Job Summary

The Leeds School of Business invites applications for the Executive Director of the Burridge Center for Finance! This role is responsible for translating academic vision and strategic priorities into actionable strategies, partnerships, programs, and measurable outcomes that advance the Center's mission and impact. Working in close collaboration with the Faculty Director, the Executive Director ensures that academic priorities are transformed into sustainable initiatives, external partnerships, student opportunities, and operational plans that strengthen the Center's impact, visibility, and long-term success.

The Executive Director acts as the primary bridge between strategic vision and execution. While the Faculty Director defines the Center's intellectual direction, thematic priorities, and thought leadership agenda, the Executive Director develops the implementation roadmap, aligns partners, secures resources, and develops operational plans. The Executive Director is accountable for ensuring that programs, partnerships, and activities are implemented effectively, aligned with institutional priorities, and positioned to create meaningful value for students, alumni, faculty, corporate partners, and the broader business community.

This position also serves as a key relationship manager and collaborator across Leeds and external partners. This includes coordinating with faculty, academic programs, employer relations, advancement, marketing, alumni relations, and other centers to align initiatives and improve impact. Externally, the Executive Director cultivates relationships with corporate partners, advisory board members, alumni, and industry leaders to strengthen engagement, expand opportunities, and enhance the Center's reputation and influence.

The Burridge Center consists of two other employees, one of which is the Director of Operations, who reports to the Executive Director. The Executive Director is responsible for the successful execution of programs, events, partnerships, communications, and administrative processes. The Executive Director establishes priorities, performance expectations, and strategic objectives, while the Director of Operations manages day-to-day coordination, budget, logistics, timelines, reporting, and operational continuity.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Strategic Alliances and External Engagement

• In partnership with the Leeds employer relations team, nurture, build and expand finance industry partnerships to better understand and develop student career pathways while advancing the strategic priorities of Leeds and the Burridge Center
• Handle relationships with Advisory Board members, alumni, and industry leaders to strengthen the Leeds network
• Partner with Leeds faculty to align with research priorities, translate academic insights into accessible thought leadership for practitioners and business leaders and elevate finance thought leadership visibility
• Identify and drive collaborations across Leeds, CU Boulder, and external partners
• Work closely with Leeds Advancement to identify, cultivate, and engage alumni and donor partners in support of strategic Leeds and Center initiatives
• Represent Leeds externally with media and collaborators on financial markets and innovation to expand visibility, influence, and engagement among finance employers of Leeds

Student and Alumni Engagement

• Develop scalable strategies to strengthen connections among students, alumni, and finance industry leaders through programs, events, mentorship, networking, and industry-facing opportunities
• Foster meaningful alumni engagement through partnerships, advisory activities, treks, workshops, and experiential initiatives that strengthen the broader Leeds community and professional network
• Be responsible for student programming, experiential learning opportunities, and engagement initiatives aligned with the Center's mission while ensuring industry engagement supports student learning, professional development, and career outcomes in coordination with undergraduate and graduate program offices
• Collaborate with student organizations, faculty, alumni relations, Leeds Advancement, and Burridge leadership to support student engagement initiatives and grow philanthropic support aligned with Leeds' and the Center's mission
• Ensure high-quality execution, participation, and continuous improvement of student and alumni programs by monitoring engagement outcomes, impact, and collaborator feedback

Strategic Direction and Thought Leadership

• Provide industry insight, in partnership with the Faculty Director, to inform the Center's strategic direction and strengthen the Center's reputation and external engagement.
• Partner with the Faculty Director, Burridge team, and Leeds collaborators to drive high-impact, visibility-enhancing initiatives. Translate the Faculty Director's vision into multi-year strategic plans, high-impact initiatives, operational roadmaps, and measurable outcomes that advance the Center's mission, visibility, and long-term impact. Partner with the Faculty Director, Burridge team, and Leeds collaborators to align strategy, programs, partnerships, and resources with academic priorities and evolving industry opportunities
• Help amplify faculty research to industry, alumni, and media audiences
• Support the academic mission by potentially teaching one undergraduate or graduate course annually
• Serve as a leader with vision through speaking engagements and conferences among finance employers of Leeds

Organizational Leadership, Coordination & Team Management

• Implement strategy through coordinated work across Burridge and Leeds teams. Lead financial planning, performance tracking, staff management, operational processes, communications, and continuous improvement efforts to ensure effective execution, accountability, and sustainable growth across all Center activities
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing team environment
• Support shared decision-making and accountability
• Build strong relationships with key partners within Leeds (undergraduate and graduate programs, Advancement, Employer Relations) to ensure alignment
• Ensure clear communication and smooth execution of initiatives
• Adapt to evolving leadership and organizational needs
• Promote an inclusive, transparent, and purposeful culture
• Provide timely direction and feedback to team including performance planning coaching/progress reviews and appraisals
• Assess strengths and development needs of staff, support employee training, development, and recognition
• Effectively use employee skills and practice appropriate delegations of authority
• Mentor, coach, and ensure professional development opportunities for staff
• Resolve personnel issues and engage staff in collaborative problem solving
• Ensure a supportive and collaborative working environment