"CDSI Project Manager"

Job Details

About the Job

CDSI Project Manager
9704PD, Ed Pro 4-Ed Prog Dev & Implm
80% time

About the Job:
University of Minnesota Critical Disability Studies Initiative (CDSI) invites applications for the position of Project Manager (9704PD, Ed Pro 4-Ed Prog Dev & Implmt). The priority review deadline for application materials is December 15, 2025.

The Project Manager for the University of Minnesota Critical Disability Studies Initiative (CDSI) manages a three-year project funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to establish an intersectional and transnational critical disability studies curricular program at the University of Minnesota. The position serves as the administrative lead for CDSI, acting as the liaison between CDSI and its University partners, the Mellon Foundation, and the broader community. It oversees cross-unit collaborations, implements annual programming, and manages budgets and reporting for the Mellon grant, as well as any additional external or internal grants.

The Project Manager reports to the Principal Investigator/Faculty Director (Dr. Jessica Horvath Williams) and works with the whole CDSI leadership team to develop a Critical Disability Studies program (UMN-CDS). The Project Manager will support the CDSI team in implementing faculty fellowships to develop cross-college critical disability studies courses, organizing and submitting materials for program status, and managing the timeline to complete a graduate certificate and an undergraduate major in CDS within the three-year grant period. The position will collaborate with the Department of English and the Center for Race, Indigeneity, Disability, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (RIDGS) to meet the requirements for undergraduate and graduate programs, respectively, in accordance with UMN policies.

The Project Manager serves as a liaison between CDSI and the Twin Cities and Minnesota disability communities, working closely with the leadership team to create focus groups for curricular development, organize events in collaboration with community partners, and manage funding support as outlined in the UMN-CDS Mellon initiative. The person in this position will also work closely with the PI and leadership team to develop and implement CDS community-engaged research and scholarship, and to coordinate with regional disability studies scholars/programs. With support from the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) and the English department, the Project Manager will oversee annual programming, including reading groups, guest speakers, symposia, and social events.

CDSI is housed primarily in the Department of English on the East Bank of the TC campus. The position will be hybrid. The Project Manager will have office space available in Pillsbury Hall; however, most work can be performed remotely, if preferred. Attendance at some in-person events and meetings will be necessary.

Job Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning (50%):
• Develop and deploy methods and processes for tracking deadlines, details, logs, communications, goals, tasks, and evaluations throughout the grant period.
• Co-facilitate project planning sessions with the leadership team to help develop the project scope, deliverables, and schedule.
• Assist with content development and submission processes for initiatives, programming, curriculum, research, teaching, and engagement, as well as tools for the group’s work.
• With the Faculty Director, UMN-CDS affiliates, and collaborators, implement the logistics for programming, exhibits, and oversee the evaluation of project activities.
• With the Faculty Director and Leadership Team, plan and implement ongoing and new programming, including the annual CDS lecture, research symposium, reading and writing groups, events, and specialized curricular opportunities.
• Serve as the primary liaison between key University partners, including but not limited to campus leadership/administration, the Department of English, the Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS), the Center for Race, Indigeneity, Disability (RIDGS), Gender, and Sexuality Studies (GWSS), and various disability-related groups or units across the UMN system.
• Cultivate, develop, and maintain research, curricular, and programmatic collaborative relations with constituencies including faculty, staff, students, and alumni.
• Draft and publish advisory board charter in collaboration with UMN-CDS faculty/affiliates.
• Develop and maintain relations with CDS constituencies across colleges and universities in the Midwest regarding research, curricular, and programmatic collaborative relations.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with University leadership, development officers, and donors, and effectively share strategic plans, goals, and promising initiative.
• Manage project evaluation processes.
• Facilitate CDSI Team meetings.

Finance & Development (30%):
• Identify and monitor relevant university, governmental, and private foundations for funding opportunities that align with UMN-CDS research and curriculum interests.
• Co-write and submit grant proposals according to the identified funding opportunities, as deemed appropriate by the Principal Investigator and CDS affiliates.
• Assist collaborators and contributors in navigating University and Sponsor requirements.
• Work with CLA Grants Office and fiscal management staff to ensure compliance with all University and funder procedures.
• Work with UMN financial and administrative personnel to manage budget.
• Help coordinate, track, and manage any subcontracts, subawards, and other financial arrangements for payments.
• Write annual and final project reports for the funder and support evaluation in consultation with the PI and UMN-CDS affiliates.
• Communicate with Mellon and University units to facilitate grant management.

Communication & Outreach (20%):
• Manage communications between faculty team members and project participants, contributors, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Coordinate communications plan with university collaborators, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Serve as a UMN RIDGS Board representative.
• Collaborate with CDS affiliates to enhance partnerships with local disability justice organizations, in alignment with UMN-CDS’s commitment to community engagement.
• Draw on knowledge of disability communities and UMN-CDS values and projects, and make connections to help reach mutually determined goals.
• Develop and manage effective communication strategies. This may include websites, social media, newsletters, email list distribution, and management of archived event materials.
• Oversee the promotion and advertisement of current and forthcoming UMN-CDS courses and program.

Qualifications

Required qualifications:
• BA/BS degree plus at least five years of related experience, or master's degree plus at least three years of related experience.
• Excellent organization, time management, and communication skills.

Preferred qualifications:
• Direct experience working on large projects funded through private grant foundations.
• Advanced degree (M.A. or Ph.D.) in the humanities or social sciences with a focus in ethnic studies, disability studies, and/or gender/feminist studies.
• Demonstrated experience completing complex administrative functions (financial, curricular, student services, human resources) in a research university or 4-year liberal arts college.
• Experience with project management software (e.g., Notion, ClickUp, Trello, Asana) to coordinate and track projects and to communicate with team members.
• Connection to disability communities in Minnesota.
• Experience supporting accommodation requests and access measures, including digital accessibility.
• Experience building accessible websites, coordinating social media content, and facilitating digital media projects.

About the Department

Critical Disability Studies Initiative

Since 2015, the Critical Disability Studies Collective (CDSC) has fostered a thriving academic community around interdisciplinary, intersectional, and transnational approaches to studying disability. We've collaborated with numerous partners to hold reading/writing groups, symposia, visiting speakers, pedagogy workshops, and more. We believe the time is ripe to build infrastructure and long-term commitment for a degree-granting critical disability studies program at UMN. For more information see https://cdsc.umn.edu/.

About the College of Liberal Arts

Home to the arts, social sciences and humanities disciplines and programs, the College of Liberal Arts is the largest college in the University of Minnesota and comprises 31 academic departments, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units. CLA has over 1,300 faculty and staff spanning research, teaching, advising, outreach, and administrative functions. CLA units reside in over twenty buildings on the East Bank and West Bank of the Twin Cities campus. CLA enrolls nearly 13,000 undergraduate students, over 40% of the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus, 1,400 graduate students, and has an annual all-funds budget of $290 million.

CLA is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational commitment begins in our CLA Constitution. CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines, recruiting, and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse perspectives and viewpoints—so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills we need to understand and respect differences.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $44,000 - $60,000 per year ( actual salary for 80% position) depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 80% Appointment

Position is grant-funded. The initial appointment is for one year, with the possibility of renewal, contingent upon performance and funding, for up to two additional years.

Position Type : Professional and Administrative

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

How To Apply

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.

Required application materials: Cover letter and Resume.

Additional materials may be requested from finalists at a later date.

Priority Deadline on December 15, 2025.

The 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.

Diversity

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

Employment Requirements

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.