Executive Director, Southwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnership

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 portfolio 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 project progress and outcomes to Board, work group members, and regional stakeholders.
• Pursue external fundraising activities to support Regional projects by identifying and responding to funding opportunities, such as grants, program agreements, and fees, and work with the Extension Development office on donor prospects and cultivation.
• As interests and qualifications allow, serve as liaison between the RSDP program and Institute on the Environment.

The Executive Director is accountable to the Southwest RSDP Board of Directors and the Statewide Director. The Executive Director is supervised by the RSDP Statewide Director.

Required Qualifications:

• A BA/BS degree and six years of related experience.
• Experience with community networking in one or more of the Southwest RSDP four focus areas (natural resources, sustainable agriculture and food systems, clean energy, and resilient communities) or community and rural development.
• Leadership experience including supervision, board management or leading project teams
• Project management experience.
• Budget management experience.
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating, organizing, and leading diverse groups through decision making and planning processes.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to:
  1. Work in a university setting and in rural communities
  2. Work independently and with teams
  3. Be effective in building relationships with community members throughout the Region
  4. Work with people and organizations that represent diverse and changing rural demographics.
• Valid driver's license and reliable vehicle with required liability insurance, to be utilized for frequent travel within Minnesota.
• Must be able to drive up to approximately 500 miles per month within the designated communities and for in-person engagement. Must be able to drive around the state 12 months/year, and have 12-18 overnight stays each year.
• A mobile number that can be used and published, as needed, for work purposes and will be published in the Extension public staff directory.
• Access to a reliable internet connection and ability to work remotely as needed or when arranged.
• Must be able to attend meetings and in-person programming in various buildings, temperatures, and outdoor settings.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree or PhD in a range of disciplines related to community development, agriculture, and/or natural resources.
• Experience working with under-represented, including rural, communities in order to foster relationships, identify opportunities for collaboration, and partner on projects.
• Two years of experience supervising professionals
• Appreciation of the opportunities and challenges facing Southwest Minnesota and knowledge of the topography, communities and Native nations sharing the geography.
• Experience with:
  1. Contracting and invoicing
  2. Grant writing and grant administration

University of Minnesota Extension is a major outreach arm of the University of Minnesota with a mission to serve the public through applied research and education. Our mission is to make a difference by connecting community needs and University resources to address critical issues in Minnesota. Extension strives to attract and retain high-quality, passionate employees, and weave diversity, equity and inclusion into all aspects of Extension's programming and employee engagement. Find further information on the Extension website.

Pay Range: $84,000 - $97,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: 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

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

Please include the following attachments with your online application:

1. Cover letter
2. Resume/Vitae

Contact information for three professional references and college transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable) will be required during the interview process.

Please note: This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

Additional documents may be attached after the application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section. See full application instructions.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please email employ@umn.edu or call 612-624-UOHR (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.