Director of Graduate and Professional Education Initiatives

Position Overview

The University of Minnesota's College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) is searching for a Director of Graduate and Professional Education Initiatives.

The Director of Graduate and Professional Education Initiatives is generally responsible for:

• Setting a long-term vision in alignment with the College and University's strategic plans.
• Developing policy and procedures that facilitate the administration of and accountability for graduate and professional education in support of students.
• Ascertaining and responding to the viability and directions of graduate and professional education in the College with changing local, regional and national demographics and workforce needs.
• Acting as a liaison with units external to CEHD, including but not limited to the Graduate School, the Office for Equity and Diversity, and other institutions of higher education.
• Building, participating in, and facilitating policy and curricular review processes.
• Leading graduate and professional education program (re)alignment and strategy in the College.
• Overseeing the development and implementation of funding strategies for graduate and professional students and programs.
• Supervising the assistant director of graduate and professional education initiatives.
• Other projects as assigned.

The University of Minnesota encourages a healthy work life balance for employees. CEHD is committed to an excellent employee experience, offering a flexible work environment that meets the needs of students, staff, faculty, and the communities we serve. Flexible work arrangements may include flexibility in schedule and/or work location. Please note that 100% remote work requires prior approval. All UMN employees are expected to follow applicable public health and safety procedures.

Job Responsibilities

Strategic Program Development and Leadership (50%)

• Propose and implement ideas that advance CEHD's ability to meet relevant goals in the University strategic plan, including program realignment and scope reduction processes.
• Provide leadership that informs decision-making in the College regarding enrollment management, funding strategies, academic offerings, policies, and procedures in coordination with stakeholders, including web presence for prospective students.
• In identified target priority programs, lead faculty and unit-level communicators to support graduate and professional program recruitment, including public-facing web pages and marketing campaigns.
• Serve as an alternate college members of various university committees.

Graduate & Professional Student Outcomes, Initiatives, and Management (35%)

• Analyze enrollment trends and advise associate and assistant deans for graduate and professional education, faculty and director of office of communication and marketing regarding how to improve metrics related to admission, retention, and degree completion.
• Lead college-level initiatives on student development and non-academic career offerings.
• Develop, monitor, and evaluate long-term graduate and professional student funding strategies in coordination with college stakeholders.
• Support the management of graduate and professional student grievances and academic misconduct complaints.

Academic Oversight and Policy Development (10%)

• Consult and advise regarding the creation of academic program proposals, especially with respect to university policies and procedures, and national best practices and peer institutions.
• Engage in the CEHD Curriculum Council as dictated by CEHD Bylaws, including attendance at and support for monthly meetings.
• Propose, implement, and evaluate graduate education policies and procedures that ensure the success of CEHD graduate and professional students, faculty, and programs.
• Provide direction and advice to CEHD Directors of Graduate Studies (DSG's) and their departmental staff regarding academic oversight and policies.
• Provide leadership so that the college operate with integrity and is compliant with relevant policies and laws related to graduate programming, while responding flexibly to student needs and remaining responsive to varied life circumstances.
• Support external review of graduate programs for accreditation.

Supervision (5%)

• Supervising authority for the assistant director for graduate and professional education initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS with a combination of ten years of relevant experience, or master's degree plus at least eight years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to advocating for an inclusive environment for all backgrounds and identities.
• Evidence of strong interpersonal communication skills, particularly the ability to work and collaborate effectively with groups and organizations (both internal and external stakeholders)
• Ability to compile, analyze, apply, and present qualitative and quantitative data accurately.
• Evidence of effective writing and analysis skills, including the writing of planning and evaluation reports and strategic plans.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively prioritize and efficiently work on multiple tasks with concurrent deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in education or a closely related field.
• Three years of work experience that includes project management/leadership in higher education.
• Experience supervising and managing performance of staff.
• Experience with graduate and/professional education programs or initiatives.
• Familiarity with University of Minnesota organizational structure, policies, and procedures.
• Demonstrated knowledge of higher education, diversity, and equity.
• Proven effectiveness in gaining consensus and resolving conflicts.
• Ability to work cross-institutionally with minority-serving institutions (e.g., HBCUs).
• Demonstrated success in building or leading programming for diverse graduate students.

Department Overview

CEHD's Office of Graduate and Professional Education Initiatives - comprised of the associate dean for graduate education and faculty development, the assistant dean of professional and online education, and the director and assistant director of graduate and professional education initiatives - provides leadership for the College on graduate and professional education issues, initiatives, and programs. The mission of the CEHD Office of Graduate and Professional Education Initiatives is to make a positive difference in graduate and professional students' lives and to enhance and support high-quality graduate and professional programs.

College Overview

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the University's third largest college, contributes to a just and sustainable future through engagement with the local and global communities to enhance human learning and development at all stages of life. We know diversity is necessary to do our best work and foster our humanity. That's why the CEHD community is collectively dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and equitable environment, embracing and celebrating all identities of our students, staff, and faculty. These values are also a moral imperative requiring continuous proactive measures and a firm stance against prejudice, discrimination, and systemic injustice.

Pay Range: The salary range for this position is $96,027 - $127,235. Final salary offers are dependent on the candidate's experience, skills, and internal equity within the department.

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University 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

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

This position is not eligible for visa scholarship

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).