Location(s)

Director, Women’s Center
Office of the Vice President and Vice Provost for Equity and Diversity
University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota is a major research institution dedicated to excellence. The University also embraces diversity as one of its core values and recognizes that equity and diversity are critical to achieving its institutional strategic positioning goals. One important action evidencing this commitment was the creation of the Office of the Vice President and Vice Provost for Equity and Diversity which includes the following units:

The Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action; Disability Services; the
Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence; the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Ally Programs Office; and the Women’s Center.

The University invites nominations for the Director of the Women’s Center (WC), a
position that reports to the Assistant Vice President for Equity and Diversity (OED). The WC has a key leadership role in maintaining and improving the campus climate for women students, faculty, and staff, including recognizing and supporting diversity based on race, ethnicity, gender expression, religion, differing abilities, sexual orientation, and socio-economic background. Founded in 1960, the Women's Center has a rich history of serving the needs of the university's female faculty, staff, and students. The University of Minnesota was the first institution in the nation to create an office dedicated to the concerns of academic women, and since then, the office has established many programs,
services, and initiatives to support the success of all women at the University.

Responsibilities
• Serve as a critical member of the Leadership Team in the Office of the Vice
President and Vice Provost for Equity and Diversity to create and sustain a
campus environment that values and actively supports an inclusive and diverse
University community.
• Continue to move the WC forward in examining and strengthening its role in the
University’s and OED’s strategic positioning process.
• Lead and advocate on behalf of women to raise awareness concerning women’s
issues, and build on that awareness to eliminate barriers to access, inclusion and
advancement.
• Continue effective existing programs and create new initiatives, programs, and
activities to facilitate community building, mentoring, networking, and personal
support; opportunities for professional and personal growth; recognition and
celebration of women’s accomplishments; and creation of a welcoming, inclusive
environment free from barriers and discrimination.
• Insure that women’s diverse voices are heard in all aspects of University work,
learning, and governance as well as enhancing opportunities for collaboration
through service on various campus committees and task forces.
• Engage the University community in the work of the center by creating an
environment where differences are respected, contributions of all women are
valued, and students, faculty, and staff work together as equal partners.
• Serve women undergraduate and graduate students by providing academic
enrichment programs and events; facilitating networking and mentoring; and
offering information and referrals regarding leadership development, career and
service learning opportunities on campus.
• Maintain working relationships and collaborate with other University offices and
centers that address women’s issues and concerns including those on coordinate
campuses, to share information, work on common issues, and provide
programmatic support.
• Build on the rich history of the center by continuing to be a national leader on the
concerns of women in higher education.
• Provide leadership and oversight for all aspects of the center including program
and fund development, budget, supervision, mentoring, and evaluation of staff
members, team building, and communication.

Qualifications
Required:
• Graduate or Professional Degree
• Three years of full-time experience working on women’s issues
• Demonstrated experience in working effectively with diverse individuals and
groups
• Knowledge of and experience working on issues for women as well as broader
issues of equity and diversity
• Ability to relate effectively to students and work cooperatively with faculty and
staff
• Experience supervising staff
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent writing skills

Preferred:
• Ph.D. or comparable terminal degree
• Five years of full-time experience working on a college or university campus
• Ability to encourage creativity and innovation
• Demonstrated planning and organizational development skills
• Administrative experience in higher education
• Experience in analyzing policy issues and advocating for policy change
More information about the Women’s Center and the Office of the Vice President and Vice Provost is available at: http://www.academic.umn.edu/equity/.

Applications
Applications must be made electronically through the University of Minnesota's Online Employment System at https://employment.umn.edu/ Requisition number 158501.

Please submit the following documents online: a current resume, a list identifying three references with contact information, and a letter explaining very specifically how your educational, experiential and employment record meets the essential and preferred qualifications for this position.

Applications will be reviewed beginning October 14, 2008 and will be accepted until the position is filled.

If you have questions regarding the position, please contact Linda Vang at
vang0286@umn.edu or (Phone: 612-625-8680). If you have difficulty negotiating the electronic application process, please contact Human Resources at 612-625-2000
This is a 100 percent time, 12-month, annually renewable professional and administrative position on the University's Twin Cities campus. Salary is competitive and negotiable based upon qualifications and experience. The University offers a strong, comprehensive rewards package to its employees and information about benefits available to professional and administrative employees can be found at http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/benefits/bensum.html.

The University of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status or sexual orientation. This document is available in alternative formats upon request at 612-624-0594.