Interim Executive Director, Butler Institute for Families

About the University of Denver

Located where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains, the University of Denver embodies the spirit of exploration and discovery that defines our region and our history. DU is a private institution built on exploration through research and collaboration among educators, students, and local and global communities. With nationally recognized academic programs, a history of widespread influence, a forward-looking vision for a 21st-century education, and a deep commitment to promoting inclusion, we open a world of opportunities to students and empower Pioneers to make a difference around the world. Through learning, scholarship and practice, students gain the experience, knowledge and courage they need to tackle big challenges in the real world and guide diverse communities and organizations.

About the Graduate School of Social Work

The Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW) is a vibrant community of scholars and teachers committed to having a diverse faculty and student body. The School’s curriculum, research, and community partnerships emphasize social justice, along with an understanding of and respect for social, economic, political, and cultural diversity both nationally and internationally. GSSW provides an intellectual, collegial, and supportive environment that fosters interdisciplinary, national, and international educational opportunities. GSSW engages in collaborative projects locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. GSSW and the University of Denver recognize the value in and are committed to embracing and enhancing the diversity of faculty, staff, and students.

About the Butler Institute for Families

The nationally recognized Butler Institute for Families at the University of Denver, Graduate School of Social Work collaboratively partners with organizations across the country. Through research, evaluation, organizational improvement efforts, training, coaching and dissemination of information, Butler works with organizations involved in Early Childhood, Behavioral Health, Child Welfare and Tribal Initiatives to achieve their organizational goals, train their workforce and evaluate their programs.

Position Summary

The Interim Executive Director of the Butler Institute for Families is a faculty administrative role within the Graduate School of Social Work, reporting to the unit leader and the Dean.  The Executive Director role has a primary responsibility of providing leadership for the research staff of the Butler Institute for Families, working closely with their leadership team to establish and maintain mission and funding trajectories, fiscal sustainability, research integrity and development of new prospects.  This includes raising the profile of Butler among local, regional and national children and family issues organizations and funders, working with advancement on donor relations, and pursuing research opportunities.

This is a 12-month interim appointment, effective July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027.  The position carries a $15,000 annual stipend and runs adjacent to an appointed faculty role within the Graduate School of Social Work.  In addition to the stipend, the school will buyout a maximum of .5FTE on the faculty appointment if external funding is unavailable in order to provide time for Executive Director functions.

 Essential Functions

• Oversee the overall research efforts of the Butler Institute for Families
• Provide supervision of leadership roles within Butler, and overall personnel management in collaboration with leadership team.
• Review, revise and expand the funding potential of the Institute in keeping with organization mission and goals.
• Interact with funding organizations and potential donors
• Seek opportunities that link the Institute with the academic programs of GSSW, MCE and other research institutes and centers within the University.
• Establish a protocol for faculty affiliates of the Butler Institute for Families and begin affiliate programs.

Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by May 29, 2026.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Compensation

An administrative stipend of $15,000 per year.

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 some benefits for non-benefited employees. 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.