Vice President for Strategic Initiatives

The University of Minnesota seeks an experienced and highly collaborative leader to serve as the inaugural Vice President for Strategic Initiatives (VPSI). This is an exceptional opportunity to join U-M at a pivotal moment in its history and help shape its next chapter while leading strategic planning efforts across the system. With the excitement of a new president, the institution is poised to deepen its commitment to research, teaching, and service, open access to opportunity, and forward-thinking innovation to advance the University's land-grant mission and impact the world.

Reporting directly to President Cunningham, the VPSI will serve as a trusted advisor to the president and a key member of the president's senior leadership team. Collaborating with other constituencies across the UofM system, the VPSI will lead the execution of the institution's next strategic plan and support high level, mission-critical strategic initiatives and programs that advance the University's growth, impact, and reputation. In addition, the VPSI will work closely with the President and Chief of Staff in strategic policy analysis. The successful candidate will be a collegial and mission-oriented leader who takes initiative and has the interpersonal skills to operate strategically and effectively to help drive and achieve results. They will bring past experience managing complex change initiatives in a collaborative and consensus-building environment; the ability to be forward thinking and to engage others in challenging convention and encouraging innovation; a deep understanding of the higher education landscape in the 21st century; effectiveness at pivoting between strategic development and tactical deployment; experience in translating strategy to individual roles and responsibilities; and the ability to earn the trust, confidence, and respect of UofM's senior leadership team.

The inaugural Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at the University of Minnesota will be responsible for overseeing the exploration and completion of a new strategic plan and multiple cross-cutting initiatives to advance the institution's mission and goals. Reporting directly to the President, serving as a member of the President's Cabinet, and working closely with the chief of staff and members of the President's Office team, this position will collaborate and coordinate with senior leaders and diverse stakeholders in shared governance and academic and administrative units across the entire system to discuss, identify and advance shared priorities and the requisite resources that will be needed to support their effective implementation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Planning:
  In consultation and collaboration with the President, University leadership, and key stakeholders across the University, facilitate the development of a new strategic plan for the University system, including the development of plan objectives, timelines, metrics, implementation, and other management tools and approaches.
  Oversee the coordination for the University's strategic visioning and mission planning efforts, centering consultation and inclusion across the range of stakeholders across campuses, the state, and beyond.
  Lead the planning and implementation of cross-cutting strategic plan initiatives, programs, and projects, including possible public and private partnerships, that require coordination among multiple administrative and academic units and consultation with shared governance partners and others.
• Strategic Initiatives:
  Oversee the planning, execution, assessment and effective communication of highpriority Presidential-level strategic initiatives and programs, including monitoring and facilitating progress, identifying resources, and tracking the attainment of objectives, in close collaboration and coordination with the President, University leadership, and other SMEs on their teams.
  Lead new strategic initiatives and projects based on trends and research that will advance the University's growth, impact, and reputation.
  Assess strategic growth opportunities and initiatives to plan, develop and achieve strategic objectives for the institution.
  Drive organizational readiness around support change management and large-scale transformation.
  Ensure that leaders responsible for carrying out strategic initiatives have the resources and support they need to be successful and that regular updates are provided to the President on the progress toward their strategic goals.
  Advise and serve as an information resource to senior leaders and others on strategic projects that fall within their areas of responsibility.
• Presidential Support:
  Promote cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder engagement to foster partnerships across departments, colleges, and administrative units to implement strategic initiatives.
  Partner with the President and chief of staff in strategic analysis and planning, including advising the President on the operational, legal, and reputational impact of planning alternatives.
  Monitor trends in higher education and beyond and advise the President and University leadership on ways to promote a strategic advantage for the University, including assessing new opportunities for alignment with institutional priorities.
  Ensure that the President develops and maintains important relationships both within and outside the organization to further critical partnerships and initiatives that serve the University, its community, and the state of Minnesota.
  Anticipate, raise, and make recommendations to the President on issues that require leadership attention and/or a policy response.

The Vice President is a 100%-time, 12-month, professional and administrative (P&A) appointment based in Minneapolis. Salary is commensurate with education and experience, with an anticipated salary range of $350,000-$450,000.

Essential Qualifications:

• MBA, JD, Ph.D. or another terminal degree in a related field plus a minimum of 15 years of experience
• Demonstrated experience and record of success in initiating and managing a strategic plan or complex strategic initiatives across an organization, ideally in higher education
• Successful leader with a track record of achieving intended results, outcomes, and deliverables
• Deep understanding of the higher education landscape, including trends, challenges, and opportunities facing universities in the 21st century
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills, with the ability to build consensus, inspire trust, and influence stakeholders at all levels
• Collaborative and consultative mindset with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and a demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives
• Sound judgment, proven ability to influence, facilitate, and execute, and success achieving expected deliverables while working in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a large, complex, and decentralized organization
• Proven ability to think strategically, anticipate future trends, and develop innovative solutions to address institutional priorities and challenges
• Deep experience in change management and the ability to foster a culture of innovation and transformation

UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP

President Rebecca Cunningham

The University of Minnesota Board of Regents selected Dr. Rebecca Cunningham as the 18th President of the University of Minnesota System, effective July 1, 2024. The Board chose Cunningham following a thorough and public search that engaged thousands of students, faculty, and staff in listening sessions and public forums on all five campuses.

Dr. Rebecca Cunningham most recently served as the vice president for research and innovation at the University of Michigan, where she was responsible for fostering excellence and upholding the University's public mission in research, scholarship, and creative practice across three campuses and a health system. During her leadership tenure, the University expanded its research volume to a record $1.86 billion annually as Dr. Cunningham led the design and implementation of the first comprehensive review of the University of Michigan research, scholarship, and creative practice enterprise.

A faculty member in the University of Michigan Schools of Public Health and Medicine since 1999, Dr. Cunningham previously served as the associate vice president for research-health sciences, where she oversaw research faculty affairs and partnered with colleagues across disciplines to facilitate and energize the University's research agenda. Dr. Cunningham served in various leadership positions earlier in her career, including as associate chair of emergency medicine and director of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-sponsored Injury Prevention Center at the University of Michigan As a researcher, Dr. Cunningham has earned continuous federal research funding for more than 25 years as a principal investigator and is a National Academy of Medicine member.

Dr. Cunningham holds a bachelor's degree from Fairfield University and a medical doctorate from Jefferson Medical College. She completed her residency in emergency medicine at the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor and a postdoctoral research fellowship with the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

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.

Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website for the search: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/university-minnesota/vice-presidentstrategic-initiatives. Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged. References will not be contacted without advance permission of the candidates.

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.

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).