Title:                           Regional Director

Classification:           Community Relations/Outreach Manager 2 (9341R2), P&A

Extension Area:        Field Operations

Office Location:        Extension Regional Offices â“ Marshall & Worthington â“ Southwest Region

Salary Range:            $93,000 â“ 100,000; Depending on qualifications

Initial Deadline:         January 24, 2025

About the Position:

This Southwest Regional Director position supports the Marshall & Worthington Regional Offices and counties located within approximately 120 miles in the southwest region. 

The Regional Director serves a major role in Extension operations, providing critical functions related to internal and external stakeholders and relationships, county funding, talent/staff management, and overall management of regional and county offices.  To be successful, the Regional Director must provide strong leadership and management skills consistent with University of Minnesota Extension mission, vision, and core values. The Regional Director interacts effectively with a variety of interested groups and staff.  They are committed to expanding and fostering diversity and inclusion, and respecting the unique needs, perspectives and potentials of several. This position is part of a statewide team of Regional Directors and works within a Regional Director team, serving a designated number of counties in a geographic region that spans approximately 120 miles. 

The Regional Director works closely with both programmatic and operations staff and serves as the principal communicator for the Regional Office. 

Commitment to diversity and inclusion, effective partnership development, supervisory guidance and continuing professional development are important to successful job performance. The Regional Director reports to the Director of Statewide Operations.

Duties, responsibilities, and performance expectations:

Management â“ 50%

Budget Management:

• Using knowledge of the county government budget process and funding structure, build support for, develop, and manage county budgets by engaging CEC members, county boards, and county administration
• Negotiate the level of investment for local program delivery via the Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) between the University and counties
• Monitor and manage county and regional office budgets

Office Operations Management:

• Manage regional and county office space, leases, clerical coverage, inventory, purchases, safety, and emergency plans
• Monitor technology resources in regional and county offices to meet the functional needs of staff and comply with University and County standards
• Support regional program delivery, including negotiation of office space, office clerical support, technology, and finance
• Provide leadership and ensure compliance with workplace and employment safety 
• Spearhead the development and implementation of effective operational strategies and processes, including communicating, maintaining, and updating the operations instructions 
• Provide leadership for USDA/NIFA Civil Rights compliance and commitment to diversity

Talent/Staff Management: 

• Promote a positive and productive work environment and teamwork among staff in county and regional offices, convening staff conferences, meetings and retreats, and encouraging transparent communication
• Build a positive and supportive working environment within the office
• Lead the hiring process for university-hired administrative support and ensure recruitment and retention practices include approaches which seek to reach historically under-served and under-represented audiences
• Onboard and support learning of all administrative staff and encourage professional development and growth
• Lead and serve on county, regional and state search committees
• Supervise regional administrative support staff and university-hired county administrative support staff, and ensure effective performance management through goal setting and work plans
• Work with appropriate representatives when office team issues arise, and coaching and support may be needed
• Provide work guidance and support to assigned work functions. Determine and assign administrative support for program staff 

Relationships and Communications â“ 50% 

Internal/External Relations & Communications:

• Facilitate County Extension Committee (CEC) leadership and development through member selection and onboarding; support of meetings and materials; capacity building for budget development, identification of local needs, program input for local Extension staff; and recruitment of CEC members to participate in skill-building opportunities
• Communicate the value of, and advocate for, Extension programs and positions with new and existing interested groups 
• Advocate for sustaining and increasing county investments and Extension partnerships
• Deliver presentations to stakeholders (County Boards, tribal nations and community groups, etc.)
• Nurture regional legislative relationships
• Serve on committees and leadership teams to represent Extensionâ™s interests
• Provide leadership in internal communication, team building, and collaboration with county and regional staff

Program Support Relations & Communications:

• Provide leadership in internal communication, team building, and collaboration with county and regional staff
• Develop and maintain working relationships with Extension Program Leaders to:
  •  support program and talent development
  • collectively ensure program success through local staff hiring practices, onboarding, conflict management, and financial stewardship
  • communicate program outcomes and impacts with interested groups to ensure public support and funding for Extension
• Listen to stakeholdersâ™ perspectives to determine local needs and emerging issues, and communicate these to Extension program leaders
• Build administrative and supervisory relationships throughout Extension and other University academic units to create synergies
• Ensure county MOA deliverables are met

Professional development:

Individuals in the Regional Director role will identify and participate in professional development opportunities in support of Extensionâ™s organizational goals and mission.

Required Qualifications/Competencies:

• A Bachelorâ™s degree and eight (8) years of related experience in Higher Education, government, public, or non-profit agency or Extension
• Experience developing budgets and managing finances.
• Experience working with boards/advisory committees
• Strategic decision-making experience 
• Two (2) years of experience supervising non-student professionals, including training, managing performance, coaching and team building.
• Experience with office management (space, equipment, leases, etcâ¦)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Experience effectively interacting with people from various cultural backgrounds, including race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, socioeconomic status, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and other aspects of human diversity.
• Skilled at Microsoft and Google Suite applications

Additional Requirements:

• Valid driver's license and own means of transportation with required liability insurance. See policy on Use of Personal Vehicle for University Business.
• Must be able to work regularly at a dedicated/assigned Extension office and must have reliable internet if/when working outside of the office.
• When not in the assigned office location, must be reachable with a number that will be published in the Extension staff directory. 
• Ability to work on a computer for prolonged periods of time.
• Ability to lift, push, pull, carry at least 20 pounds occasionally
• Must be able to travel regularly to perform the responsibilities of this position; approximate average travel within the region 25% time each week. Reimbursement for travel and subsistence is available in accordance with University policy. 
• Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including occasional evening and weekend work, and overnight stays at least 4 times a year.
• This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications/Competencies:

• Success working and leading in a complex, multi-layered and collaborative environment
• Demonstrated skills in conflict management or organizational problem-solving
• Demonstrated leadership ability and an ability to influence others directly and indirectly.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, using sound judgement, and the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing across all levels of the organization
• Experience managing teams where employees are geographically dispersed.

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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