Director of Centennial Institute
Description
About the Job
The Centennial Institute exists to educate and empower Colorado Christian University students with a Christian, conservative, evangelical worldview, impact the culture, fostering a deep understanding of faith, freedom, and the university’s Strategic Priorities through academic lectures, thought-provoking workshops, and engagement in public policy initiatives.
The vision is to cultivate a generation of principled Colorado Christian University graduates grounded in conservative values and guided by Christian principles, shaping a future where evangelism, liberty, and individual responsibility thrive.
The overall purpose is: 1) equip CCU students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to thoughtfully engage in public discourse, espouse conservative ideals, and winsomely promote biblical Christian principles. 2) Foster a culture of informed citizenship, ethical leadership, and church membership. 3) Boldly proclaim their faith, defend moral principles, and influence culture and public policy with an unwavering commitment to the teachings of Jesus Christ. 4) Grow the Public Policy program at CCU, providing an academic practicum for meaningful careers in government, public policy, and the non-profit sector of society. 5) Have a positive Christ-like impact on the culture.
The Director of the Centennial Institute is responsible for leading the institute’s operation through a sound conservative strategy that includes generating revenues to meet the budge demands. The position reports directly to the CAO/Provost of Colorado Christian University and will work with the President's Executive Leadership Team.
Must have a successful track record and experience displaying a proven conservative ideology in leading public policy issues, think tanks, or key public issues. This person will have advanced statesmanship experience complemented by outstanding oral/written communication skills. Must be able to successfully plan events, lead and supervise a team.
About CCU
Colorado Christian University is the premier interdenominational Christian university in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region, delivering world class education to thousands of students. The fully accredited, nonprofit University is located in Lakewood, Colorado, a suburb of Denver.
Colorado Christian University was founded in 1914. CCU’s motto is--grace and truth. This motto comes from John 1.14: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (ESV)
CCU's mission is Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth.
Colorado Christian University cultivates knowledge and love of God in a Christ-centered community of learners and scholars, with an enduring commitment to the integration of exemplary academics, spiritual formation, and engagement with the world. We envision graduates who think critically and creatively, lead with high ethical and professional standards, embody the character and compassion of Jesus Christ, treasure the gospel, and who thereby are prepared to impact the world in their callings.
CCU’s embraces an educational model that was there at the foundation of many of the great western and American universities. It is made up of three pillars—competence, character and Christ-centered faith. We believe this classical educational model is both life-giving and greatly needed in our time.
A leader in higher education, CCU has been consistently ranked in the top 2 percent of colleges and universities nationwide for its core curriculum by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. CCU has had ten consecutive years of enrollment growth and has been named one of the five fastest-growing master’s granting universities by The Chronicle of Higher Education.
CCU offers more than 200 degree program options for traditional and adult students through its two colleges--the College of Undergraduate Studies and College of Adult and Graduate Studies. More than 9,000 students attend the University on the main campus, in regional centers throughout Colorado, and online.
What is most appealing about working at CCU?
- Faith friendly: CCU’s culture is unique to higher education. Where else can you pursue academic excellence yet read the Holy Bible, pray with teammates and students at work, and work to impact our culture in support of Christian values?
- Convictionally Christian: As a university, we have an enduring commitment to Christ, his kingdom and the truth of God’s Word.
- Live out your calling: We are a traditional evangelical university where you can invest your God-given talents and abilities alongside coworkers and teammates, while having a profound influence on students as they deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ.
- Equip students for kingdom work: You can be a part of helping students discover their callings and preparing them for positions of significant leadership in the church, business, government, education, and other professions, as a key part of our University's Strategic Priorities.
The Director of the Centennial Institute Competencies
- Eight to ten years of experience displaying a proven conservative ideology in leading public policy issues, think tanks, or key public issues. Must have strong administrative skills and be able to work with and attract key public figures. Master's degree or equivalent preferred.
- Is a mature traditional evangelical believer who can engage others in a Christian manner and can nurture others to grow in their evangelical faith.
- A passion for Christian higher education, CCU’s mission, Statement of Faith and Convictions Statement, Lifestyle Expectations, Strategic Priorities, and the vision of the President.
- Extensive experience managing and meeting complex budgets, personnel, and strategic planning processes.
- Strong communicator, both verbal and written. Must be able to facilitate events and conferences and is personable with a collaborative style.
- A sophisticated understanding of public policy and CCU's Strategic Priorities. Must have strong marketing skills for each and use various media types for promoting Truth.
- Facilitate process improvements and efficiency.
- Service oriented and demonstrates servant leadership.
- Understand how to use technology, i.e., MS Office and other software.
Responsibilities
Advancing the Institute's Mission
- Provide strategic direction to align the Institute’s initiatives with the values of Colorado Christian University’s Christ-centered higher education mission, the Strategic Priorities and Conservative principles.
Public Policy Research and Student Advocacy
- Engage with policymakers, scholars, and the public to influence academic instruction, student debates, faculty instruction, student outcomes, and produce student-facing (involved) ‘think tank’ research.
Student-Facing and Interactive Programs
- Develop, grow, and implement an interactive public policy program that directly involves, benefits, and educates CCU (CUS and CAGS) students.
Teaching and Campus Lecturers
- Teach courses related to public policy, Centennial Institute electives, and organize campus lectures to foster academic and public instruction and academic discourse.
Event Planning and Management
- Plan and execute a range of events, including conferences, lectures, and seminars, to promote the Centennial Institute internally, to deliver campus discourse, and educate students on important policy issues.
Public Relations and Outreach
- Serve as the public face of the Centennial Institute, building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, and enhancing the Institute’s visibility.
Fundraising and Development
- Identify and pursue funding opportunities to support the Institute’s programs and initiatives.
Administrative Oversight
- Manage the Institute’s budget and resources, supervise staff, and ensure compliance with university policies.
Job Duties – Vital Focus
- Prescribed KPIs by the CAO/Provost; ensuring all CI events, publications, activities, and operations to be quantified, measured, sustainable, and appropriately strategic in representing CCU's Strategic Priorities and the Christ-centered higher education.
- Impact our culture in support of traditional family values, the sanctity of life, compassion for the poor, biblical view of human nature, limited government, personal freedom, free markets, natural law, the original intent of the U.S. Constitution, and Western civilization.
- Lead, produce, and oversee continual, relevant, 'think tank' research, white papers to educate, inform, and enhance understanding of the most important issues facing our state and nation.
- Raise all necessary budgetary (fiscally assigned) philanthropy to execute a solvent and sustainable CI operational budget while raising brand awareness for the Centennial Institute (CI) at Colorado Christian University.
- In collegial association, work with University Advancement to personally oversee and lead (manage and direct) event revenue, sponsorships, grant writing proposals and philanthropy.
- Lead the CI staff/team; assigning and managing determined CI strategies and outcome objectives6. Deliver content to the populace, by analyzing public policy and seeking to influence legislation by framing alternative viewpoints, opinions (op/Eds), and advocating (locally, nationally) for conservative values and ideologies on the most pressing conservative issues of the day; encourage competitive politics and Constitutional defense.
- Enlarge a network of speakers and experts to discuss, speak on, and debate current issues facing our state and nation on campus and before our student body, making these lectures and events available to the public.
- Operate all social media (personal and CI) with academic, intellectual, and respectable messaging ('content'); always consider CCU offering respectful decorum.
- Perform other related duties as assigned by the CAO/Provost or President.
Work Environment
While performing the duties of this job, you may be required to walk, stand, sit, reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, speak with clarity, and have appropriate vision and hearing capabilities. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. You may be required to work occasional irregular hours, including some nights and weekends. Colorado Christian University expects all faculty and staff to become a part of the University community by participating in activities and events that occur on the campus throughout the year, which may occur during evenings and weekends. Must be able to travel up to 30%.
While performing the duties of this job, you may be required to walk, stand, sit, reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, speak with clarity, and have appropriate vision and hearing capabilities. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. You may be required to work occasional irregular hours, including some nights and weekends. Colorado Christian University expects all faculty and staff to become a part of the University community by participating in activities and events that occur on the campus throughout the year, which may occur during evenings and weekends. Must be able to travel up to 30%.
What we Offer Our Employees
We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages to all employees. Our benefit package includes: a tuition waiver program, excellent healthcare, generous paid time off, matching 403(b) retirement plan, and additional organizational paid benefits and voluntary benefit offerings.
Colorado Christian University’s pay philosophy is based on internal and external data for pay equity; along with budgetary considerations for effective stewardship. Pay will be assigned based on relevant experience at a range of $125,000 - $130,000 annually. We reserve the right to pay an equitable rate that we believe is within our salary structure or that may fit a candidate’s qualifications or experience for the job. A wage range posted is not a guarantee of a specific wage range for a job offer. CCU reserves the right to make pay decisions based on economic and equity considerations to attract the best possible talent. CCU does not determine pay based on sex or any other protected status.
Colorado Christian University’s pay philosophy is based on internal and external data for pay equity; along with budgetary considerations for effective stewardship. Pay will be assigned based on relevant experience at a range of $125,000 - $130,000 annually. We reserve the right to pay an equitable rate that we believe is within our salary structure or that may fit a candidate’s qualifications or experience for the job. A wage range posted is not a guarantee of a specific wage range for a job offer. CCU reserves the right to make pay decisions based on economic and equity considerations to attract the best possible talent. CCU does not determine pay based on sex or any other protected status.
Application Deadline
Applications will be accepted until position is filled.
Spiritual Requirements
- Committed follower of Jesus Christ, who believes there is no salvation apart from faith in his atonement on the cross, by grace alone becoming "born again" thus beginning a personal relationship with Christ, the Son of God.
- Able to effectively communicate personal faith and apply biblical principles and convictions in the workplace. Must have a strong sense of calling to the ministry of Colorado Christian University.
- Regularly attend and be engaged in meaningful involvement in a Bible-believing evangelical local church. Knowledgeable about the Word of God and passionate about Christian education.
- Must be a traditional evangelical Christian whose lifestyle is in consonance with sound Christian principles, is compatible with CCU’s Statement of Faith, and is in agreement with the Strategic Priorities promulgated by the University.