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.

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.

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.

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