About the University of Denver 

The University of Denver (DU), a private university, is the oldest independent university in the Rocky Mountain region, with over 12,000 students in undergraduate and graduate programs. DU is classified as an R1: Doctoral University. As a top-tier private institution, we are dedicated to making positive change in the world through innovative education, lifelong learning, and community contribution. 

About OLLI at DU 

OLLI at DU is a vibrant lifelong learning community serving over 2,000 members annually — adults aged 50 and older. Our mission is to enrich the lives of our members through a high-quality learning and social environment. We offer a wide range of courses, lectures, webinars, social events, and travel opportunities across five metro Denver locations and online. Our member-driven organization relies on volunteer facilitators who share their expertise and passion with fellow learners. OLLI at DU, part of a national network of more than 120 Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes, is the College of Professional Studies’ community-centered home for lifelong learning. 

Position Summary 

The Program Specialist oversees member programs and events, manages communications with facilitators, supports facilitator recruitment and retention, and fosters member engagement to enhance experiences, grow membership, and improve retention across all OLLI locations. This role combines event coordination, communications, and hands-on site support. 

Reporting to the Director of Programming, the Program Specialist manages webinar series, field trips, Lunch & Learns, member events, and on-site operations. This position requires strong organizational and communication skills and a commitment to cultivating an engaged and growing membership. 

Essential Functions 

Webinar & Event Coordination 

• Webinar Series: Coordinate all webinar series including Summer Shorts, Fall Recess, and Friday STEM, including speaker recruitment and communication, scheduling, technical setup, and follow-up 
• Lunch & Learns: Organize Lunch & Learns across all sites and terms, recruiting speakers, coordinating schedules, and managing event logistics 
• Field Trips: Plan and execute monthly member field trips, working with Membership Committee volunteers to identify locations, manage logistics, event costs, and participant coordination 
• Course Preview Events: Oversee and assess course preview events, open houses, and site activities; develop and implement strategies to promote programs and engage prospective members 

Member Engagement & Communications 

• Facilitator Newsletter: Develop and curate facilitator newsletter content, collaborate with facilitators to gather feedback and contributions, and submit finalized content for design and distribution 
• Member Newsletter: Provide program content for weekly member newsletter and event descriptions for marketing flyers; submit to the Digital Communications and Technology Specialist 
• Class Announcements: Produce and distribute weekly class announcements 
• Facilitator Support: Assist the Director of Programming with facilitator recruitment, training, recognition, and retention, including planning of facilitator-specific events 
• Membership Committee: Provide administrative and organizational support to the Membership Committee to advance initiatives that foster community, improve member experience, and drive membership growth and retention 
• Shared Interest Groups: Oversee Shared Interest Groups (SIGs), supporting existing groups, vetting new suggestions, and fostering member-led programming 

Site Operations & Member Support 

• On-Site Coordination: Serve as on-site Specialist approximately three days per week during terms, overseeing facility access, AV and room setup, welcome table preparation, coffee service as applicable, facilitator support, member greeting, and end-of-day cleanup; conduct brief check-ins during sessions to ensure smooth operations and class quality 
• Course Surveys: Manage Qualtrics course survey process including setup, distribution to course participants, and data summarization; share results with Director of Programming 
• Backup Support: Provide backup support for office phone, email, and website inquiries; assist with course registration during high-volume periods 
• Member & Facilitator Relations: Build rapport with members and facilitators on-site, proactively addressing questions and troubleshooting issues 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Strong organizational and program management skills with ability to manage multiple events and deadlines 
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to engage stakeholders including members, facilitators, volunteers, and facility managers 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with experience creating newsletters or other marketing communications 
• Experience coordinating events, webinars, or programs, including speaker recruitment and logistics 
• Ability to work effectively with volunteers and committees; strong customer service orientation with commitment to inclusive member experiences 
• Strong problem-solving skills with flexibility to handle changing priorities 
• Technical proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, email marketing platforms, webinar tools (Zoom), and database systems 
• Proven ability to effectively use AI-powered tools to streamline workflows, generate insights, and support program delivery 
• Enthusiasm for lifelong learning and working with adult learners aged 50 and older 

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training and experience 
• 3–5 years of experience in program coordination, event management, communications, or related field 
• Experience with email communications platforms 
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills enabling clear, professional interaction with a variety of audiences and colleagues 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience in nonprofit, education, or membership-based organizations 
• Experience coordinating webinars or virtual events
• Experience working with volunteers or committees 
• Familiarity with adult education or senior programs 

Working Environment 

•  Office environment with regular travel to OLLI program sites across metro Denver 

•  Occasional evening and weekend work for events, webinars, and field trips 

•  Moderate stress level with multiple concurrent deadlines and event coordination 

Physical Activities 

•  Ability to sit in front of a computer for extended periods 

•  Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds occasionally 

•  May be required to move office furniture such as tables and chairs for meetings or events 

•  Ability to travel to multiple sites across metro Denver with the capability of transporting materials and supplies 

Work Schedule