Executive Director, Southwest Regional Sustainable ...

Apply for Job Job ID371216 LocationAll Other -See Job Description Job FamilyAdministration-Community Rels Full/Part TimeFull-Time Regular/TemporaryRegular Job Code9341S1 Employee ClassAcad Prof and Admin Add to Favorite Jobs Email this Job About the Job Working Title:Executive Director, Southwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnership Appointment:Full-time, P&A, Community Relations/Outreach Spec 1 (9341S1) Salary Range:$84,000 - $97,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience Office Location: Option of Marshall, Morris, Willmar, or Worthington Extension Regional Offices Reports To:Statewide Program Director, RSDP Application Deadline:December 14, 2025 About the Position The University of Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP) are a multi-college program of the University formed by the Minnesota Legislature in 1997. The Southwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnership (Southwest RSDP) is led by a Board composed of community leaders and University of Minnesota faculty. The community member-driven Board solicits and identifies innovative research, education, and outreach projects aimed at improving the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of Southwest Minnesota. The staff and Board link University faculty, students, and other resources to emerging and approved projects. Together with the governing board, the Southwest RSDP manages a portfolio of community-University projects that build partnerships and address sustainable development in the region. Information on past RSDP projects can be found at extension.umn.edu/regional-partnerships/rsdp-projects. Southwest RSDP is one of five RSDP regions across Greater Minnesota. Operating policies and statewide projects are coordinated among the five Regional Partnerships by a Statewide Coordinating Committee composed of staff and community members from each RSDP Region, and representatives of three Partnership colleges. The Regional Partnerships work in four focus areas: Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Natural Resources Clean Energy Resilient Communities The Partnerships work to build relationships with and partner with a broad diversity of individuals and organizations. The Executive Director supports the Southwest RSDP Board of Directors and its research, education, and outreach programming and projects. The overall objective of this position is to use the RSDP model in Southwest Minnesota to: (1) build strong relationships throughout the region in order to attract committed board and work group members and to identify and bring forth high-potential projects, (2) engage a wide range University faculty, staff, and students to partner on regional projects, and (3) provide day-to-day leadership, management, and financial oversight of the Southwest RSDP program. The Southwest RSDP executive director will also be actively involved with the statewide office and other Regional executive directors in projects of a joint nature. The Executive Director must have an understanding of university-based research, education, and outreach processes; a basic knowledge of agriculture, natural resources, clean energy and/or sustainable development; an ability to lead a process of shared decision-making between local community members and University faculty; and community engagement skills that build partnerships. The Director should have a strong commitment to building relationships with diverse individuals and organizations across the region and the ability to foster an inclusive, welcoming environment across board meetings, work group meetings, partnership teams, and all work of the Southwest RSDP. This person must also have excellent communication and managerial skills needed to oversee several projects at one time. The Director must be a catalyst and team builder who supports the University's community engagement and public scholarship mission. The Executive Director of the Southwest RSDP is the primary staff for the Region' s portfo io of Empowering Small Minnesota Communities program, funded by the Minnesota legislature. In addition, this position currently serves as liaison between the RSDP program and the University of Minnesota Institute on the Environment (IonE). In the liaison role, the Executive Director supports IonE's Impact Goals by supporting project connections to research grants that advance sustainability in Greater Minnesota. The Southwest Executive Director supervises an outreach specialist and a program coordinator based in the Region. The primary geographic area served is the Southwest region of Minnesota. This position will frequently travel throughout the region, and occasionally to the Twin Cities campus and other facilities statewide. RESPONSIBILITIES Build partnerships across University and community - 35% Strengthen and increase the presence of the University of Minnesota in Southwest Minnesota communities. Foster teamwork that builds a partnership between the regional board of directors, community members in Southwest Minnesota, and the University of Minnesota. In partnership with Board and work group members, identify emerging community sustainable development needs and innovations from a diverse range of community members and organizations. Identify and recruit University faculty and students, at U of MN Morris and system-wide, and other expertise to conduct research, education, and outreach projects recommended by the Board and workgroups. Community-University Project Management - 40% Work in collaboration with University of Minnesota faculty and Extension colleagues to develop and build research, education, and outreach partnerships that address and respond to community needs and innovations in addressing sustainable development. Coordinate programs and projects across a regional project portfolio that includes the Empowering Small Minnesota Communities program and other mission-driven programs. Support the pipeline of RSDP projects by working with local stakeholders and University faculty to strategically design, implement, and evaluate sustainable development research, education, and outreach projects. Provide assistance to communities in identifying and developing projects for consideration by the Southwest RSDP board and workgroups. Engage with and coordinate on multi-Regional and statewide projects with all RSDP Regions, where applicable, to implement successful rural sustainable development strategies Administrative leadership - 25% Provide administrative oversight of Southwest RSDP work: supervise regional staff and students, develop contracts, monitor funds, provide oversight of funded projects to ensure they accomplish goals and meet deadlines, provide staff support for meetings, and other Partnership work. Maintain open communication and strong relationships among all five Regional Partnerships, the Statewide Coordinating Committee, the Statewide Director and statewide staff, and University faculty and administrators. Foster continuing relationships with former board members as RSDP alumni and continue to inform them of Regional efforts and engage them as appropriate. Communicate... For full info follow application link. 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:

Created: 2025-12-05