Position Details
University of Colorado | Denver
Faculty Level/Title: Professor, Faculty and Director
Working Title: Professor, Director of Construction
FTE: Full-time
Salary Range: $85,000.00 - $130,000.00, 9-month
contract
Position #: 00350978 -
Req #41335
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.
About the College
The College of Engineering, Design and Computing (CEDC) takes pride
in having a faculty of excellent scholars and engineering
practitioners. We attract hard-working students who are
enthusiastic about engineering, and we are redesigning engineering
education to create the agile versatile engineers of the future.
Providing an education of enduring value to our students is at the
heart of our College mission.
We integrate design innovation and computing technology across
disciplines, in conjunction with authentic experiences that develop
human and social skills such as creativity, collaboration,
entrepreneurship, and leadership. We embrace and leverage our
setting across urban and medical campuses to broadly impact the
social and economic growth of the Denver urban corridor through
enterprise partnerships. Our goal is to emerge as Denver's
technological innovation engine and significantly impact Colorado,
the nation, and the world via informatics, infrastructure,
sustainability, as a smart city.
Job Description
* Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers
*
The Department of Civil Engineering and Construction in the College
of Engineering, Design and Computing at the University of Colorado
Denver invites applications for the position of Director of
Construction. We seek an accomplished leader in construction
education, research, and/or professional practice to lead CU
Denver's growing Construction Management and Construction
Engineering Management programs. The successful candidate will
provide strategic leadership for the programs, support and mentor
faculty and students, strengthen industry partnerships, and guide
continued growth in education, research, and external
engagement.
We welcome candidates whose careers bridge academia and
professional practice, including candidates with substantial
leadership experience in the Architecture, Engineering, and
Construction (AEC) industry. Candidates do not need to currently
hold a tenured faculty appointment to be considered. The successful
candidate will receive a faculty appointment in the Department of
Civil Engineering and Construction and a separate four-year
appointment as Director of Construction. Depending on the
candidate's background and qualifications, the faculty appointment
may be as a tenured Associate Professor or Professor or on the
Teaching Professor track.
Teaching duties will be in construction engineering management,
with upcoming needs in Construction Management Fundamentals, Field
Engineering and Management, Materials and Methods, Advanced
Construction Technology, Construction Safety, and Construction
Engineering.
Faculty track and rank will be commensurate with the candidate's
education, experience, qualifications, and career path.
Why CU Denver and Denver
CU Denver's downtown campus places faculty in the heart of a major
metropolitan region, with close connections to construction firms,
public agencies, professional organizations, and industry partners
across Colorado. Denver offers the cultural and professional
resources of a major city, with the Rocky Mountains and extensive
outdoor recreation nearby.
CU Denver combines the resources of the University of Colorado
system with an urban campus closely connected to the community it
serves. Eligible employees have access to health and retirement
benefits, tuition assistance, professional development resources,
and RTD EcoPass transit benefits.
About the Department
The Civil Engineering and Construction department has 10 full-time
tenured and tenure-track faculty, 3 teaching-track faculty, and
many part-time lecturers. The department offers undergraduate and
graduate degrees, including master's and doctoral degrees, in civil
engineering, construction engineering management, and construction
management. The civil engineering program has been accredited
continuously since its inception, and the newer construction
programs were first accredited in 2023. In 2025, the department had
75 graduate students and 310 undergraduate students. Approximately
35% are in the construction programs.
About the Program
The Construction Engineering and Management (CEM) program at the
University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) launched in Fall 2014 as
a graduate specialty of the Master of Engineering in Civil
Engineering in response to local industry requests and support.
Work on two bachelor's degrees began in 2017: the Bachelor of
Science (BS) in Construction Management (CM) and the Bachelor of
Science in Construction Engineering Management (CEM). CEDC moved
forward with both degrees because of interdisciplinary support
throughout the College and across CU Denver, especially from the
College of Architecture and Planning and the Business School. The
two BS degrees were approved by CU Denver, the University of
Colorado Regents, and the Colorado Department of Higher Education
in Fall 2019, launched in August 2020, and accredited by ABET in
2023.
Professor, Director of Construction
What you will do:
The faculty responsibilities associated with this position depend
on the appointment track and reflect the workload distribution
while serving as Director of Construction. A Teaching
Professor-track appointment will include 40% teaching and 60%
service, while a tenure-line appointment will include 20% teaching,
20% research, and 60% service. The 60% service allocation includes
the leadership and administrative responsibilities associated with
the four-year Director appointment. The Director appointment
includes an additional academic year administrative stipend equal
to 7–10% of the faculty base salary. If the Director appointment
ends, the faculty workload would be adjusted consistent with the
individual's faculty track and other assigned
responsibilities.
Lead the Construction Programs
- Recruit, develop, and retain outstanding faculty and staff
- Oversee program ABET accreditation; manage operations and
budget in partnership with department leadership; lead issue
resolution
Grow Enrollment and Program Reach
- Lead strategy to grow and retain undergraduate and graduate
enrollment
- Increase the program's visibility and reputation regionally and
nationally
Advance Academic Quality and Student Experience
- Champion impactful curricular and extracurricular learning
opportunities
- Integrate emerging construction technologies into teaching and
learning
Strengthen Industry Engagement and Fundraising
- Continue to build and activate a strong Industry Advisory Board
(IAB) to support program relevance, student opportunities, and
resource development
- Diversify program revenue streams
Strengthen Research and External Funding
- Support growth in research activity and external funding across
the program
- Support and mentor faculty in developing research and scholarly
activities
Qualifications you already possess (Minimum
Qualifications)
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of
hire.
All candidates:
- Demonstrated leadership experience in academia, the
construction industry, or a closely related setting.
For appointment on the tenure line:
- PhD in Construction Management, Construction Engineering, Civil
Engineering, or a related field.
- A proven record of teaching, research, and service
accomplishments commensurate with unit-level and college
requirements for appointment with tenure at the Associate Professor
or Professor level in the Department of Civil Engineering and
Construction.
For appointment on the Teaching Professor track:
- Terminal degree in Construction Management, Construction
Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent
qualifications and professional experience consistent with the
applicable Teaching Professor-track appointment.
- A proven record of teaching and/or professional accomplishments
commensurate with unit-level and college requirements for
appointment at the applicable rank on the Teaching Professor track
in the Department of Civil Engineering and Construction.
Preferred Qualification to possess (Preferred
Qualifications)
Competitive candidates may demonstrate strengths in several of
the following areas. Candidates are not expected to possess every
preferred qualification.
- Professional experience in or substantial engagement with the
Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry.
- Experience developing industry partnerships, working with
advisory boards, and/or supporting fundraising or external
engagement.
- Experience teaching, training, advising, or mentoring students
or professionals in construction-related fields.
- Experience with accreditation, program assessment, or
continuous improvement; ABET experience is preferred.
- Interest in or experience with emerging construction
technologies, including applications of AI in education, research,
or professional practice.
- Professional Engineer licensure or other relevant professional
license or certification.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Effective communication, interpersonal, and
relationship-building skills.
- Ability to lead collaboratively and support the professional
growth of faculty and staff.
- Strong commitment to undergraduate and graduate education and
student success across a range of backgrounds, educational
pathways, and career goals.
- Ability to guide curriculum and program development in response
to changes in construction education and professional
practice.
Conditions of Employment
- Occasional work during the evening and/or weekends may be
required.
- Working from the office is encouraged particularly when working
on tasks that require a high degree of collaboration.
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 may be eligible now and in the
future for certain visa sponsorship limited to Change of Status
(COS) within the United States or if the candidate meets the
criteria for the portability provision. While the hiring unit is
willing to pursue visa sponsorship, an offer of employment will be
contingent on the candidate having a visa status that allows
employment with the University as of the start date for the
position or the University's petition being approved and on the
candidate being able to obtain the appropriate visa status.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been
established at:
- In addition to the faculty salary listed below, the four-year
Director appointment includes an administrative stipend equal to
7–10% of the faculty base salary.
- Professor: $120,000 - $130,000 per 9-month academic year.
Additional salary for summer months can be sourced from internal
funds for additional duties or external funding.
- Associate Professor: $110,000 - $115,000 per 9-month academic
year. Additional salary for summer months can be sourced from
internal funds for additional duties or external funding.
- Teaching Professor-track appointment: $95,000 - $105,000 per
9-month academic year. Additional salary for summer months can be
sourced from internal funds for additional duties or external
funding.
- Teaching Associate Professor-track appointment: $85,000 -
$95,000 per 9-month academic year. Additional salary for summer
months can be sourced from internal funds for additional duties or
external funding.
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 statement to include in all benefits-eligible positions.
See Eligibility Matrix.
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
January 1, 2027. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not
be considered. Interested applicants are welcome to continue to
apply.
Required Application Materials:
To apply, please visit:
http://www.cu.edu/cu-careers
and attach:
- A one-page cover letter describing interest in the Director of
Construction role and relevant qualifications.
- A current CV/resume.
- A two-page director philosophy.
- The names and contact information of three professional
references. Candidates will be notified before references are
contacted.
Questions should be directed to David Mays,
David.Mays@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.
Qualifications :