University Registrar

Position Details
University of Colorado | Denver
Official Title: Executive Director
Working Title: University Registrar
FTE: Full-time 1.0 (100%) FTE| Hybrid
Salary Range: $115,000 - $120,000
Position #00845275- Requisition #39695
Join the University of Colorado Denver

About the University of Colorado - Denver
Millions of moments start at CU Denver, a place where innovation, research, and learning meet in the heart of a global city. We're the state's premier public urban research university with more than 100 in-demand, top ranked bachelors, master's, and doctoral degree programs. We partner with diverse learners-at any stage of their life and career-for transformative educational experiences. Across seven schools and colleges, our leading faculty inspires and works alongside students to solve complex challenges and produce impactful creative work. As part of the state's largest university system, CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy, with 2,000 employees and an annual economic impact of $800 million. To learn more about how CU Denver helps learners meet their moment, visit ucdenver.edu.

Job Description
* Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers*

The Office of the Registrar serves as the institutional authority on academic records, curriculum and course administration, registration, grading, transfer credit evaluation, degree audit, veteran and military educational benefits certification, non-traditional education programs, and academic policy implementation. The office plays a critical role in ensuring the integrity of the academic record while delivering efficient, student-centered services that support enrollment, persistence, and timely degree completion.

The University Registrar provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all functions related to academic records, registration, curriculum administration, course scheduling, veteran and military-connected student educational benefits certification, transfer and degree audit, and registrar systems. Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management, the Registrar serves as the university's chief steward of the academic record and a key partner in advancing enrollment, persistence, and completion goals.

This role balances policy leadership, systems strategy, compliance oversight, and service excellence, ensuring academic operations are accurate, compliant, scalable, and aligned with institutional priorities. The Registrar collaborates closely with academic leadership, faculty governance, enrollment partners, and information technology to modernize processes, improve data integrity, and enhance the student experience.

University Registrar:
What you will do:

Operational Leadership, Risk & Resource Management

• Provide strategic oversight of the Registrar's Office budget, staffing models, and resource allocation.
• Establish and monitor service standards, performance metrics, and operational benchmarks.
• Identify and mitigate operational, compliance, and data integrity risks to ensure audit readiness.
• Lead large-scale change initiatives impacting academic operations and registrar services.
• Manage external vendor relationships and system partnerships related to registrar functions.

Strategy & Change Management

• Lead and develop a multi-layered Registrar's Office team, fostering accountability, collaboration, and service excellence.
• Establish clear performance expectations, metrics, and professional development pathways.
• Drive modernization initiatives aligned with institutional enrollment and student success strategies.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to enrollment and academic leadership on academic operations and policy matters.
• Provide analysis and projected effects of proposed State and Federal legislation.

Academic Records & Policy Stewardship

• Serve as the institutional authority on academic records, grading, registration, and degree conferral.
• Interpret, implement, and ensure compliance with academic policies, FERPA, and accreditation standards.
• Partner with Faculty Assembly, deans, and academic leadership on curriculum, catalog, and policy changes.
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of transcripts, enrollment certifications, and official academic records.
• Partner with legal counsel concerning subpoenas and other legal matters.

Registration, Curriculum & Scheduling Operations

• Oversee course scheduling, registration processes, and academic calendar administration.
• Ensure registration policies and timelines support enrollment, persistence, and student success.
• Collaborate with colleges/schools to optimize scheduling efficiency and classroom utilization.
• Lead continuous improvement of registration-related processes and service delivery.

Transfer Credit, Degree Audit & Academic Progress

• Provide strategic oversight of transfer credit evaluation and articulation implementation.
• Ensure timely, accurate application of transfer work and degree audit rules.
• Partner with advising, academic units, and student success teams to reduce credit loss and time to degree.
• Use data to identify barriers and opportunities related to progression and completion.

Registrar Systems, Data & Reporting

• Provide executive oversight of student information systems (e.g., PeopleSoft), degree audit, and registrar technologies.
• Partner with OIT and Enrollment Management on system enhancements, integrations, and automation.
• Ensure data accuracy, reporting integrity, and compliance with institutional and external reporting requirements.
• Leverage analytics to inform decision-making and operational improvements.

Veterans Benefits Certification & Compliance Oversight

• Provide institutional oversight for Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits certification, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and Department of Veterans Affairs regulations.
• Supervise and support a dedicated Veterans Benefits Certification team, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant processing of certifications.
• Partner closely with Military & Veteran Services, the Bursar's Office, Financial Aid, and academic units to ensure coordinated service delivery and accurate enrollment and billing information.
• Establish and maintain compliant processes for enrollment verification, tuition and fee reporting, adjustments, and reconciliations related to VA benefits.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate compliance and audit risks related to veterans' educational benefits and reporting.

Qualifications you already possess (Minimum Qualifications)
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in higher education or university institution academic records, registrar office, or another academic operational unit.
• Three (3) years of direct leadership experience managing professional staff and complex operations.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying academic policy and FERPA regulations.

Preferred Qualification to possess (Preferred Qualifications)

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field.
• Experience in a large, complex, or public research university environment.
• Demonstrated success leading systems implementations or large-scale process redesign.
• Experience partnering with faculty governance and academic leadership.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
* Academic records management, registration, curriculum, and degree audit practices.
* FERPA, accreditation standards, and higher education compliance requirements at both the State and Federal level.
* Transcript standards and document retention standards according to national guidelines as established by AACRAO.
* Knowledge of and adherence to the Standards of Professional Practice as published by AACRAO.
* Business process design and process mapping.
* Strategic planning and operational execution.
* Data-informed decision-making and performance management.
* Complex problem-solving and process improvement.
* Lead through influence across academic and administrative partners.
* Translate policy into clear, operational practices.
* Manage competing priorities in a high-volume environment.
* Conduct historical and current-state research to form a basis for decision making.
* Adapt and excel in a continuously changing higher education environment.
* Conduct productive meetings where all voices and opinions are considered.
* Strategic thinker with strong judgment.
* Collaborative, solutions-oriented leadership style.
* Commitment to service excellence and continuous improvement.

Conditions of Employment

• Occasional work during the evening and/or weekends may be required.
• This position is primarily campus-based and requires an on-site presence five (5) days per week. Limited remote work may be approved on an occasional basis, subject to operational needs and supervisor approval.

Mental, Physical, and/or Environmental Requirements

• The ability to sit for extended periods, stand and walk occasionally, reach with hands and arms, use hands to manipulate a keyboard and mouse, and have good near vision for computer work; often requiring minimal lifting, but may involve bending or reaching to retrieve items from shelves or drawers.

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.

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at workplaceengagement@ucdenver.edu.

Employment Sponsorship
Please be advised that this position is not eligible now or in the future for visa sponsorship.

Compensation and Benefits
The salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established at $115,000 - 120,000.
The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty, and training.

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position is not eligible for overtime compensation. Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado Denver provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Benefits: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

Application Deadline
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Preference will be given to complete applications received by May 5, 2026, 11:59PM MST. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Required Application Materials:
To apply, please visit: http://www.cu.edu/cu-careers and attach:

• A cover letter which specifically addresses the job requirements and outlines qualifications
• A current CV/resume
• List of three references (we will notify you prior to contacting both on and off-list references)

Questions should be directed to Ryan Grodman, ryan.grodman@ucdenver.edu.

Background Check Policy
The University of Colorado Denver strives to maintain a safe and productive educational, clinical, research and employment environment. All prospective employees and current employees must, therefore, consent to and pass background checks prior to any final appointment/employment.