Executive Position Description

President
Minnesota Humanities Center

www.minnesotahumanities.org

On behalf of our client, Minnesota Humanities Center, KeyStone Search is conducting a

retained search for a President.

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND

Founded in 1971, the Minnesota Humanities Center is a nonprofit organization affiliated

with the National Endowment for the Humanities. The humanities are branches of
knowledge concerned with human thought and culture—language, history, literature,
civics, philosophy, ethics, law, religion, anthropology, archaeology. Often referred to as
liberal arts, these branches combine to form a foundation for human interaction and
connection.

Through its emphasis on the humanities, the Minnesota Humanities Center works to
build a thoughtful, literate, and engaged society. A Minnesota-based national center and
clearing house for the best in the humanities, the Humanities Center:
• conducts professional development opportunities focused on K-12 educators;
• creates and disseminates one-of-a-kind educational resources;
• partners with other organizations to offer humanities programs statewide;
• operates a full-service meeting and event center.

The offices and many of the programs of the Humanities Center are housed in a full-
service meeting and event center on St. Paul's East Side, near Lake Phalen. The facility
is also used by a variety of clientele for meetings, retreats, small conferences, and
special events.

The Humanities Center is governed by a 27 – 32 member board of directors. Members

serve four-year terms, volunteer their time, and come from all areas of the state,
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June 2010
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reflecting the state's cultural and geographic diversity. Members meet quarterly and are
elected by the board of directors or appointed by the Governor of Minnesota.

The Minnesota Humanities Center operates on an annual budget of approximately $4

million and with over 20 employees. Funding for the Humanities Center’s programs and
professional development offerings is provided in part by the National Endowment for
the Humanities; the State of Minnesota; corporate and family foundations and earned
revenues. The Minnesota Humanities Center also relies on the generosity of individual
donors.

POSITION OVERVIEW

As the leader of a statewide program that also serves as a national center and
clearinghouse, Minnesota Humanities Center’s President has an incredible opportunity
to help build a literate and thoughtful society. Working with the Board of Directors, the
President provides vision and leadership for the Minnesota Humanities Center. The
President is charged with ensuring the Center’s vibrancy, growth, and innovative
achievement and financial health within a constantly changing environment.

The new President will build on the strong foundation established through recent
programs such as the Emmy Award winning documentary “Iron Range: Minnesota
Building America”; community dialogues that include addressing Minnesota’s and the
nation’s achievement gap; and new meaningful, outcomes-based partnerships with the
Chicano Latino Affairs Council, the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans, the Council
on Black Minnesotans, and the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council that support bringing
public humanities programs to the broader community.

The President is ultimately responsible for management of all employees of Minnesota

Humanities Center. The current direct reports to the position include the Vice President,
Director of Programs, Director of Finance & Administration and an Executive Assistant.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

The President of Minnesota Humanities Center is responsible for strategic leadership

with both internal and external stakeholders. Specific responsibilities include:

Administration and Program Development:

• Responsible for shaping an organization that attracts and retains a diverse and
highly engaged board of directors.
• Assures that the organization has short and long-range strategies that achieve its
mission with consistent and timely progress.
• Provides leadership in developing programs, organizational and financial plans
with the Board of Directors and staff, and carries out the plans and policies
authorized by the board.
• Promotes active and broad participation by staff in all areas of the agency’s work.
• Maintains a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in
providing services to youth. Keeps abreast of trends in humanities research and
scholarship.
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June 2010
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Fundraising and Revenue Development:

• Leads the creation and implementation of product development and marketing
strategies that will generate unrestricted revenue streams to reinvest in ongoing
programs and reduce the dependence on government grants.
• Drives fundraising strategies and campaigns that will lead to the future growth of
the organization.

Management:
• Models leadership behaviors that lead to a productive, professionally competent
workforce in an environment respectful of personal well being and cultural
diversity.
• Encourages staff development and education, and assists program staff in
relating their specialized work to the total program of the agency.
• Maintains a climate that attracts, keeps, and motivates a diverse staff of top
quality people that also provides opportunities for advancement.

Budget and Finance:

• Ensures the fiscal vitality of the Agency through monitoring of budgets, grants,
and capital assets.
• Works with the staff, Finance Committee, and the board in preparing the annual
budget.
• Ensures that adequate funds are available to permit the organization to carry out
its work.

Outreach and External Relations:

• Acts as the voice and face of the Minnesota Humanities Center. He/she must be
able to present an eloquent, clear, and compelling interpretation of the Center’s
mission and goals within the state and at the national level.
• Responsible for maintaining constructive relationships with the Minnesota State
Legislature, the Governor’s office, the National Endowment for the Humanities,
and private sector funders.
• Keeps the Board of Directors fully informed on the condition of the Center and all
important factors influencing it.
• Attracts interest and raises visibility by marketing the activities of the Center, its
programs and goals.

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate for this position is an experienced and visionary professional with a
clear understanding of, and passion for, the importance of the humanities in education
and public life. The successful candidate will be a person of integrity and stature in their
community with proven leadership experience, exemplary business and/or nonprofit
management skills, and a strong commitment to raising the visibility and impact of
Minnesota Humanities Center. Fundraising, community relations and partnerships, and
board development are all key components of this challenging role.
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June 2010
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A doctorate in a humanities discipline is strongly preferred. Some combination of a

master’s degree and substantial experience may substitute for the doctorate degree.
Seven to ten years of progressively responsible experience in the delivery, supervision
and administration of humanities education programs is desired. Significant experience
in broad external relations is required. Other essential skills and experience include:

• A proven track record of success in a professional environment - leading,

building and growing an organization through a collaborative leadership style.
• Big picture thinker with the ability to think strategically about achieving Minnesota
Humanities Center’s goals.
• The willingness, presence and capacity to be Minnesota Humanities Center’s
face to the public, which includes being an effective communicator, a persuasive
influencer, and a good listener.
• Demonstrated financial management and budgeting abilities – preferably in a
nonprofit arena.
• Outstanding leadership, planning, organizational, and management skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain excellent, productive relationships with the Board
of Directors, Center staff, community-based partners, the Minnesota State
Legislature, members of Congress, private sector funders, and early childhood,
K-12 and post-secondary education leaders.
• Ability to build relationships and work effectively with people from diverse
cultures and backgrounds.

COMPENSATION

The salary for this position is commensurate with experience and competitive with
similar nonprofits. A full benefits package is offered including Paid Time Off (PTO), a
retirement plan and the following insurance programs: medical, dental, life, accidental
death/dismemberment, short and long term disability.

CONTACT

Rebecca Yanisch, Principal or Marcia Ballinger, Principal

Phone: 612-375-8841 Phone : 612-375-8895
Email: rebeccay@keystonesearch.com Email : marciab@keystonesearch.com

“Because Culture Matters”