Red Rocks Community College (RRCC) seeks an innovative and collaborative leader who will continue to elevate RRCC’s partnerships within the local community while pushing RRCC to excel in their mission to provide an accessible, responsive learning environment for all who seek to enrich their lives through educational opportunity. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of and appreciation for the significance of the role of Colorado community colleges and an understanding of the diverse characteristics of its student body.

RRCC is part of the 13-institution Colorado Community College System (CCCS), governed by an 11-member board made up of Governor appointees. The college has assisted students in meeting ambitious educational and career goals since 1969, and prides itself on academic excellence and providing high impact education. The President reports to the CCCS Chancellor with the autonomy to manage their own institution and the benefit of collaboratively working within a system. They are the face of and provide leadership for the college, by establishing strategies and measurable goals to increase enrollment and ensure equity in student access and success at the college. This includes coordinating and assisting college faculty and staff to achieve maximum performance and results. Through strong, positive leadership the president ensures the efficient and effective use of all of the college’s resources, safeguards its assets, maintains appropriate internal controls and ensures the quality and integrity of all financial or non-financial reporting and disclosures.

Requirements and Ideal Characteristics

RRCC’s ideal candidate comes from within higher education and has exceptional leadership credentials.  Applicants and nominees should have strong evidence of many, if not all, of the following professional and personal qualities, experiences and characteristics:

• Earned master’s degree is required; a terminal degree is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to provide visionary and forward-thinking leadership with an outstanding record of effectively managing and influencing people; proven experience as a strategic and inclusive leader; the ability to collaboratively lead effective teams, delegate responsibility and authority, and execute fiscally responsible plans; a willingness to circulate widely, listen well and motivate and empower others.
• Fiscal and budgetary experience in a Colorado public institution of higher education; an understanding of Colorado laws controlling higher education institutions and personnel; experience working with the Colorado General Assembly; familiarity with the realities of the Colorado higher education funding model and enrollment-driven budgets; and familiarity with the operational and funding model for concurrent enrollment programs within Colorado.
• Knowledge of current and emerging opportunities, challenges, trends and strategies in community college and public higher education.
• Experience working within a system, where heads of institutions have autonomy to manage their institutions but work collaboratively under a central system authority with an overarching Board of Directors.
• Ability to serve effectively as the face of an organization, building strong, purposeful relationships within and outside the organization with government, business, community and educational leaders; the proven ability to build and leverage external alliances and to develop strategic fundraising opportunities and workforce development partnerships; and the capacity to work closely with and earn the respect and trust of stakeholders both internally and externally.
• Proven ability to bring about complex change in a thoughtful manner, to implement solutions and establish best practices that are tailored to the unique needs of the institution.
• Ability to bring campus constituencies to actionable consensus; the ability to build trust through transparency and to energize and inspire students, faculty, staff, alumni, advisory board members and external stakeholders.
• A personal commitment to and record of success in advancing equity, inclusion, diversity and belonging; demonstrated experience advancing an organization that serves diverse constituencies.
• Successful experience creating shared goals and holding individuals and teams accountable.
• A track record of using data to inform decision-making.
• Capable of successfully managing an institution during periods of crisis, such as public health, social unrest or weather-related emergencies.

Nominations and applications will be accepted until finalists have been announced. For full consideration, materials should be submitted by September 22, 2023. The comprehensive position profile, application link and additional details about the search can be found at  https://www.rrcc.edu/rrcc-president-search.

Complete applications include:

• A resume or curriculum vitae
• A letter of interest that addresses how the candidate’s skills and experiences align with RRCC and the desirable qualifications outlined in the position profile (not to exceed 5 pages).

For general inquiries regarding the selection process, please contact:

Christina Cecil
Chief Human Resources Officer

Colorado Community College System
christina.cecil@cccs.edu

Position Salary and Benefits:

Presidents of colleges within the Colorado Community College System are provided with comprehensive health and life insurance, generous leave and strong retirement plan options. The anticipated salary range for this position is $208,000 - $215,000. Final salary will be determined based on the selected candidate’s qualifications and applicable internal equity.