[Originally posted 3/15/23]

The Public Policy and International Affairs Fellowship Program (PPIA) envisions a thriving and equitable world uplifted by visionary, inclusive, and compassionate leaders. PPIA is a national nonprofit that cultivates the next generations of diverse public service and international affairs professionals by investing in their education, essential skills, and networks to effect domestic and global change. PPIA’s flagship program is the Junior Summer Institute (JSI), a rigorous, academic, fully-funded fellowship program for undergraduate college students from underrepresented backgrounds. This position is administered through the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities campus.

The salary starts at $75,000 (not to exceed $100k, including a year-end bonus).

Position Description
The Executive Director reports directly to the PPIA Board of Directors and Humphrey School leadership. The position also works with JSI host Directors, Directors of Admissions, Policy School leaders, and funders.

The Executive Director leads PPIA’s strategic direction under the direction of the board of directors and works in partnership with all affiliated PPIA organizations, alumni, and stakeholders. The position requires the ability to travel.

The Executive Director is responsible for leading the development and implementation of PPIA’s data strategy (e.g., access, collection, governance, management, reporting, evaluation, etc.), which underlies all aspects of the position below:

External Relations and Communications - 25%

• Serve as the point of contact to cultivate, manage, and strengthen relationships with over 60 graduate schools throughout the PPIA Graduate School Consortium and attract new members.
• Advise the Alumni Advisory Committee to develop recommendations for the PPIA national office and board of directors that advance the organization’s mission and professional development of PPIA alumni. Cultivate and support alumni chapters nationally.
• Supervise the Communications and Outreach Manager’s projects to ensure alignment with PPIA’s strategic goals. Oversee integration of communications and data systems that monitor and track engagement across all PPIA components, such as the Graduate School Consortium, alumni engagement, Junior Summer Institute application, and Public Service Weekends.

Board and Organizational Management - 25%

• Lead the forthcoming strategic planning process with the board of directors, including selecting a consultant to facilitate the process. Collaborate with the PPIA Board of Directors to develop and implement the core activities of the PPIA National office, including developing new ideas, partnerships, and opportunities to strengthen PPIA’s mission.
• Work with an external accountant to ensure the budget, income, and expenses align with the organization's financial goals and submit an annual 990 tax form.
• Manage and update online organizational platforms such as Guidestar, donor portal, employee matching programs, and alumni customer relationship management (CRM) system.
• Manage and supervise PPIA staff, including Communications & Outreach Manager, graduate assistants, interns, and contracted hires.

Program Management and Event Planning - 25%

• Manage an annual graduate school admissions fair and employment exposition in Washington, D.C., with over 60 exhibitors and 500 attendees.
• Manage Public Service Weekend conferences from request for proposals through selection and execution of the events.
• Ensure the success of PPIA’s flagship JSI program by managing and implementing key functions and support for the JSI and Consortium Member Schools nationally.
• Coordinate and implement marketing and outreach strategies that grow the JSI applicant pool, such as building relationships with key organizations and stakeholders, creating and implementing a marketing campaign, and evaluating the effectiveness of these strategies for continual improvement.
• Work closely with the PPIA Board of Directors on the planning and implementing of all programs and events throughout the year.

Fundraising and Development - 25%

• Work with the PPIA Board of Directors to develop and execute a fundraising plan that increases financial support for the organization's mission, priorities, and programs.
• Manage existing sponsor and funder relationships and annual giving campaigns.
• Identify new funding streams and cultivate relationships with individual donors.

Required Qualifications:

• BA or BS with at least six years of relevant/related experience.
• Strong writing and proofreading skills.
• Strong project management, organization, and multi-tasking skills.
• Experience initiating and setting goals for an organization.
• Solid analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience working effectively with individuals from diverse and marginalized communities, including specific experience with people of color, including underrepresented groups and new immigrant populations; American Indians; people with apparent and non-apparent disabilities; women; people of various gender and sexual identities and expressions.
• Ability to work independently, with strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Experience in program evaluation and managing budgets.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree with at least three years of relevant/related experience.
• Proven experience in nonprofit management.
• Experience cultivating donor relationships, fundraising, and grant writing.
• Board Governance and alumni engagement experience.
• Program management, leadership, and facilitation.
• Experience developing, implementing, evaluating, and leading diversity programs.

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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