Head of Staff Office of the President

Posted: 10/20/2024

Education

The Head of Staff assists the President, Executive Cabinet, and BSU/NTC Cabinets in administering all aspects of Bemidji State University (BSU) and Northwest Technical College (NTC) educational, administrative, and executive activities. The Head of Staff also serves as the senior development officer for NTC. This position requires thorough knowledge of BSU and NTC policies, procedures, and operations, and understanding of the College’s and University’s role within the Minnesota State system, region, and local community. Particular areas of focus include (a) management of the Office of the President (OTP) including engagement and the coordination of assignments given by the President to members of the Executive Cabinet and BSU/NTC Cabinets, supervision of OTP administrative professionals, supervision of the BSU/NTC Title IX Coordinator, and strategic oversight of the President’s long-term calendar, particularly in coordination with BSU and NTC Foundations and with Minnesota State government relations efforts; (b) external relations with the Minnesota State System Office, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, and other educational institutions and with community, business/industry, and non-profit organizations; (c) government and external relations with particular focus on liaising with elected officials and government employees at the state, county, and city level; (d) communications for the OTP; (e) strategic planning coordination and support; and (f) community engagement and fundraising.

The Head of Staff works closely and maintains relationships with senior University and College administrators; Minnesota State system leaders; Board of Trustees members; union leaders; student leaders; faculty, student affairs educators, and staff; Tribal leaders; federal, state, and local elected officials; non-profit and business leaders; alumni; and members of the media to promote the mission, values, and goals of BSU and NTC. The Head of Staff facilitates communication, promotes alignment with stakeholders, fosters trust and credibility, drives collaboration, and advocates for institutional priorities. Discretion and confidentiality in the dissemination of information to faculty, students, student affairs educators, staff, and the various publics served by BSU and NTC is required.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Executive Leadership

Serving as a member of the President’s Executive Cabinet Team; planning and facilitating meetings of the BSU Cabinet and attending NTC Cabinet meetings when appropriate.
Providing thought leadership related to the scope of responsibility in planning and decision-making for BSU and NTC including service as a senior advisor and partner to the President in pursuit of the vision and mission of BSU and NTC.
Centering holistic student learning, success, and achievement leading to long-term educational value in all professional practices.
Demonstrating self-awareness of one's own cultural beliefs, perspectives, and privileges as a part of one’s orientation toward leadership.
Acknowledging the specific and particular realities of Indigenous, Black and persons of color, 2SLGBTQIAP+ individuals, first-generation college students, people from low-income families, and other minoritized communities within Northern Minnesota while also connecting communities to local and regional experiences in order to foster a greater sense of belonging among employees and students.
Advancing a campus culture of proactive, transparent, and inclusive engagement with shared governance. Actively and visibly engaging with campus, local, and regional communities.
Promoting practices that are environmentally sustainable and consistent with practices advanced by American Indian stewards of the region’s land, water, and air.
Proactively engaging in data-informed practices that lead to continuous improvement.
Committing to the highest level of ethical practice including allocation of time and resources for reflection, rest, mentoring/consultation, etc.
Maintaining currency in areas of responsibility including strategic planning; diversity, equity, and inclusion; fundraising; event management; and executive leadership and support through engagement with strategically selected and agreed-upon professional organizations.

Managing the Office of the President

Supervising OTP administrative staff and providing direction to employees who may be occasionally assigned to support certain presidential initiatives.
Supervising the BSU/NTC Title IX Coordinator, supporting coordination with Title IX Deputy Coordinators for employees, student-athletes, and students.
Advising on the most effective and meaningful use of the President's time, especially regarding the President's engagement with key stakeholders, and strategically planning, coordinating, and assessing 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month internal/external calendaring for the OTP.
Developing and maintaining efficient administrative processes within OTP to ensure smooth operations and effective support for presidential initiatives.
Triaging issues, decisions, actions, and initiatives to determine the most effective response and help prioritize the President's time.
Exercising considerable judgment with the responsibility for analyzing emerging policy issues and trends, identifying impacts spanning the college and university, and coordinating responses to the President on strategies and alternatives for dealing with the issues.
Providing follow-up, support, coordination, and guidance to BSU and NTC leaders and their teams to advance presidential initiatives and decisions.
When necessary, act as a point of contact with Cabinet in raising critical or time-sensitive issues and obtaining responses, guidance, and decisions from the President.
As requested by the President, serving as a delegate from the OTP with other NTC and/or BSU leaders to support and coordinate initiatives including service on committees on behalf of the President.
Cultivating relationships with key stakeholders, including alumni, donors, government officials, and community leaders, on behalf of the President.

Legislative Engagement

Serving as the Government Relations Officer for BSU and NTC, managing the interactions with government entities and advocating for the interests of BSU and NTC in legislative and policy matters.
Developing and implementing strategies to build and maintain relationships with local, state, and federal elected officials and policymakers to advocate for BSU and NTC's interests, priorities, and funding needs.
Monitoring legislative proposals, policy developments, and funding opportunities that may impact higher education, particularly BSU and NTC, and providing analysis, recommendations, and advocacy to support the institutions' positions and goals.
Coordinating legislative outreach efforts, including meetings, briefings, and advocacy campaigns, to educate legislators and policymakers about the importance of BSU and NTC to their communities, regions, and the state as a whole.
Collaborating with institutional leaders, government relations staff, and external partners to develop and advance legislative priorities and agendas that align with BSU and NTC's mission, strategic goals, and initiatives.
Coordinating federal earmark funding requests with US House Representatives and US Senators in consultation with senior administration, faculty, student affairs educators, and staff.

Fundraising, Cultivation, & Stewardship

Serving as the Senior Development Officer at NTC, leading the day-to-day operations of the NTC Foundation and leading donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities to maximize giving and donor engagement.
Facilitating an aggressive schedule of presidential engagement with BSU and NTC donors, strategically prioritizing top 10% prospecting, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship; additionally coordinating presidential engagement with all major and estate donors to support major gift officer cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship visits, contacts, and written correspondence.
Planning, facilitating, leading, and continually assessing and improving NTC Foundation hallmark events and activities, including the student online scholarship application process, scholarship selection committee, annual Day of Giving, and Scholarship Breakfast.
Convening regular meetings (typically every other month) of the NTC Foundation Board and supporting the Board chair in facilitating meetings; coordinating the president’s engagement with the NTC Foundation Board and the BSU Alumni and Foundation Board including support for reports, proposals, and strategic direction.
Working with the BSU Vice President of Advancement to coordinate BSU and NTC fundraising efforts with common donors, businesses, foundations, and other sources of philanthropic support.
Developing and implementing comprehensive fundraising strategies to support the financial needs and priorities of NTC with a focus on cultivating relationships with donors, foundations, and businesses and securing philanthropic support.
Identifying and prioritizing funding opportunities aligned with NTC's strategic priorities, collaborating with institutional leaders and stakeholders to articulate compelling cases for support.
Cultivating and stewarding relationships with major donors, alumni, corporations, foundations, and other potential funding sources, fostering long-term partnerships and investment in the institutions' mission and programs.
Managing donor databases and tracking systems to ensure accurate and up-to-date records of donor interactions, contributions, and pledges, facilitating effective stewardship and communication.
Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of fundraising efforts, tracking progress toward goals and making data-informed decisions to optimize strategies and outcomes.
Serving as a spokesperson for NTC's fundraising priorities and initiatives, communicating impact and success stories to inspire philanthropic support and engagement.

Strategic Planning

Helping to facilitate strategic management processes critical to meeting NTC’s and BSU’s shared and unique strategic planning goals.
Assuming responsibility for interacting with colleagues across the college and university to ensure institutional alignment and synergy with the strategic plan.
Collaborating with institutional leaders to identify emerging trends and opportunities in higher education, informing the development of forward-thinking strategic priorities.
Partnering with the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness to compile, analyze, and interpret relevant data for strategic and data-informed decision-making as related to the scope of responsibility.
Facilitating the integration of diversity, equity, and inclusion goals into the strategic planning process, ensuring that initiatives promote a culture of belonging and support for all members of the campus community.
Leading, facilitating, or participating in strategic initiatives as an OTP representative, particularly in highly sensitive or complex matters.
Ensuring efficient alignment of various campus plans (e.g., strategic enrollment, facility, academic, fundraising, etc.) with the BSU-NTC master strategic plan.
Fostering cross-functional collaboration and teamwork among departments and units, leveraging the expertise and resources of diverse stakeholders to achieve strategic objectives.

Community Engagement

Coordinating/supporting, implementing, and assessing significant internal and external events for the university and college including start-up days at the beginning of semesters; commencement; events for significant individuals visiting BSU and NTC; OTP socials and/or events honoring cultural and identity-based history and heritage experiences (months); socials celebrating faculty, staff, and student accomplishments; alumni and donor recognition and visits; and other community stakeholder engagements.
Developing and implementing strategies to strengthen BSU and NTC's connections with the local and regional community, fostering partnerships, collaborations, and mutually beneficial relationships.
Organizing and facilitating community outreach events, programs, and initiatives that promote engagement, dialogue, and interaction between the institutions and the community.
Serving as a representative and ambassador of BSU and NTC in community forums, meetings, and events, advocating for the institutions' interests, priorities, and contributions to the community.
Promoting a culture of civic engagement, social responsibility, and community involvement within BSU and NTC, encouraging members of the campus community to actively participate in community-building efforts.
As necessary, serving as a liaison between the OTP and the Foundations for BSU and NTC to achieve efficient and effective use of the President’s time in philanthropic-related activities and work.
Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of community engagement activities, soliciting feedback from stakeholders, and making adjustments as needed to ensure alignment with institutional goals, community needs, and desired outcomes.

Office of the President Communication

Serving as the OTP liaison with the Office of Communications and Marketing (OCM) and the Minnesota State System Marketing and Communications Office, ensuring alignment of messaging, branding, and communication efforts with the President's objectives, institutional priorities, and systemwide goals and concerns.
Partnering with OCM to develop and implement a comprehensive communication strategy to effectively convey the President's priorities, initiatives, and messages to internal and external stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, government officials, and the broader community.
Ensuring exceptional communication regarding University and College decisions to various units within BSU and NTC and to external stakeholders.
Assisting the President with correspondence dealing with issues and subject matter that requires considerable sensitivity, discretion, judgment or negotiation.
Collaborating with institutional leaders, departments, and committees to disseminate information, gather feedback, and facilitate dialogue on key initiatives, decisions, and issues affecting the institution.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Minimum Qualifications

Master’s degree from an accredited institution.
An ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds, interrupt oppressive structures and practices, and create an institutional culture that is equitable, inclusive, and just.
Excellent demonstrated judgment and diplomacy in working with diverse groups to address complex issues.
Exceptional written, presentation, and verbal communication skills that can be applied across levels.
A disposition for team leadership with executive peers and a proven capacity to lead cross-divisional and/or cross-functional teams to attain strategic outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications

Doctoral or terminal degree in an appropriate and relevant discipline or field.
Understanding of current federal and state higher education policies, issues, regulations, trends, and/or collective bargaining agreements.
Demonstrated record of fundraising achievements.
Ability to manage policy, protocol, and process details while attending to broad institutional priorities within a dynamic and often ambiguous organizational setting.
Experience working in a public state college and university system, and demonstrated ability to effectively lead in a collective bargaining, shared governance environment.
Experience working with executives in (a) higher education, non-profit, or government organization(s).
Experience working with government and elected officials.
Knowledge of emerging trends, challenges and opportunities, current standards, and effective practices in higher education and university operations, at the international, national, and state/system levels.

Other Considerations

Must be able to lawfully accept employment in the United States at the time of an offer of employment.
Official transcript(s) must be provided to Human Resources upon hire.
In accordance with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (Minn State) Vehicle Fleet Safety Program, faculty and staff driving on college/university business, who use a rental or state vehicle, shall be required to complete a vehicle Use Agreement form and conform to Minn State’s vehicle use criteria and consent to a motor vehicle records check.
BSU and NTC are tobacco free workplaces (see policy).

It’s more than a job. It’s an opportunity for the extraordinary.

On the idyllic shores of Lake Bemidji, cradled among the limitless natural beauty of the North Woods and neighbored by Minnesota’s three largest Indigenous nations, Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College offer opportunities for the extraordinary.

Bemidji State University has been ranked as one of the top 30 public institutions in the Midwest region by U.S. News & World Report each year since 2019. BSU offers its diverse student body a comprehensive spectrum of opportunities with nearly 120 undergraduate degrees and emphasis areas in more than 50 areas of study, 14 pre-professional programs, and 14 graduate programs and certificates.

As Bemidji State continues its second century of service, our vision is simple: we educate people to lead inspired lives. To achieve this, BSU centers diversity, equity and inclusion as a core value and strives to create a campus culture in which all members are free to be their authentic selves. BSU also proactively engages with Indigenous communities in northern Minnesota and nationwide toward its goal of becoming a destination university.

Northwest Technical College, one of only three pure technical colleges remaining in Minnesota, helps around 1,000 students align their education with their employment goals. NTC offers more than three dozen certificates, diplomas, and degrees in five career paths. For more than 50 years, NTC has prepared students for fulfilling careers in well-paying, in-demand fields. NTC's accessible, affordable, hands-on programs also help employers meet their ever-growing need for a highly skilled workforce. With an open-enrollment policy and affordable tuition, NTC meets students where they are with a convenient mix of on-campus, online, and hybrid courses.

BSU and NTC are members of the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities, the third-largest system of higher education institutions in the United States. The schools share a unique alignment, with administration and student services generally having dual responsibilities to serve both campuses. Through this alignment, NTC students can take advantage of services, support, activities, and opportunities at BSU that expand and enhance their college experience — such as full access to BSU’s library and the ability to live in BSU’s on-campus resident housing.

For the first time, a joint strategic planning process will guide the future directions for both institutions. The schools are pursuing four shared strategic priorities: student success, the Nisidotaading initiative, northern distinction, and telling our story. These priorities will serve as the foundations for master planning processes for facilities, academic programs, fundraising, information technology, intercollegiate athletics, and diversity, equity, and inclusion, among others.

The Nisidotaading initiative — named for an Ojibwe phrase meaning “building mutual understanding” — is creating a statewide center of excellence. It will develop communities of practice meant to help Minnesota State colleges and universities better educate their campus communities on historical trauma and lived experiences of their Indigenous populations, and how to most effectively guide Indigenous students toward their educational goals. In addition, BSU is the first university in the United States to expose all of its students to a course on Indigenous people before graduation.

Bemidji State University acknowledges that it is located on land and water that is the current and ancestral homeland of the Ojibwe and Dakota. We acknowledge the painful history of genocide, forced assimilation, and efforts to alienate the Indigenous inhabitants from their territory here. We honor and respect the many diverse Indigenous peoples still connected to this land, retained tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, and cultural resilience. Indigenous people are spiritual and physical caretakers of this land to which we all belong. Bemidji State University respects these sacred lands, stands with the community members from these Nations, and will fight injustice in all its forms.

At Minnesota State, the work we do is more than just a job. In their pursuit of purpose, connection, and growth, our employees play a critical role on our campuses. They develop policies, provide essential services, and work to improve the well-being and quality of life for our students and for all Minnesotans. Minnesota State is committed to equity and inclusion, and we invest in our employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities. Unlock your potential through possibility.

The City of Bemidji

Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College lie amid the lakes and forests of northern Minnesota. Bemidji State occupies a wooded campus along the western shore of Lake Bemidji while Northwest Technical College lies just three miles east, near Bemidji’s robust industrial district.?

The city sits between Minnesota’s three largest American Indian tribal nations: the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, the Red Lake Nation and the White Earth Nation. When settling the Bemidji area in 1750, the Ojibwe people named the lake Bemidjigamaag, which means “a lake with crossing waters” as the Mississippi River flows in from the south and exits on the east. Today, a city proper with a population of around 15,000 serves as a regional economic and cultural hub for about 100,000 Minnesotans.

Located just minutes away from a thriving downtown Bemidji, both the BSU and NTC campus communities have convenient access to affordable restaurants, fine-dining experiences, cozy coffee shops, grocery stores — including a natural foods co-op — city parks, and nearly unlimited outdoor recreational opportunities. Small, locally-owned shops and art sculptures line Bemidji's downtown streets, while national chains are also found in and around the area.?The historic Paul Bunyan Playhouse has a calendar of classic shows, restaurants offer weekly live music performances, the First Friday Art Walk provides a tour of new monthly art exhibits, and annual festivals bring the community together throughout the year.?

Additionally, the North Woods setting means students, staff, and faculty have a variety of activities available at their fingertips year-round. With more than 400 lakes — and a 240-acre research forest owned by BSU — within 25 miles of the city, there is easy access to kayaking, canoeing, swimming, boating, paddle boarding, hunting, hiking, biking, foraging, fishing, and more. An expansive network of?multi-use trail systems is available for running, cross-country skiing, single-track or fat-tire biking, and skijoring. Further, downhill skiing, snowboarding, and tubing lie just north of Bemidji at the Buena Vista Ski Area.

Bemidji is also near two of Minnesota’s 66 state parks:?Lake Bemidji State Park, which sits along Lake Bemidji’s northern shore, and Itasca State Park, home to the majestic Mississippi River Headwaters. Both parks are popular recreational and camping destinations where locals and tourists gather for sailing, swimming, and fishing during the summer months, and?skating, hockey, curling, and—yes—more fishing in the winter.?

Of course, no tour of Bemidji is complete without a visit to — and a selfie with — its two most famous residents: the iconic statues of Paul Bunyan and his trusty companion, Babe the Blue Ox. The famed duo, which has greeted visitors to Bemidji since 1937, is on the National Register of Historic Places and was once ranked by Kodak as the second most-photographed statue in America.

For further information about BSU visit http://www.bemidjistate.edu or NTC at https://www.ntcmn.edu.

To Apply

Apply by November 19, 2024.

External Applicants: Apply for Vacancy Posting JR0000000818, on our career site: https://minnstate.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Minnesota_State_Careers or at https://minnstate.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Minnesota_State_Careers/details/Head-of-Staff-Office-of-the-President_JR0000000818?q=JR0000000818.

Internal Applicants: All current employees will need to log in to the career site in Workday to apply for the position. Employees will search for “Browse Jobs – Employees” in Workday via the search bar at the top to view open positions.

Please do not email applications.

If you have questions about this position, please contact:
Allyssa Joseph, Vice President of Advancement and Executive Director of the Foundation
218-755-2876
allyssa.joseph@bemidjistate.edu

If you have questions about submitting an application, contact:
Mary Miller
mary.miller@bemidjistate.edu