Required Qualifications
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Bachelor’s degree and at least 6 years of professional experience with a proven track record in executive relationship management, board governance, external affairs, or high-level corporate relations.
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Demonstrated experience directly managing or staffing an advisory board, board of directors, or C-suite level stakeholders.
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Exceptional emotional intelligence, executive presence, and written/verbal communication skills.
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Impeccable project management skills and an eagle-eye attention to detail.
Preferred Qualifications
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Advanced degree in business, public administration, higher education leadership, or a related field.
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Previous experience navigating complex, matrixed environments (e.g., higher education, academic medicine, or large public institutions).
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Deep familiarity with the business community landscape, specifically within a business school environment or the University of Minnesota system
Position Overview
As the Manager of Board Relations, you will drive a dual-impact strategy: directly managing the Minnesota Carlson Board of Advisors—our premier, C-suite leadership board—while helping to coordinate and strengthen a network of 24 specialized advisory boards across the institution as strategic relationship platforms. We seek a sophisticated, highly collaborative bridge-builder who can seamlessly interface with corporate executives, institutional leaders, and internal stakeholders. The ideal candidate will ensure that the immense expertise, network, and strategic advocacy of our executive volunteers are effectively leveraged to champion the school’s strategic priorities. The Manager will be a member of the External Engagement organization and will serve as a key contributor to the Strategic Partnerships capability, focused on advisory boards as an important source of external expertise, advocacy, relationship intelligence, and school-wide opportunity.
Key Responsibilities
Board of Advisors Governance & Management (50%)
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Executive Governance: Oversee and execute all operations for the Carlson Board of Advisors (BOA), its Executive Committee, and its alignment with the Dean, adhering strictly to the board charter.
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Executive Communications: Serve as a primary institutional liaison to Board members, crafting high-level written correspondence, briefings, and strategic communications that reflect the professionalism of the Dean’s Office.
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Strategic Meeting Architecture: In partnership with the Dean and Executive Committee, design comprehensive agendas and produce executive-level meeting materials, presentations, and briefing packets.
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Event Oversight: Lead the conceptualization, planning, and delivery of bi-annual board meetings and high-profile dinners, collaborating closely with the school’s events team and the Office of the Dean.
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Board Lifecycle Management: Manage the end-to-end lifecycle of the Board, including supporting strategic recruitment, onboarding new executives, and maintaining appropriate engagement of "emeritus" members, in partnership with the Dean and Board leadership.
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Accountability & Impact Tracking: Synthesize board meeting discussions into formal records and actionable next steps. Partner with internal colleagues to track executive commitments, ensuring the school seamlessly capitalizes on board members' offers of operational support, mentorship, and corporate insight.
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Development Coordination: Coordinate with the Assistant Dean, Dean, and relevant UMF development officers regarding board members’ current or planned philanthropy to ensure an aligned approach to members as engaged volunteers, strategic advisors, and donors.
Institutional Board Coordination (25%)
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Community of Practice: Establish and lead an ongoing professional development framework and community of practice for all board managers across Minnesota Carlson to ensure alignment and best practices.
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Centralized Knowledge Management: Build and maintain a centralized repository and communication network to allow all volunteer advisory boards visibility into school-wide priorities.
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Cross-Board Integration: Design and execute "All-Board" summits and events that facilitate cross-industry networking and collaborative problem-solving.
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Data Synthesis & Reporting: Collect, analyze, and synthesize engagement metrics from all advisory boards to demonstrate the collective impact and operational value of the school’s volunteer network.
Coordination with External Engagement Group: Align across the External Engagement organization, including Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, Operations, Strategic Partnerships, and UMF colleagues as appropriate, to ensure advisory board work is integrated with school-level engagement outcomes.
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External Engagement Projects & Strategic Support (25%)
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Strategic Initiatives: Support the design, planning, and execution of high-impact events and projects that advance the school’s overarching external engagement strategy.
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Stakeholder Stewardship: Liaise with corporate, civic, and academic partners to deliver an elite, high-touch experience for all external stakeholders interacting with Minnesota Carlson.
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Support Assistant Dean of External Engagement: Collaborate with and support the Assistant Dean on Strategic Partnerships projects related to advisory boards, executive volunteer engagement, relationship intelligence, and school-wide external engagement priorities.
*The employer reserves the right to change or assign other duties to this position*
This position is not eligible for H-1B or green card sponsorship.
This role is part of a new, integrated External Engagement group within Minnesota Carlson. That group brings together Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, Operations, and a dedicated Strategic Partnerships team, which is where this role sits. The group is led by an assistant dean, who will be hired in Fall 2026.
In its first phase, the Strategic Partnerships team will be anchored by two portfolios: Corporate and Organizational Partnerships (hire TBD) and Board Relations. The goal of the team is to create the connective capacity needed to make Carlson easier to navigate, deepen reciprocal partner value, strengthen relationship intelligence, and create distinctive student advantage. It is accountable for school-level relationship coherence, visibility, strategic development, and partner navigation.
About the Carlson School of Management
Located on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus, the Carlson School of Management exemplifies a commitment to excellence through a focus on experiential learning and international education, and by maintaining strong ties with the Minneapolis/Saint Paul business community. Through its undergraduate and graduate programs, Minnesota Carlson offers access to world-renowned faculty members and an alumni network of 62,000 people. Learn more at carlsonschool.umn.edu.
Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given 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: Resume and Cover Letter
To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail [email protected] or call (612) 624-8647.
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
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.
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 Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.
