Executive Director, Center for Housing Research and Innovative Solutions

The University of Denver seeks to hire a distinguished scholar and/or practitioner with a deep understanding of housing markets, practice, research, and policy to serve as the first Executive Director of a new interdisciplinary Center for Housing Research and Innovative Solutions. The Executive Director will join existing DU faculty from law, business, public policy, and social work, as well as a new Center staff economist and legal fellow, to develop a strategic plan and to build out key new programs and projects.   In addition to deep expertise in housing policy, industry practice and research, our ideal candidate must have a proven track record in fundraising, strategic planning, and organizational leadership, and be equipped to serve as a leading expert on housing research and policy on behalf of the Center and the University of Denver.     

The successful candidate will be an appointed, non-tenured faculty member in the University’s Research Professorial series in either the Sturm College of Law or the Daniels College of Business.  Assuming adequate funding, appointment, annual review, reappointment, and promotion opportunities shall be made in accordance with the University Appointment, Promotion, and Tenure Policies and Procedures. Candidates must have a strong background in law and public policy, housing economics, real estate development, urban planning or related fields.

The Center for Housing Research and Innovative Solutions

The Center is a collaborative effort led by the Sturm College of Law (through the Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute) and the Daniels College of Business (through the Burns School of Real Estate and Construction Management) and including expertise from the Scrivener Institute for Public Policy and the Center for Housing and Homelessness Research, among other units of the university.  

The Center for Housing Research and Innovative Solutions will be guided by a singular goal: to foster vibrant, sustainable communities with the right mix of housing to meet the needs of the region’s future. Our focus will span the entire housing continuum—from affordable to market-rate—recognizing that market-rate housing production plays a central role in shaping overall affordability and supply.

With deep expertise in real estate, land use law, public policy, and social work—and strong partnerships with policymakers, industry leaders, and peer academic institutions, the Center will provide research leadership, structure, and administration while collaborating broadly with partners across the state and region through affiliate faculty appointments, sub-grants, and joint research projects.

Position Summary

The Executive Director will provide strategic vision and leadership for the Center in the realms of housing policy and industry.  Working closely with the Center’s Housing Economist, Legal Fellow, Faculty Affiliates and Advisory Board, they will lead all research initiatives, operations, fundraising, and public outreach efforts to fulfill the Center's mission. A key responsibility is translating academic research into actionable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and other stakeholders. 

Additionally, the Executive Director will foster interdisciplinary collaboration, building partnerships both within the university and with external organizations and academic institutions to enhance the Center’s research capabilities. They will be responsible for identifying emerging trends in housing and development policy, real estate markets, and demographic changes and leveraging these insights to shape research priorities, program development and policy recommendations.  

This position is grant-funded for a term of 3 years; renewal is dependent on continued funding.   

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Vision

• Collaborate with the Faculty and Research Affiliates and external stakeholders to set the strategic vision and priorities for the Center.
• Ensure research programs align with the Center's mission to advance understanding of housing issues and promote vibrant, sustainable communities with the right mix of housing to meet the needs of the region’s future.
• Represent the Center at a local, national, and international level to increase its visibility and impact. 

Operational and Financial Management

• Lead all day-to-day operations, including work plans, staffing and financial management.  
• Manage the Center's budget, resources, and grant funding to ensure long-term financial health and sustainability.
• Ensure compliance with all university policies and procedures. 

Fundraising and External Relations

• Develop and execute fundraising strategies, including cultivating relationships with current and new donors, foundations, and partner organizations.
• Serve as a primary spokesperson, articulating the Center's mission and research to the media and public.
• Oversee communications, media strategy, and the creation of promotional materials.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with external partners, including government officials, industry leaders, and university colleagues. 

Research and Program Oversight

• Provide strategic guidance and oversight for all research activities, including the publication of signature reports and white papers.
• Oversee the development and execution of the Center's sponsored research programs, including compliance with all reporting obligations and completion of all deliverables.
• Oversee academic and public events, including conferences, symposia, and workshops, from topic selection to execution. 

Education and student mentorship

• Administer student fellowship programs to train and inspire the next generation of housing leaders.
• Cultivate and maintain strong connections with students and faculty across DU.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (PhD, JD, or Master’s) in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• 10+ years of experience in leadership of a major research institution, housing organization, or government agency.
• Evidence of research expertise and productivity
• Significant expertise in housing policy and industry practice.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated expertise in building collaborations between academia, industry and/or governmental agencies.
• Demonstrated expertise with strategic development of new programs within a leading academic institution, housing organization, or governmental agency.
• Demonstrated ability to work with and supervise dynamic groups of faculty, staff, students, and external constituencies.
• Deep fundraising experience.
• Managerial experience and proven success in managing complex research or governmental program(s).
• Demonstrated leadership and innovative problem-solving in addressing housing issues.
• Organizational skills to effectively manage multiple important priorities.

Application Deadline

For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) January 30, 2026. 

Salary Grade Number

The salary grade for the position is UC.

Salary Range

The salary range for this position is $200,000-$225,000.

The Sturm College of Law will provide the benefits package described below, access to the Westminster Law Library, office space, funding to hire research assistants, and a professional development account to be used for suitable professional expenses, including attending conferences.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits

The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.