Executive Director of Wellbeing, Empowerment, and Belonging - Military Veterans

Reports To:
Dean, Carlson School of Management

Position Overview:
The Executive Director of Wellbeing, Empowerment, and Belonging will serve as a senior leader responsible for driving diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) strategy and initiatives at the Carlson School of Management. Reporting to the Dean of the Carlson School, the Executive Director will lead the development and execution of programming focused on fostering a culture of mental, emotional, physical, and relational wellbeing for the Carlson School faculty, staff, and students and translating our core value that âœPeople Matter Mostâ through innovative employee engagement and empowerment initiatives. The Executive Director will also supervise the Director of the Center for Inclusive Excellence, providing high-level strategic vision and ensuring the alignment of DEIB initiatives with the broader goals of the Carlson School.

This position is ideal for a leader who is passionate about fostering an inclusive, empowered environment through DEIB leadership, employee engagement programming, and community-building efforts. The Executive Director will play a key role in ensuring that the Carlson School is a place where all members of the community can thrive.

Key Responsibilities:

1. DEIB Leadership (30%):

• Serve as the senior DEIB leader for the Carlson School, advising the Dean and executive committee on related matters, aligning initiatives with the school's mission, and serving as the school's spokesperson for these matters as needed.
• Supervise the Director of the Center for Inclusive Excellence, providing strategic oversight and ensuring the Center's goals are integrated into the broader institutional priorities.
• Collaborate with academic leaders, department heads, and other units to incorporate DEIB best practices into faculty and staff recruitment, curriculum, and overall operations.
• Partner with key University diversity leaders to advance DEIB objectives for the school and the University.
• Develop and implement data-driven strategies to assess the impact of DEIB initiatives and make adjustments to drive meaningful progress.

2. Community Wellbeing (30%):

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of wellbeing programs that address the mental, emotional, physical, and relational health of Carlson School faculty, staff, and students.
• Collaborate with Carlson's student-facing mental health counselors, program staff who work on student wellbeing, and University-wide support services to ensure a coordinated approach to wellbeing for students across the school.
• Set a vision and goals for effective wellbeing programming and convene resources from within and outside of the Carlson School to execute the vision.
• Use data and feedback to continuously assess the effectiveness of wellbeing programs and make necessary adjustments to meet the evolving needs of the community.

3. Employee Engagement and Empowerment (30%):

• Develop and implement innovative employee engagement programs that create a sense of community, pride, and empowerment among faculty and staff.
• Work collaboratively with Carlson School Human Resources to implement comprehensive employee recognition programs that celebrate outstanding performance, work anniversaries, and other achievements.
• Plan, coordinate, and partner on engagement events and activities, such as social gatherings and team-building events, to enhance camaraderie, strengthen relationships across the Carlson School, and enable a spirit of fun.
• Partner with school and University leadership to identify strategies that promote employee retention and professional development.
• Gather and act on employee feedback to ensure programs and initiatives are responsive to the needs and aspirations of the Carlson School faculty and staff.

4. Community Building and Outreach (10%):

• Coordinate with Institutional Advancement to foster relationships with alumni, business leaders, and the broader community to enhance wellbeing and DEIB efforts.
• Support initiatives that strengthen connections among faculty, staff, and students, promoting an inclusive and empowered Carlson School community.
• Collaborate with University-wide efforts and external organizations to ensure that the Carlson School remains at the forefront of wellbeing and DEIB innovation.

The Executive Director will have responsibility for managing the budget for programs, services, and operations related to staff and faculty engagement and wellbeing initiatives and will have accountability for strategic budgeting for various DEIB initiatives, including the budget of the Center for Inclusive Excellence.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires a BA/BS degree and at least 12 years of relevant experience in DEIB strategy, employee engagement, and/or wellbeing initiatives.
• Proven experience and history of success in supervising groups
• Demonstrated leadership in advancing DEIB within a complex organization, including championing policies and initiatives that foster an inclusive culture.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills, with proven ability to collaborate with diverse groups of stakeholders across all levels of an institution.
• Strong track record of building, leading, and facilitating successful wellbeing, engagement, and/or DEIB programs, as well as working across departments to achieve strategic goals.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree or higher in a relevant field.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and exercise sound judgment in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in higher education or a large, complex institution.
• Proven success in measuring the impact of DEIB, employee engagement, and/or wellbeing initiatives and using data to guide improvements.
• Knowledge of wellbeing strategies and tools used to create a healthier work environment.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into operational outcomes.