presents

Assistant Dean,
Marketing & Communications
Carlson School of Management

Ballinger | Leafblad is proud to present the following information on behalf

of our client, Carlson School of Management, in its search for
Assistant Dean, Marketing & Communications.

carlsonschool.umn.edu ballingerleafblad.com
 presenting our client
Carlson School of Management
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
Based in the Twin Cities of
Minneapolis and Saint Paul and
hosted in the University of
Minnesota, the Carlson School is a
leader in business education and
research. The school’s approach
connects students to unique
experiential learning
opportunities, dynamic
international education programs,
and a vibrant network of
businesses throughout the state
and beyond.

Since its founding in 1919 as the University of Minnesota School of Business, the school has
grown, changed names, and moved locations, all while maintaining its commitment to
excellence. In 1986, Curt Carlson, founder of Carlson Companies, made a $25 million gift to
the University of Minnesota, which at the time was the largest single gift ever given to a
public university. In his honor, the School of Management was renamed the Curtis L. Carlson
School of Management. The School is housed in two state of the art buildings on the West
Bank campus of the University, a stone’s throw from downtown.

The Carlson School offers 10 degree programs and a range of executive courses with over
5,000 current students and 50,000 graduates worldwide. The School leverages its strong
partnerships with over 40 international business schools to provide opportunities for
students and faculty and offers degree programs in Austria and China in addition to the US.

There are over 100 Carlson faculty members and they have extensive experience working
with executives and organizations across the globe. The Carlson School’s faculty are highly
ranked among U.S. business school faculty for their intellectual contributions.

The Carlson School draws as well from the strength of the University of Minnesota, a Big 10
R1 university, through collaborative research and dual degree programs across disciplines, as
well as the strength of the global business community in Minnesota, which includes 18
Fortune 500 firms and some of the largest private corporations in the world.

carlsonschool.umn.edu ballingerleafblad.com
 presenting our client
Carlson School of Management
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
In 2007, the Carlson School became one of the first business schools to require all students to
have an international experience. Between 35% and 40% of Carlson students spend a semester
abroad; the remaining participate in shorter programs or participate in faculty-led courses that
include an international residency.

Executive Education Program

Located in one of the most powerful business communities in the nation, Carlson School
of Management Executive Education partners with leaders, teams and organizations to
deliver world-class educational and experiential learning courses to transform outcomes
for senior managers, top leadership and their companies. The Carlson School offers both
high-quality open
enrollment courses,
available to individuals
and corporate
attendees, as well as
programs that are
customized to suit
corporate needs.

carlsonschool.umn.edu ballingerleafblad.com
 presenting our client

Carlson School of Management

OUR PURPOSE
To inspire and enable individuals and organizations to create a brighter future

OUR PROMISE
Create a transformative learning experience for every student

Develop influential knowledge that impacts the future of organizations

Grow entrepreneurial leaders with the imagination, integrity, and global

mindset required to tackle the grand challenges facing business and society

THE CARLSON ADVANTAGE

 World-class experiential learning via projects at major global firms
 Instruction from award-winning faculty thought-leaders and industry
executives
 Evidence-based tools and frameworks to critically think through
business challenges
 A global footprint and opportunities for networking with over 55,000
alumni in 195 countries

carlsonschool.umn.edu ballingerleafblad.com
 presenting the position of
Assistant Dean, Marketing & Communications
OVERVIEW OF POSITION
The Marketing and Communications unit is a school-wide administrative unit designed to
build and manage the brand, provide marketing services, integrated communications,
digital marketing, advertising, social media and media relations support to the School, and
to its wide variety of academic programs, initiatives and events, as well as to its faculty and
leadership. As a member of the senior leadership team of the school, the Assistant Dean of
Marketing and Communications is responsible for the strategic alignment and
management oversight of all marketing and communications activities of the school, in
order to effectively develop a brand strategy and marketing plans and communicate
strategic and operational decisions and program-related messages in a timely manner to a
variety of stakeholders, as well as to influence reputation, recognition, corporate and
alumni involvement, philanthropy, and overall goodwill among the Carlson School’s
constituents, community, and peers. The Assistant Dean of Marketing and
Communications leads and has managerial oversight and responsibility for all strategic,
administrative and operational activities of the unit, including setting priorities,
discretionary control of a budget, and staff supervision. The Assistant Dean will participate
in major decision-making which affects college-wide marketing and communications
activities, and will develop and implement short-term and long-range strategies for
achieving unit goals. The Assistant Dean is responsible for managing the unit in accordance
with relevant institutional policies. This position reports to the Dean of the school, Sri
Zaheer.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
25% Strategy Development and Planning
 Develop, in consultation with key stakeholders, and implement, a marketing strategy for
the Carlson School that is aligned with the purpose and goals of the Carlson School and
the mission of the University of Minnesota, and builds the brand and reputation of the
school, its programs and its faculty.
 Provide leadership and strategic direction for school-wide marketing and
communications that reach the school’s key internal and external stakeholders.
 Lead the integrated marketing and communications team in working with deans,
program offices, faculty, academic departments, and centers to define marketing and
communications objectives, develop strategies, and assist units execute their marketing
plans.
 Advise, consult and make recommendations to the Dean and the Carlson School
Executive Committee regarding all aspects of marketing, brand strategy and
communications.
 Set school-wide priorities, timelines, and budgets for marketing and communications.

carlsonschool.umn.edu ballingerleafblad.com
 presenting the position of
Assistant Dean, Marketing & Communications
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
50% Project, Message and Relationship Management
 Sustain positive working relationships with Carlson School faculty and staff, peers in
other University collegiate units, and University Relations.
 Represent the school to the larger University community and to the public.
 Develop, track, and evaluate appropriate metrics for continuous improvement with a
particular emphasis on metrics related to project completion, project effectiveness,
overall message effectiveness, and customer satisfaction.
 Enforce standard practices for quality, accuracy, responsiveness, and overall customer
service. Maintain positive relationships with key customers to ensure a high level of
customer satisfaction.
 Develop and maintain strong working relationships with vendors and evaluate their
ongoing performance. Ensure that all appropriate University policies are followed in
working with vendors.
 Manage information and messages in support of the school’s purpose and promises, to
speak with a coordinated voice.

25% Unit Management and Supervision

 Supervise the performance of direct reports, (currently the Chief Storyteller, Manager-
Internal Communications, Manager-Client Services and Manager-Digital
Communications) including hiring, performance appraisals, promotion, transfer, and
termination actions.
 Coordinate the efforts of staff, make assignments, prioritize projects, balance resources,
track progress, and maintain an overall plan for successful, efficient and effective
operation of the unit.
 Develop and remain accountable to an annual strategic budget.

** The employer reserves the right to change or assign other duties to this position **

carlsonschool.umn.edu ballingerleafblad.com
 presenting the position of

Assistant Dean, Marketing & Communications

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Required Qualifications
 A master’s degree is required.
 7-10 years of professional or administrative experience in a client-facing marketing or
communications unit.
 Proven record of fiscal accountability and budget oversight.
 Proven record of effective supervisory skills in creating and guiding successful work
teams and implementing a complex operational strategy.
 Demonstrated ability to successfully execute marketing and strategic communications
plans, initiatives, and systems.
 A collegial, consultative management style with the ability to be decisive.

Preferred Qualifications / Selection Criteria

 Advanced degree in a relevant field of study (marketing, communications, journalism,
public relations, public affairs).
 Experience in a higher education setting or in a comparable large, matrix organization.
 Holistic understanding of how to effectively market and communicate the academic
mission of a top-tier business school in a research university.
 Experience in developing a marketing strategy and building and supporting a brand
 Leadership capabilities
 Relationship building capabilities
 Innovation and creativity
 Ability to plan work, manage and prioritize a complex workload, and consistently meet
deadlines.
 Ability to collaborate in a team setting, with a variety of people and personalities.
 Attention to detail
 Results oriented and accountable for delivering expected outcomes.

carlsonschool.umn.edu ballingerleafblad.com
 presenting the position of

Assistant Dean, Marketing & Communications

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For additional information and to apply for the position, please contact:

Lars Leafblad, MBA Marcia Ballinger, PhD

Co-Founder/Principal Co-Founder/Principal
612-598-7547 651-341-4840
lars@ballingerleafblad.com marcia@ballingerleafblad.com

CIVIC SEARCH REIMAGINED

Carlson School of Management is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

carlsonschool.umn.edu ballingerleafblad.com
 presenting
Twin Cities ~ Minneapolis and Saint Paul
Incorporated as a city in 1867, Minneapolis is named for the Dakota word “Minne” (meaning
“of the waters”) and the Greek word “polis” (meaning “city”); fitting for a town that
contains 22 lakes. Today, Minneapolis and its twin city, St. Paul, have over 3 million residents.
Together they make up the 14th largest metropolitan area in the country.

The Twin Cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis are a unique blend
of small town and major cosmopolitan hub. Both urban cores
boast a thriving business atmosphere. Saint Paul, as the state
capital, is home to state government and has a more historical
vibe. Minneapolis is the larger and more commercial of the two
cities. Outside of the central downtowns, however, both cities
have many distinct neighborhoods, and residents identify more
with their individual neighborhood than with the larger city as a whole.

Both cities share a common root of being river towns - and

the great outdoors are still a major attraction for residents
and visitors alike. In addition to the mighty Mississippi River,
there are more than 100 lakes (more than 900 when including
the suburbs), more than 250 parks, and miles of biking and
walking trails.

Nearly every weekend in the summer there are several outdoor active events for
participants and spectators—triathlons, biking races, running races, boat races, water skiing
competitions, golf tournaments, and more. Neighborhood events and family events round
out a full schedule of opportunities.

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 presenting

Twin Cities ~ Minneapolis and Saint Paul

The active lifestyle of Twin Cities’ residents doesn't lie dormant during the winter either.
There are miles of cross-country skiing trails, several downhill ski areas within an hour’s
drive, ice skating, snowmobile riding, sledding, and—of course—ice fishing.

For those who prefer activity of the spectator variety, the Twin Cities is home to several
major sports teams: Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Wild, Minnesota
Timberwolves, Minnesota Lynx, Minnesota United FC (soccer), and Minnesota Swarm
(lacrosse), in addition to the Division 1 Gophers teams at the University of Minnesota.

There is also a minor league baseball team, the Saint Paul Saints. The areas have hosted the
World Series, Super Bowl, NCAA Basketball Finals, the USGA U. S. Open, PGA Championships
and the Special Olympics. In 2014, Target Field was the setting for baseball's All- star Game.
In 2018, the Super Bowl was played in a newly built state-of-the-art stadium.

But the Twin Cities have more to offer than participatory and spectator sporting events.
There are countless arts and culture offerings here. The Grammy Award-winning Minnesota
Orchestra has a reputation as one of the top orchestras in the world. The Saint Paul
Chamber Orchestra is regarded as one of the finest chamber orchestras in the world.

Since the early 1960s, the Guthrie Theatre has staged A-plus shows from the classical to the
contemporary. Popular national shows and performers also tour through the Twin Cities
year round at stages in both Minneapolis and Saint Paul, and at the University. There are
over 30 theatre venues, 10 dance companies, and 30 classical music groups in the cities of
Saint Paul and Minneapolis alone.

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 presenting

Twin Cities ~ Minneapolis and Saint Paul

For the museum-goer, there are more than 60 museums in the Twin Cities. The Science
Museum of Minnesota and the Minnesota Children's Museum (both in Saint Paul) are highly
interactive learning and fun experiences for the entire family. The Minnesota History Center
is an interactive museum for all ages with permanent and changing exhibits, lectures and
events.

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts has a collection of more than 100,000 pieces. The Walker
Art Center has been called “possibly the best contemporary art museum in the U. S.” by
Newsweek, and has over 11,000 pieces. The University of Minnesota's Weisman Art Museum
is also a contemporary art destination.

Beyond the outdoor, sports, entertainment, and culture, perhaps the biggest attraction for
the Twin Cities is the lifestyle. Forbes hailed Saint Paul and Minneapolis as the nation's
healthiest cities. USA Today named Saint Paul as North America's “Most Romantic City.” The
Twin Cities offer award-winning restaurants (several chefs have been regional James Beard
Award winners). In addition to the popular Mall of America, there are plenty of unique
shopping districts in both cities and in the suburbs.

www.minneapolis.org www.stpaul.gov

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