VP of Strategic Advocacy

About the Job

The Vice President of Strategic Advocacy mobilizes the talent and influence of 641,000 alumni, transforming their passion and loyalty into institutional impact across the entire state and beyond. Reporting to the UMAA CEO, this leader crafts the organization’s influence and advocacy voice and shapes the leadership narrative through high-level executive communications and UMAA Board governance oversight.

Leading a team of five, the VP oversees the “One Alumni Community” strategy, leveraging the full talent of alumni and staff to elevate engagement and outcomes. By establishing deep partnerships with colleagues across all five campuses, the VP ensures that this unified strategy serves as a transformative milestone, positioning alumni as premier champions of the University.

Direct reports include: the Associate Vice President for Advocacy and Public Affairs and the Senior Director of Executive Operations.

Executive Communications & Positioning (40%):

• Shape the UMAA leadership narrative, CEO, and Board communications across all platforms, including speeches, written communications, briefings, etc.
• Oversee the Senior Director of Executive Operations to provide comprehensive strategic support for the CEO and UMAA Board of Directors.
• Develop high-level presentations and briefing materials for the CEO’s engagements with internal and external audiences.

Strategic Advocacy (30%):

• Develop and empower the long-term strategy for alumni mobilization and influence as champions of the University.
• Direct the high-level alignment between UMAA legislative advocacy and University Government Relations, focusing on federal and broad state policy priorities.
• Lead the overarching communications strategy with alumni when high-stakes, time-sensitive issues arise.
• Establish executive-level partnerships with University Marketing & Communications to position the alumni voice as “loud and proud” ambassadors of the University.

One Alumni Community & Greater Minnesota Integration (20%):

• Ignite "One Alumni Community" and cascade University priorities across the entire alumni population, with a focus on Greater Minnesota.
• Leverage the strength and talent of alumni relations professionals across the five campuses to elevate the opportunities for engagement and University impact.
• Ensure the "One Alumni Community" vision is realized through growth in the outcomes for each campus over time.

Team Leadership & Performance (10%)

• Develop and lead a high-performing team.
• As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, collaborate with UMAA colleagues to support the long-term success of the UMAA.
• Establish and report on key engagement metrics to ensure effectiveness and ROI of advocacy efforts and leadership influence.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Experience: BA/BS degree plus at least 10 years in executive communications, public affairs, or institutional strategy, preferably within a complex university system or high-profile non-profit.
• Communication Mastery: Exceptional ability to craft executive-level remarks, columns, and strategic presentations.
• Collaborative Leadership: Proven ability to build formal partnerships across large-scale departments like Marketing Communications and Government Relations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advocacy & Governance: Familiarity with legislative advocacy and preferred experience advising a CEO and Board of Directors.

About the Department

Founded in 1904, the University of Minnesota Alumni Association​® (UMAA) connects alumni with each other, supports student success, and advances the University of Minnesota. The Alumni Association advocates for the University and its alumni with a credible, independent, and collaborative voice. Members make Alumni Association programs strong and ensure that the more than half a million alumni of the Twin Cities and Rochester campuses share a sense of belonging to our vibrant global community of learners, makers, and doers.

Through the U of M Alumni Association's programs and services, we strive to create impact and enrichment to our alumni no matter who or where they are.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $125,000-$150,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Priority Application Deadline: Monday, May 4

Time Appointment: 100%-time Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and 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
• 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. To ensure full consideration of your application for this position, please be sure to upload the following documents with your application:

1. A cover letter which expresses your interest in and qualifications for the position
2. Your 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.

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.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America’s Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).