ANNOUNCEMENT OF POSITION VACANCY
Title (Function): Executive Director, CMU Ruth Powell Hutchins Water Center
Department: External Relations
Reporting To: VP External Relations/Chief of Staff
FLSA Status: Exempt
Compensation: $95,000.00-115,000.00. Commensurate with education and experience. Excellent health and retirement benefits package: Click here for more information!
Open Date: 04/14/2025
Close Date: 05/04/2025 11:59 PM MST
SECTION I – OUR VALUES CULTIVATE OUR VISION AND CULTURE
At CMU, we believe in acting from a foundation of goodwill. This belief gives us the courage to form meaningful relationships, embark on joint endeavors and take risks in the pursuit of new possibilities. It’s this courage that enables the Mavily to explore new ways of thinking and doing, knowing that there is no perfect solution, no perfect idea.
From this place of humility and courage, we’ve built a culture of resilience. We invest in the future by continuously adapting to change, overcoming challenges, and seizing new opportunities. We recognize that change is constant, and our resilience allows us to embrace it with confidence. Endless curiosity drives us to approach the unexpected as if it were expected, seeing opportunities for discovery and renewal in every challenge. In this community rooted in love and dignity, curiosity thrives, leading to endless opportunities for growth and advancement.
Inspired by the soul of the West—the spirit that our region embodies—we emerge as a force for positive change, harnessing our collective power to build a Human Scale University that reflects our values and brings to life our shared vision of the world we aspire to create.
Colorado Mesa University Core Values
Love – Extending oneself for nurturing the growth of self and others
Dignity – Respecting the intrinsic value of each person and believing that others act from a foundation of goodwill
Courage – Taking risks in the pursuit of new possibilities
Humility – Suspending one’s ego and pride to recognize that no idea is perfect and being open to the input of others
Resiliency – Investing in the future by adapting to changes, overcoming challenges and pursuing Opportunity
Curiosity – Cultivating awe and exploring the unknown
Power – The strength to act collaboratively with individual agency to achieve our goals
SECTION II – THE SEAT
At CMU, we look at every position as a seat. Every seat is vital and the individual in the seat contributes significantly to our mission of providing an affordable and accessible education and forming meaningful and mutually enriching partnerships that support the well-being and vibrancy of our community. As a human centric organization, a priority is to ensure we have the “right seats” in our organization, and that the expectations, ownership and accountabilities are defined and communicated clearly for the success of the individuals holding the seats.
The leader in this seat will lead, direct and manage the Ruth Powell Hutchins Water Center at CMU (the “Water Center”) and carry out its associated fundraising efforts. This person works collaboratively with a Board of Directors, a technical advisory committee, the CMU Leadership Team, key academic departments and a wide range of interested stakeholders across the region to fulfil the mission of the Water Center specifically and of Colorado Mesa University generally.
OVERVIEW AND SCOPE OF TEAM AND/OR TASKS
CMU seeks a dynamic leader to lead in the reinvigoration of the Water Center through systematic organizational development, strategic planning, and impactful programming. In January 2025, the Colorado River District (“CRD”) and CMU committed $600,000 through a three-year grant to support capacity building, staff, and strategic planning. This funding is an opportunity for an innovative, dynamic, and resourceful Executive Director to reestablish the Water Center to serve as a driving force for producing, sharing, and informing constituents of the Upper Colorado River Basin and Western Colorado water research and interests.
Background: What began as the Mesa County Water Association in the late 1980’s became the CMU Water Center in 2011. Guided by an all-volunteer Technical Advisory Council, the organization within CMU focuses on performing and coordinating interdisciplinary research, education and dialogue to address water issues facing the Upper Colorado River Basin. In 2015 the CMU Water Center was renamed the Ruth Powell Hutchins Water Center to honor the legacy of “the warrior in irrigation boots,” Ruth Powell Hutchins, one of the original founders of the Mesa County Water Association. Through the recent grant to build a strong organizational foundation, CRD and CMU envision the Executive Director will lead the Water Center in achieving its vision of serving as nonpartisan hub for water policy, academic education and applied research rooted in West Slope knowledge and expertise, fostering leadership, dialogue, and innovation in water resource management.
The leader in this seat is responsible for the overall direction, coordination and execution of the Water Center. This includes, and is not limited to:
Organization Sustainability and Strategy:
• Development of short-term and long-term strategic plans for the Water Center through the guidance of the Board of Directors and a strategic consultant.
• Facilitating technical advisory committee engagement to enhance programming, research, and other programmatic operations.
• Engage and seek guidance from the Water Center Board of Directors. The Board will provide policy, political, and fundraising guidance for the position.
• Fundraising and sponsorship development to secure a sustainable budget for the Water Center.The fiscal oversight of the Center will be conducted by CMU and the CMU Foundation. The Board of Directors will assist the Executive Director in identifying and pursuing outside funding opportunities (grants, donations, etc.) that align with the mission of the Water Center.
Partnerships and External Outreach:
• Serve as main voice of the Water Center for all internal/external media, stakeholder, and partner engagement Foster and maintain partnerships across the Western Slope of Colorado to enhance the impact and mission of the Water Center.
Programming:
• Managing the full portfolio of Water Center programming which includes:
• Project facilitation, coordination, and distribution of applied research and data collection
• Public policy research, convenings, and education activities
• Student development & workforce advancement
• Education and events on campus and in the community
• Serve as trusted resource and foster engagement for Colorado Mesa University students and faculty for Water Center related activities.
• As part of the expectations of this position, the person will initiate and develop relationships with community members, CMU faculty members and community organizations to promote the university and its programs. The position will also facilitate relationships with other higher education institutions and water centers.
• Promote and support water-related applied research
SECTION III – OUR DESIRES FOR RIGHT FIT
For the success of our mission and our teams, we desire to have individuals who are a “Right Fit” in our seats. We define “Right Fit” as those who embrace our culture, demonstrate our values, understand the seat and what is required. We seek individuals who want this seat, desire to be a part of a bigger vision and have the capacity to be a successful member of our CMU team.
CAPACITY REQUIREMENTS
• Has proven success at building positive relationships with diverse stakeholders in the water policy arena.
• Supervises work in a manner that is kind, direct, and provides feedback for growth.
• Preferred experience in managing organizational development and fiscal sustainability.
• Preferred experience working with a board.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• Demonstrated project management experience.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising and sponsorship development experience.
• Willingness to learn on the job and with humble confidence.
• Must be able to collect and analyze data to use for presenting recommendations.
• Ability to use technology necessary for this position – word, excel, and learn software packages.
• Must have excellent interpersonal and group communication skills.
• Must be mobile to get around campus.
• Must be able to drive to necessary stakeholder meetings and events around the region and State.
ESSENTIALS TO BE SUCCESSFULThe position requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education; an advanced degree or demonstrated experience is preferred. Position also requires demonstrated, substantial experience managing complex multi-varied organizations with expertise in the field of Western water issues (e.g. water science, engineering, policy, law and/or management).
Experience working for a board of directors is preferred.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
DISCLAIMER – This position description is only a summary of the typical functions of this seat, and not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and areas of accountability.
DIRECT INQUIRIES CONTACT: Derek Wagner, dawagner@coloradomesa.edu
HOW TO APPLY: Applicants will be asked to complete an online application by creating a profile and then providing personal and demographic information. In addition, please be prepared to upload a:
• Cover letter
• Resume
• Include the name, phone number, email address and relationship of at least three professional references who can attest to your ability to perform the job you are applying for. Professional references should include at least one current or former supervisor. Professional reference may also include current or former employers, colleagues or other professionals who have first-hand knowledge and can recommend you for employment.
• Copy of transcripts for all degrees completed (if your transcripts include a social security number or birthdate, please redact that information before uploading the document. Official transcripts will be required upon hire)
ABOUT COLORADO MESA UNIVERSITY
A comprehensive university in Grand Junction, Colorado Mesa University provides exceptional educational opportunities on a state-of-the-art campus. As western Colorado’s largest university, CMU serves students on its main campus in Grand Junction, its satellite campus in Montrose, its technical college, CMU Tech, and via online offerings.
Colorado Mesa University serves as the primary intellectual and cultural center of western Colorado and promotes the exchange of ideas that are of regional, national, and international importance. Founded in 1925, it is a dynamic university enrolling 10,000 students at the associate, baccalaureate, and graduate levels.
At the heart of the CMU experience is an integrative and experiential approach to higher education that encourages students to think differently and empowers them to challenge assumptions. CMU brings students together with expert scholars and thinkers from different disciplines to make connections between ideas and gain the skills to solve the unstructured, complex problems they will encounter in life. Our focus is on providing quality academic programs, built on a strong liberal arts core that supports students’ interests and regional employment needs, as well as technical programs that respond to vocational workforce demands.
The Grand Valley is home to some of the best outdoor recreation in the state of Colorado and you will not have to fight traffic and crowds to enjoy it. CMU is surrounded by the Grand Mesa, Book Cliffs, and the Colorado National Monument. We have world-class mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, rafting, and a mountain resort that’s less than 45 minutes from campus for skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing. Living and working in Grand Junction, you will be able to explore one of Colorado’s best kept secrets.
Colorado Mesa University is particularly interested in candidates who have experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and who have a demonstrated commitment to improving the levels of access and success for underrepresented students within higher education.
Colorado Mesa University is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history. Applicant must be able to verify U.S. employment eligibility. Colorado Mesa University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a culturally diverse faculty, staff and student body. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact the CMU Human Resources Office by phone or email. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and the type of accommodation needed.
