Director of Organizational Effectiveness & Talent Strategy

This role leads the design and implementation of talent management, organizational effectiveness, and learning initiatives for employees at the University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF) and the University-wide Development Community, spanning colleges and units across the University's five campuses. This collective workforce of approximately 450 professionals, both centralized and dispersed, supports Minnesota's largest charitable giving organization.
The Director develops programs that enhance employee performance in current roles, prepare individuals for career growth, and align workforce capabilities with evolving organizational needs to drive fundraising success.

This position collaborates with senior leaders at UMF, University-wide Development leaders, and HR partners to ensure effective, sustainable implementation and measurable results.

Responsibilities

Talent Management (40%)

• Develop and implement a strategic talent management plan aligned with organizational goals.
• Partner with VPHR and senior leadership to assess and anticipate future talent needs.
• Oversee processes, tools, training, and reporting for talent assessments and reviews across UMF and University-wide development teams.
• Lead the design and delivery of core HR processes, including goal setting, performance reviews, development planning, and succession planning.
• Curate and implement leadership development programs to support leaders at all levels, from new supervisors to senior executives.

Change Management and Organizational Effectiveness (30%)

• Create and implement initiatives to enhance organizational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Provide consulting services to leaders and teams on topics such as team dynamics, new leader integration, and facilitation.
• Lead organizational change initiatives to support growth and transformation.
• Conduct employee engagement surveys, analyze results, and facilitate action planning and follow-up.
• Partner with leadership and HR to design and optimize organizational structures.
• Develop HRMS tools and processes that support talent management initiatives.

Learning and Development (20%)

• Design and facilitate training programs that build leadership competencies and align with organizational priorities.
• Develop and implement onboarding experiences to enhance new employee engagement, reduce onboarding time, and improve retention.
• Collaborate with VPHR and senior leadership to integrate strategies for inclusion and belonging into HR programs and processes.

Communication and Collaboration (10%)

• Foster effective communication and collaboration across stakeholders, departments, and teams.
• Analyze information, prepare reports and presentations, and manage communication workflows between leaders and teams.
• Assist in planning and executing HR initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in organizational development, business administration, human resources, or a related field (organizational development preferred).
• Eight years of experience in organizational development or talent management, including performance management, succession planning, leadership development, and learning programs.
• Proven mastery in driving strategic talent management initiatives, including talent assessment, succession planning, and leadership development, with a demonstrated ability to align HR strategies seamlessly with organizational objectives.
• Extensive experience in leading organizational change initiatives, including the design and implementation of strategies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, while consulting with leaders on team dynamics, new leader integration, and facilitation to drive successful transformation efforts.
• Experience in designing learning strategies to facilitate engaging workshops and trainings for diverse audiences, utilizing adult learning principles and instructional design.
• Strong and confident communicator with interpersonal and relationship management skills, with the ability to present and build trust and collaborate effectively across teams and senior leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence without direct authority across functions and organizational levels.
• Highly organized strategic thinker with the ability to execute plans tactically, leveraging strong project management and change leadership skills.
• Mastery in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint ).

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in organizational development, business administration, human resources, or a related field (organizational development preferred).
• Ten years of experience in organizational development or talent management, including performance management, succession planning, leadership development, and learning programs.
• External client consulting experience.
• Experience in other HR functions such as HR Manager or Director, HR Business Partner or talent acquisition.
• Experience in higher education setting.

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.

Pay Range: $120,000- 140,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University 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

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given 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.

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

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

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).