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CEO and President, University of Minnesota Foundation

Employer
University of Minnesota
Location
Twin Cities, Minnesota, United States
Salary
Competitive Salary
Date posted
Oct 17, 2024
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Job Details



About the Job

Overview

Reporting to the Chair of the Board of Trustees, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Foundation is responsible for ensuring that the University of Minnesota Foundation achieves the full potential of its mission.

The CEO will act as a key relationship builder with the Board, alumni, donors, staff, University leaders, and external partners. The CEO will also manage the core administrative functions of the Foundation.

The CEO will leverage the expertise of the UMF team and Board of Trustees to maximize engagement and deliver across all aspects of the strategic plan.

Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Execution
  • Partner closely with the University President, Provost, and other senior leadership, serving as an advisor on fundraising and development.
  • Lead the continuing evolution, implementation, communication, evaluation, and dissemination of plans, strategies, and outcomes to demonstrable and sustainable impact in line with overall Foundation strategy.
  • Ensure measurement and evaluation methodology is robust and consistent.
  • Collaborate with the Board of Trustees and leadership team to ensure alignment of the Foundation’s strategic plan with the University’s, with a goal to advance donor relationships to benefit the University.
  • Appropriately delegate tasks to reach goals and monitor and evaluate progress towards strategic objectives, adjusting plans as needed.
Fundraising, Marketing, and Development:
  • Act as a primary ambassador and advocate for the Foundation, cultivating relationships with donors, prospects, and Trustees.
  • Identify cutting-edge, innovative fundraising strategies in partnership with development leaders, inspiring the team to embrace creativity and future oriented ways to raise funds.
  • Identify and cultivate new opportunities for partnerships and collaborations.
  • Increase the external awareness and continue to build the reputation of UMF locally and nationally.
  • Leverage technology to increase engagement at scale and communicate impact metrics.
Organizational Leadership and Culture:
  • Lead, manage, and inspire a team.
  • Develop strong, collaborative working relationships with board chairs as well as a robust, committed 45-member board.
  • Develop deep relationships with colleagues across the University, including administrative and academic leaders.
  • Support a culture of excellence, continual improvement and belonging, ensuring professional development and growth opportunities for staff to enhance their expertise and contributions.
  • Oversee the financial health of the Foundation, ensuring prudent fiscal management and accountability. Work closely with the executive leadership team to develop and adhere to budgets, staying aware of the shifting giving dynamics in higher education.
Qualifications

Candidates for the CEO position should be agile communicators with experience partnering with and leading a diverse range of constituent groups both directly and through influence. They must be thoughtful, intentional managers who have experience building upon an organization’s existing strengths in leading its next chapter.

Strong candidates will possess the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:
  • Setting Strategy : The ability to champion and articulate an inspiring vision for the organization, not only for the areas they are directly responsible for, but the enterprise as a whole. Demonstrated analytical and strategic skills, with experience using data to support decision-making, persuasive storytelling and case statements, and creation of strategic plans.
  • Driving Revenue Growth : Track record of growing revenue and earned income in a cultural institution, nonprofit, educational organization, or business. Experience completing a successful multi-year initiative that may include a transformative revenue growth plan or capital campaign.
  • Leading Teams: Proven ability to recruit, mentor, lead, and develop a diverse staff and a track record of building inclusive, high-performing, and loyal teams. Decisive in setting priorities, delegating responsibilities, assuring accountability, and allocating resources to ensure results.
  • Executing for Results: The ability to set clear and challenging goals, balancing financial prudence with innovation and calculated risk-taking, while committing the organization to improved performance. Strong track record building systems, benchmarking, and leveraging data insights to evolve systems to drive outcomes.
  • Stakeholder Communication and Influence: Naturally connects and builds strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, demonstrating strong emotional intelligence and an ability to communicate clearly and persuasively. A compelling public speaker with experience establishing trust and collaborating with the senior most leadership of an organization.
  • Purpose and Character: Culturally sensitive and astute; possesses integrity, a generosity of spirt, and a sense of curiosity. A good listener with the humility to seek support and direction from others. A true team player who is grounded in mission, agile and excited by the ability to continuously learn new things in a multifaceted environment.
Required Qualifications:
  • An undergraduate (BA/BS) degree is required; an advanced degree would enhance the candidate’s qualifications.
About the Department

At the University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF), our mission is to connect passion with possibility, inspire generosity, and support greatness at the University of Minnesota by placing donors at the heart of everything we do and every decision we make. UMF is a nonprofit organization responsible for raising and managing gifts to the University of Minnesota.

For more information about UMF, please visit https://give.umn.edu/about/about-umf .

Benefits

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you’ll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
  • Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
  • Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
  • Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
  • Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
  • University HSA contributions
  • Disability and employer-paid life insurance
  • Employee wellbeing program
  • Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
  • Financial counseling services
  • Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
  • Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area
Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits.

How To Apply

Russell Reynolds Associates, the global search and leadership advisory firm, has been exclusively engaged to lead this search.

We welcome nominations and expressions of interest via email at UMF_CEO@russellreynolds.com . All submissions will remain confidential.

Alison P. Ranney
Russell Reynolds Associates
155 North Wacker Drive, Suite 4100
Chicago, IL 60606

Rachel Vargas
Russell Reynolds Associates
1700 New York Avenue, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20006

Paul Stohr
Russell Reynolds Associates
80 S 8th Street, Suite 1425
Minneapolis, MN 55402

Company

University of Minnesota

About the University of Minnesota System

At the University of Minnesota, we provide a thriving community for those with an overwhelming desire to teach and to learn, to research, and to serve.  We continually inspire the next great generation of innovators and empower each other during our search for knowledge. In fiscal year 2023, the University successfully competed for $1.13 billion in external research funding. Learn more about research at the U of M.

University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota has five strong campuses—Crookston, Duluth, Morris, Rochester, and the Twin Cities—supporting one strong state. The U of M system is one of the most comprehensive in the nation, with offerings to meet the interests of every student and the changing needs of our society. We're proud of our land-grant mission of world-class education, groundbreaking research, and community-engaged outreach, and we are unified in our drive to serve Minnesota. Through our Extension outposts, we have a presence in every county in the state.

 

University of Minnesota

Benefits of Working at the University of Minnesota

The University is dedicated to keeping you and your family healthy—physically, emotionally, financially, socially, and professionally. We believe in the concept of "total rewards": a complete compensation package that includes not just wages but a full scope of benefits to make sure our faculty and staff remain happy, healthy, and engaged in their work. Learn more about your benefits.

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