Assoc Director, Graduate Faculty Advising

Graduate School
Office of Faculty Initiatives
Associate Director for Graduate Faculty Mentoring and Advising Initiatives
Classification: 9762 SS Pro 6

The Graduate School at the University of Minnesota (UMN) invites applications for the role of Associate Director for Graduate Faculty Mentoring and Advising Initiatives within the Office of Faculty Initiatives (OFI). This position provides a unique opportunity to shape the mentoring and advising landscape at UMN. This impactful position focuses on fostering meaningful, sustained relationships between faculty and their mentees by leading initiatives in effective mentoring, recognizing exemplary mentorship, and addressing challenges in faculty-student interactions.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Faculty Initiatives, this strategic partner will collaborate with university leaders to advance a culture of respect, inclusion, professionalism, and accountability across UMN's graduate and postdoctoral training communities. This position provides a unique opportunity to engage with faculty from diverse disciplines and foster community across departments; and to shape the mentoring and advising landscape at UMN.
This is a 100%, 12-month, annually renewable academic professional appointment (classification 9762 SS Pro 6). The total term of the appointment is 3 years.

Key Responsibilities:

Envision, Develop, and Implement Strategic Partnerships and Programming to Advance Best Practices in Faculty Advising and Mentoring. (90%)
The Associate Director for Graduate Faculty Mentoring and Advising Initiatives leads the OFI coaching and consulting efforts to promote the growth, development, quality, and sustainability of OFI strategies and initiatives to enhance effective and inclusive advising and mentioning relationships of faculty with graduate students and postdoctoral scholars at the UMN.
* Envision, develop and deliver innovative programming and resources that enhance faculty mentoring and advising practices.
* Collaborate with university partners to shape institutional policies; and to promote best practices in mentoring and advising, aligned with UMN's strategic goals.
* Lead key initiatives to recognize and celebrate exemplary mentoring by faculty.
* Provide strategic guidance on addressing mentoring challenges and fostering productive faculty-mentee relationships.
* Engage with external networks and peer institutions to identify and implement emerging trends in mentoring and advising excellence.
* Develop and conduct regular needs and program effectiveness assessments to determine priority areas for content development for graduate advising and mentoring resources and programming; and to ensure data-driven decision making and resources allocations.

OFI Strategic Planning and Growth. (5%)
In partnership with the Associate Dean, OFI and OFI Team,
* Identify short and long-term goals and objectives for OFI strategic focus areas based on University and Graduate School strategic priorities, and input from Graduate School constituencies and stakeholders.
* Contribute to, and participate in, engagement with the OFI Consultative Committee, related working groups and strategic planning teams to deliver programming that advances the OFI mission and the short and long-term goals and objectives of the OFI strategic focus areas.

Perform Other duties and projects as assigned or necessary to advance the Graduate School and OFI missions. (5%)
* Understand and align work with the missions, visions, and values of the Graduate School and the OFI.
* Contribute to GS meetings and committees as required or requested.
* Contribute to the OFI Team by actively participating in team meetings and working collaboratively in support of OFI strategic priorities.
* Support OFI meetings and events as needed or required.
* Actively and consistently pursue and participate in professional development opportunities to engage in continuous learning, growth, and development in a leadership capacity.

WORK MODE:

Graduate School staff are currently working in a hybrid mode (some time remote and some time on campus) and are currently required to be on campus on Wednesdays (this arrangement is subject to change).

Required Qualifications:

* Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g. organizational leadership; higher education; psychology; etc.) plus 8 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g. organizational leadership; higher education; psychology, etc.) plus 6 years of related experience.
* At least 3 years of experience in consulting, teaching, or program development.
* Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations and adapt to evolving priorities.
* Strong communication, presentation, and assessment skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

* Doctoral degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., or equivalent) in a relevant field (e.g. organizational leadership; higher education; psychology; etc.).
* Experience with graduate education, postdoctoral training, or faculty development.
* Certification or experience in consulting, coaching, or group facilitation.
* Cultural competence and humility in working with diverse groups.

About the Graduate School:

WHO WE ARE: The central advocate for all research-based graduate programs at the University of Minnesota, the Graduate School is dedicated to the advancement of consequential knowledge.

WHAT WE DO: We've been entrusted with fostering diversity, maintaining quality standards, providing guidance and counsel, and facilitating dialogue across a broad array of critical and relevant research disciplines.

WHO WE DO IT FOR: Our diverse and vibrant community of students and scholars is essential to our work, but ultimately our goal is to equip these individuals to lead, collaborate, develop new ideas, and address complex challenges in a way that advances academia, industry, our region, and the global society.
WHY WE'RE DIFFERENT: As Minnesota's only research institution, we have over 170+ distinct programs in both thriving metropolis and outstate locations. Our students enjoy an unmatched breadth, depth and caliber of opportunity for interdisciplinary study, community impact, practical application, and compelling scholarship. The Graduate School is an advocate for knowledge, taking on an integral support role to the research based graduate programs, scholars, and students at the University of Minnesota. Promoting forward-looking dialogue around contemporary issues of significance. Ensuring quality education. And supporting our programs so that they are equipped to shape generation after generation of thought creators and change agents.

Why Join Us:

This position offers the opportunity to shape faculty-student relationships, enhance mentorship practices, and contribute to the professional and academic success of the UMN community.
Join a collaborative team committed to fostering inclusivity, respect, and innovation, with opportunities to shape initiatives that reflect your expertise and passion for mentoring and advising

Pay Range: $72,000-$82,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 75%-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 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.

* a cover letter
* curriculum vitae/resume
* list of three professional references with their contact information
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.

Application review will begin immediately and will close once a sufficiently qualified pool is identifed but not sooner than February 25, 2025. All applications will be held confidential and will not be made public without permission of the applicant. To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).
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.

This position will remain open until filled.

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

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.

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).