settings.
- Cross-disciplinary experience (i.e., working with scholars in other fields, such as engineering, economics, and political science).
- Experience working with students.
- Five years of experience in technology policy and/or related fields.
Special Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials:
- A current resume.
- A cover letter that describes how your background and experience align with this position.
We may request references at a later time.
Please apply by June 23, 2025 for consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.
Posting Contact Information
Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources
Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu