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 Universityâ™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. 

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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