Director of Learning & Development

About the Job

Are you passionate about advancing sustainability? Do you believe in the power of education, learning, and development to strengthen communities, activate networks of people, and benefit learners at all stages of their lives? Do you enjoy managing teams and leading others, supporting their professional development and alignment with organizational goals?

If any part of this sounds like you, we hope you read on. The Director of Learning & Development at the Institute on the Environment (IonE) leads exactly this type of work – overseeing a group of professionals supporting a portfolio of innovative programming that benefits learners across a variety of ages and career stages, and serving as a member of the Institute’s five-person leadership and management team.

Where You’ll Work

As part of a public research university, IonE exists to catalyze sustainability outcomes – driving environmental impact and innovation. Founded in 2007, it is a boundary-spanning, externally oriented unit, embedded within the University of Minnesota (UMN) and explicitly charged with forging connections and collaborations across and beyond academia – on a local, regional, and global scale. We consider this connective work critical because the environmental challenges we face are not only urgent, they are also vast and complex – and they will not be solved by any one discipline or sector working alone. To achieve its goals, IonE is organized as three core programmatic areas, in addition to pursuing operational excellence:

• Producing and co-creating knowledge and new solutions – through outcomes-oriented research activities, grantmaking, and other collaborative projects
• Capacity-building across our community – through learning, leadership, and professional development offerings
• Scaling and enabling collective impact – through our public-interest communications and engagement activities, inspiring and connecting audiences with relevant knowledge and one another

Each of these programmatic areas is led by a practitioner-manager who both conducts work in their area of specialization and oversees a portfolio of activities, led by professional staff. Equally critical to our theory of change is our operational and administrative infrastructure, including our grants administration; reporting and evaluation capabilities; and other operational functions.

When we refer to our “community,” we are referring to a broad network of people: our staff members; affiliated UMN faculty and professional staff, as well as non-University affiliates; students (from undergraduate to adult professional learners); partners and collaborators on funded projects; as well as other collaborators, advisors, donors, and supporters.

With its interdisciplinary and outcome-oriented mandate, IonE was created to be different and to operate differently than the “academy-as-usual.” We learn and grow as a community that –  through words and actions –  models how to practice education, research, and communications that accelerate just transformations to a sustainable future.

The Work You’ll Lead

The L&D division of IonE includes programming supporting learning and leadership/professional development across a wide range of learners and participants, including undergraduate students (e.g., via the sustainability studies minor, internships, study abroad, and other experiential learning), graduate students (e.g., through co-curricular workshops and peer mentoring); postdoctoral scholars; researchers and educators; and decision-makers, community, and corporate leaders (e.g., through international exchange and topical convenings). The institute will continue to serve a wide range of learners – inside and outside the university – and programs range from established with opportunities for evolution, to new experiments still involving refinement and scaling, to programming in need of fresh or new approaches.

In particular, we seek a director who can steer a portfolio of learning and development offerings that respond to imperatives in the 2024-2029 IonE Strategic Plan and our companion Diversity, Education, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) Action Plan; grow the capacity of scholars to engage in IonE’s Impact Goals, a cross-functioning theme in the strategic plan; enhance our organizational capacity to assess this division’s impact and outcomes across participants and learners; foster the creation or scaling of innovative and impactful educational programming and materials; foster and sustain relationships with learners inside and outside the university; integrate diverse ways of knowing and doing; and grow external resources to support its constellation of work.

Candidates who are successful in this role will be entrepreneurial, innovative, and rigorous. They will be excited about absorbing and connecting ideas, and helping the best ideas spread at scale. The role requires organizational savvy and an ability to be part of a collaborative management team that oversees the institute as a whole and the implementation of IonE’s strategic plan.

How the Role Is Structured

Reporting to the Executive Director of IonE (Jessica Hellmann), the L&D Director oversees a team of professional staff committed to the cultivation of activated people in the sustainability space. The director oversees a budget of ~$1M/year, with potential for externally funded growth. Hundreds of students, faculty, University staff, and external partners participate in IonE’s learning and development programs and activities each year, with potential for marked increases in reach and scale of impact.

A note on effort: At the University, many roles are split appointments (for example: 50% administrative leadership, 25% teaching, 25% time on grant-funded projects, etc.), and each fraction has its own funding source. For this role, we are seeking someone who can devote 50–75% effort to the responsibilities described below, supported by core funding provided by IonE. All candidates should expect, as part of their role, to have other activities and funding streams to fill out the remaining 25–50% of a full FTE. IonE offers a wide range of support in seeking and managing grant funding and has a wide network across the University to help identify other internal funds.

Additional Details:

• Salary range: $112,750 – $132,650 (for 1 FTE)
• Benefits: UMN P&A employee group benefits
• Location: St. Paul, Minnesota (remote work possible 1-2 days a week)
• Relocation funds are available for candidates who need to move to the area

We particularly encourage applications from individuals who belong to groups that have been historically underrepresented in environmental work and in academia, including those who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color, those with disabilities, veterans, and those from LGBTQIA+ communities. Details about how to apply are below, after the Benefits section. We recognize applying takes effort, and we look forward to reading and reviewing your submission.

Informational Webinar:

Want to learn more about this role and working at IonE? Register today to attend our informational webinar, hosted by IonE’s leadership team. 

Details:

• Tuesday, November 5th
• 3:00 – 3:45 p.m. CST
• Registration is required: 
  • Link to register: https://z.umn.edu/LDdirector_
  • You may register anonymously; only a name and email address are required for registration and you may enter “Anonymous” as your first name and create a single-use email account to receive your registration information and a link to the webinar
  • Upon registration, you’ll have the opportunity to submit any questions or topics you’d like us to discuss. Your input will help us tailor the webinar to address the information that matters most to you. We will also allocate time at the end to answer questions submitted during the session. Thank you for helping us make this event more relevant and informative!
• If you miss the webinar, you may reach out to April at deink001@umn.edu to request a copy of the recording. 

Core Responsibilities

Learning and Development Portfolio 50% 

This category of work is about managing the development and delivery of distinctive learning and professional/leadership development offerings – responsive to the needs of our core audience groups and key partners, in alignment with IonE’s strategic plan.

• Manage and strategically develop our portfolio of learning, leadership, and professional development offerings, including cohorts, experiential learning, and other opportunities, taking an integrated approach to advancing unit goals and sustainability outcomes
• Center principles of antiracism, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in all leadership and development activities, integrating these values in program development, policies, and organizational/group practices and processes
• Engage with diverse internal and external stakeholders, including various IonE advisory bodies, to understand learning, leadership, and development needs – with an eye toward creating value and complementing other structures at the University of Minnesota
• Scale the reach of this programming, ensuring equitable access to these opportunities across defined audience groups (e.g., affiliates, graduate students, etc.), core disciplines, and geographies (e.g., system-wide campuses)
• Partner with internal and external subject matter experts to incorporate diverse perspectives and content into programming – and facilitate the engagement of IonE affiliates in the delivery, design, oversight, and possible export of activities and programs
• Develop and deliver select sessions, workshops, and seminars, aligned with your own area(s) of expertise – and coach others in the development of new offerings that advance IonE’s approach to leadership development and sustainability pedagogy
• Collaborate and consult with other units and IonE systemwide hub directors in support of new educational programs and initiatives related to sustainability, working with leaders and advisors of sustainability degree programs across the UMN system as needed

Evaluation and Scaling Impact 20%

This category of work is about rigorous evaluation, reflection, and reporting – drawing out insights, models, and other learnings to share widely and scale the impact of your program area activities. 

• Partner on the development of IonE-wide impact and performance metrics, aligned with our strategic and DEIJ action plans, and implement a regular data collection and reporting cycle for the leadership and development portfolio
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data, to better understand the overall effectiveness, outcomes, and impacts of leadership and development portfolio initiatives, activities, and programs, and make adjustments based on your insights
• Partner with colleagues, including staff and affiliates, to scale program area insights, models, and other learnings, through popular and/or academic publishing, and other forms of content creation
• Stay updated on best practices and research, as an active practitioner in the education, leadership, professional development, and sustainability fields, using your knowledge to continuously improve the effectiveness of portfolio activities

Management and Supervision 20%

This category of work describes your organizational leadership and management role, as well as staff supervision and development responsibilities. In this role, you will be leading a team of professionals responsible for the design and delivery of learning and developing offerings, ensuring staff can deliver best-in-class, audience-centered experiences, deploying a variety of learning methods and technologies.

• Supervise and manage IonE leadership and development staff, supporting their alignment to organizational objectives, as well as their career development and professional growth 
• Lead program area work planning, aligning with unit-level/organizational goals, and facilitating collaboration with other programs, groups, and activities across IonE
• Forecast and monitor annual salary and programming expenses, developing an integrated portfolio budget, aligning organizational resources, and pursuing external revenue/funding streams, including innovative and collaborative financial models that promote value creation
• Serve as a core member of the IonE management team, contributing to organizational decision-making, strategy-setting, and stewardship, including the cultivation of employee engagement and a productive organizational culture

Visibility and Thought Leadership 10%

This category of work speaks to your role as a thought leader in this field, as well as responsibilities for cultivating partnerships and funding opportunities. This may also include University service (such as sitting on committees).

• Represent IonE through participation in conferences, lectures, and professional societies, especially where participation scales IonE’s signature approaches and advances a reputation for excellence in leadership/pedagogy 
• Develop and maintain relationships with other leaders in sustainability education, leadership, and professional development, cultivating new opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing
• Identify and actively cultivate opportunities for grant proposals and other external funding to support current and new initiatives, and collaborate with IonE’s development officer to create an integrated, prioritized plan for philanthropy

Working Conditions:

The majority of the work in this position is performed in a general office setting. IonE offices and meeting spaces are accessible and the building has accessible gendered restrooms on-site. Non-gendered restrooms are accessible through the tunnel system but would not be considered convenient for regular daily use.

This position has been designated as work profile 2. Profile 2 is expected to work on-site more than 50% of the time. Your office will be located on the St. Paul campus. IonE management retains the right to modify flexible work arrangement agreements on a temporary or permanent basis for any reason at any time.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• A terminal degree and at least 8 years of relevant experience, including significant management experience, or an advanced degree with at least 10 or more years of directly related professional experience
• Proven management experiences and a history of success in leading groups, including supervising and developing professional and administrative staff
• Demonstrated excellence in your discipline(s), including a strong understanding of leadership theories and adult/college-level learning principles and practices
• Demonstrated technical and operational mastery, including a proven track record of implementing successful learning and development programming
• Strong understanding of change management methodologies and frameworks
• Experience operationalizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in your work and workplace
• Experience capturing metrics that drive insights and decision-making, and using both quantitative and qualitative data to identify benchmarks and best-in-class approaches
• Experience in strategic budget development and management
• A consultative, collaborative orientation to your work, with a commitment to and appreciation of interdisciplinarity, community engagement, and co-creation

Preferred Qualifications

Especially competitive candidates may have some – though not all – of the following qualifications: 

• Deep and wide-ranging knowledge of not only theory and research, but also current practice across sectors, in sustainability education and leadership development
• A dynamic, entrepreneurial orientation, supporting growth, scaling, results, and impact
• A proven track record in fundraising, grant writing, and other external revenue development
• Confidence in public-facing roles, with strong public-speaking skills and an ability to inspire others
• A professional/public record of scholarship or thought leadership in a relevant field
• Understanding of (and appreciation for) the academic environment, including the complex structures and incentives of higher education
• Experience working in a matrixed environment, with an ability to gather input and influence decisions across all levels of an organization – and an understanding of the implications of decisions and actions on segments of the organization outside one’s immediate area

About the Department

Who are we? A system-wide interdisciplinary institute with physical offices on the Twin Cities campus, IonE focuses on big environmental challenges. Our community includes students, staff, and a network of some 200 affiliates – faculty and professionals from across the University of Minnesota system and beyond.

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

The application period closes on 12/08/2024. We will begin reviewing applications on 12/09/2024.

To be considered, submit three things in PDF format: (1) a brief cover letter describing what you’d bring to the role; (2) a resume or CV; and (3) a relevant work sample (as PDF or link), with a brief explanation of why you chose it. Please indicate your pronouns in your materials. We recognize applying takes effort, and we look forward to reading and reviewing your submission.

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 requires that you attach, in PDF: (1) a cover letter; (2) a resume or CV; and (3) a relevant work sample. If your application package is missing a required attachment or an attachment is not in PDF format (exceptions may be made for your work sample if PDF is not a compatible format), your package may not be fully considered.

If you experience any obstacles or barriers to the application process, please email April Deinken at deink001@umn.edu prior to submitting your application package. 

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

Diversity

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

IonE is committed to becoming an anti-racist organization and to building a culturally diverse and inclusive environment with equity core to our work. We value all perspectives and backgrounds and welcome applicants from all races, genders, sexual orientations, religions, ethnicities, national origins and other identities. 

Employment Requirements

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.

IonE is committed to becoming an anti-racist organization and to building a culturally diverse and inclusive environment with equity core to our work. We value all perspectives and backgrounds and welcome applicants from all races, genders, sexual orientations, religions, ethnicities, national origins and other identities. 

About the U of M

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).