Public Health Program Director

Job Summary

CU Boulder encourages applications for a Public Health Program Director! This role provides leadership and expertise for employee public health initiatives. The position develops, implements, and evaluates evidence-informed programs, services, and policies, and creates communication strategies that improve staff and faculty well-being. Applying public health principles, this role identifies health trends and translates evidence-based strategies into scalable programs to advance employee health. The role collaborates with campus and community partners to promote a culture of health and well-being across the university.

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.

Who We Are

Employee Health & Well-Being (EHWB) provides resources, services and education across the dimensions of wellness to empower faculty and staff, allowing them to thrive. To support faculty and staff individually and professionally, we are investing in new programs, resources and partnerships to empower individuals and transform workplaces. We provide many resources and tools to help employees stay healthy, take control of their finances, or seek support for mental health at work and beyond.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Public Health Program Leadership and Implementation

• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of evidence-informed public health and employee well-being programs and initiatives on topics such as healthy eating and active living, ergonomics, heart health, food insecurity, illness prevention and immunizations, sleep and more.
• Serve as the campus content expert on employee population health, prevention, health promotion, and workplace well-being.
• Develop and facilitate educational workshops, trainings, webinars, and learning opportunities for faculty and staff in coordination with other EHWB units.
• Maintain expertise in public health trends, workplace health, health promotion, and evidence-based practice. Translate emerging research and standard processes into practical workplace education and strategies.
• Support development and implementation of Health in policy approaches throughout campus decision-making processes.

Health Communication and Campaign Development

• Develop and implement campus-wide public health communication campaigns, including serving as a content expert for educational materials, newsletters, digital content, and marketing resources advancing employee health literacy.
• Establish and maintain a rapid-response public health communication protocol for emerging health issues affecting employees and campus community.
• Lead annual prevention and screening promotion campaigns, including initiatives encouraging utilization of annual preventive care visits.
• Develop culturally relevant health communications addressing health disparities and supporting diverse employee populations.
• Partner with campus communication teams to ensure effective dissemination of evidence-based health information.

Assessment, Evaluation, Data, and Reporting

• Work with EHWB Assessment team to develop evaluation frameworks, outcome measures, and annual reports for public health initiatives.
• Conduct literature reviews and benchmark analyses to identify innovative and effective practices.
• Coordinate program evaluation activities and continuous quality improvement efforts.

Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives

• Collaborate with internal and external partners to advance campus well-being goals.
• Develop partnerships with public health agencies, community organizations, and academic departments.
• Support grant development, research-to-practice initiatives, and health innovation projects.
• Represent EHWB on university committees and working groups related to health, well-being, and public health.
• Find opportunities for systems, policy, and environmental changes improving employee health outcomes.

Supervision, Administrative Responsibilities

• May supervise graduate assistants, interns, temporary employees, or project staff.
• Provide direction, coaching, training, and performance support as appropriate.
• Support project management, budget monitoring, vendor coordination, and program administration.

What You Should Know

This position has the ability to work in a hybrid work modality.

What We Can Offer

The annual salary range for this position is $75,000 – $84,000. Relocation assistance is available per department guidelines.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. In fact, CU Boulder has been named one of Forbes' America's Best Large Employers, ranking #4 among large employers in Colorado and #28 among universities nationwide. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be impactful. Be proactive. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Master's degree in Public Health (MPH), Health Promotion, Community Health, Epidemiology, Health Education, Behavioral Health, Health Administration, or a closely related field. A combination of education and experience will substitute for the degree on a year-for-year basis.
• 5 years of professional experience developing, implementing, and evaluating public health, health promotion, wellness, or prevention programs.
• Experience using data and research to assess community or population health needs and evaluate outcomes.
• Experience facilitating presentations, workshops, or educational programs.

What You Will Need

• Expertise in public health principles and population health approaches.
• Strong facilitation and public speaking skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and health communication skills.
• Ability to translate scientific literature into practical workplace applications.
• Experience designing and evaluating behavior change interventions.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to build partnerships across complex organizations.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Certified in Public Health (CPH), CHES, or MCHES credential.
• Experience in higher education, academic health, employee well-being, health systems, or public health settings.
• Experience developing large-scale health communication campaigns.
• Experience with Total Worker Health® frameworks.
• Experience supervising graduate students or professional staff.
• Experience with grant-funded initiatives and research-to-practice projects.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. A current resume.
2. A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.

We may request references at a later time.

Please apply by November 8, 2026 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources

Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu