Director of Talent and Culture

mcknight.org ballingerleafblad.com
 Director of Talent and Culture

MISSION STATEMENT
The McKnight Foundation, a family foundation based in
Minnesota, advances a more just, creative, and abundant
future where people and planet thrive.

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
The McKnight Foundation envisions a world that recognizes the dignity of every
human being, a world where we celebrate the creativity of the arts and sciences and
come together to protect our one and only Earth. Earlier this month, the private family
foundation released its Strategic Framework 2019-2021 reflecting this mission and
vision.

McKnight has grantmaking programs in regional economic and community

development, Minnesota’s arts and artists, education equity and youth engagement,
Midwest climate and energy, Mississippi River water quality, neuroscience research,
international crop research, and rural livelihoods. Founded in 1953 and independently
endowed by William and Maude McKnight, the Foundation has assets of
approximately $2 billion and grants about $90 million a year.

The primary geographic focus is the state of Minnesota (approximately 60% of

grantmaking), with significant support directed to strategies throughout the United
States, Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America.

The staff at McKnight make meaningful contributions to solving some of the major
challenges of our time. They are guided by McKnight’s mission and its values of
Stewardship, Respect, Equity, and Curiosity. Strategies are developed and adjusted on
the bases of ongoing learning, reflection, and adaptive action, an approach that
prepares the Foundation to respond as changes occur in cultural, demographic,
economic, environmental, political, scientific, and technological landscapes.

The Foundation cares about what gets accomplished as well as the way the work gets
done. Staff are encouraged to bring deep content knowledge and the self-awareness,
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empathy, and intellectual curiosity to be collaborative learners and co-creators both
internally and externally. In addition, interpersonal savvy; and excellent problem-
solving and communication skills are required. We have high performance
expectations for our staff. The Foundation offers employees meaningful work,
inspiring and supportive colleagues, and the resources and tools to do their work well.

The McKnight Foundation enjoys an exemplary reputation. McKnight’s most recent

Grantee Perception Report from The Center for Effective Philanthropy places the
Foundation in the top 10% of funders for its impact on grantees’ fields and on public
policy, and in the top 20% of funders for its impact on grantees’ organizations.
McKnight also received a 2016 “Great Rated!” designation from the Great Place to
Work Institute.

The McKnight Foundation has an explicit commitment to diversity, equity, and

inclusion. This commitment is critical to deepening our relevance, credibility, and
effectiveness, and it helps us advance our mission of a more just, creative, and
abundant future. The civic and economic vitality of our home state of Minnesota
depends on inclusive and equitable opportunities for everyone. We see many ways
to realize this vision as a funder, convener, and thought leader, and as an employer,
economic entity, and institutional investor.

McKnight’s approach to philanthropy

The fourth page of the Strategic Framework details our philanthropic approach. At the
core of McKnight’s approach to philanthropy are quality relationships and a deep
understanding of place. How staff go about their work is regarded as just as important
as the grants they make. Each program pursues its own ambitious goals, drawing
upon abundant resources of creativity, research and data, existing and emergent
knowledge, and collaboration with diverse grantees, partners, and multiple program
stakeholders. The Foundation uses all the tools and resources at its disposal—
grantmaking as well as investments, convening, and credible influence—to support
systems change.

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THE POSITION…

Director of Talent and Culture—McKnight Foundation

McKnight is hiring a director of talent and culture, a new staff position focused on
talent management. The director of talent and culture reports to the vice president of
finance and operations and serves as a member of the operations leadership team.
The director will oversee all aspects of the talent management function for the
Foundation including recruiting and retaining a diverse and effective workforce,
designing and overseeing a total compensation program, and managing resources to
support talent development. This person will be one of the organizational leaders of
the Foundation’s work on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and help maintain a
culture of high trust and high expectations.

Staffing
Lead the staffing process for the Foundation to recruit, retain, and support a diverse,
effective, and engaged staff.
• Consult on organization structure and design and develop position descriptions.
• Recommend the recruitment strategy that best aligns with the needs of the
position-specific hiring process.
• For internally led processes, work with the communications team and hiring
manager to develop and execute strategies to source a diverse pool of highly
qualified candidates. For externally led processes, act as the primary point of
contact for the search firm.
• Work with the hiring manager to vet candidates and bring forward a diverse slate of
qualified candidates.
• Develop interview questions to explore candidates' technical, communication,
conflict resolution, and intercultural competency skills.
• Provide training for interview team members on effective, legal, and unbiased
interviewing techniques. Serve as a member of the interview team for assigned
positions.
• Conduct reference checks for recruitment processes when they are led internally.
• Work with the human resources team and hiring manager to provide a robust and
effective on-boarding process for new hires.
• Serve as a resource for staff, including managers, in addressing human resources
issues including performance and conflicts.

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Talent Development Strategies
Align policies, practices, and processes to support a culture of high trust and high
expectations; and design, implement, and lead talent development strategies for the
Foundation.
• Manage the professional development budget and approve professional
development requests.
• Consult with managers and employees on annual professional development plans
to develop position-specific knowledge, skills, abilities, and growth-edge
strategies.
• In consultation with the senior leadership team and the diversity, equity, and
inclusion advisory committee, plan and provide Foundation-wide talent
development opportunities to support the Foundation’s mission and values.
• Work with the vice president of finance and operations and other leaders to align
current and emerging policies, practices, and processes with the Foundation’s
mission, values, Strategic Framework, and DEI Statement.
• Ensure that all Foundation human resources policies, practices, and processes
comply with local, state, and national laws.
• In partnership with the meeting and events coordinator, plan the biweekly staff
meetings.
• Serve as sponsor and member of the Great Place to Work committee.

Compensation Strategy
Design and oversee the Foundation’s total compensation strategy.
• Coordinate with the compensation and benefits manager to complete annual
salary and benefits surveys.
• Work with the total compensation consultant and compensation and benefits
manager to review compensation benchmarks and make recommendations for
annual budget.
• Stay informed on changes to local, state, and national laws related to compensation
and benefits and ensure the Foundation complies with all applicable laws.
• Communicate the total compensation strategy to staff.
• Work with the compensation and benefits manager to ensure that the
compensation and benefits are administered in a timely and effective manner.

Human Resources Management

Manage the human resources team.
• Supervise, coach, and mentor the compensation and benefits manager and
administrative assistant. Provide timely feedback and guidance.

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• Develop and manage the annual human resources budget including all
compensation and benefits line items.

Foundation Activities
Participate in Foundation-wide meetings, events, and annual Foundation-wide goal.
• Attend and actively participate in staff meetings, retreats, Manager’s Roundtable
meetings, and DEI sessions.
• Participate in cross-functional work groups and action learning teams as
appropriate.
• Identify and work toward annual Foundation-wide goal.

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DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 10 years’ related full-time professional work
experience in a managerial position in a mission driven organization, or a combination
of equivalent experience and training.

SPHR certification desired.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to develop, implement, and support talent management throughout the
Foundation.
• Ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships and to represent the
McKnight Foundation and its mission, values, and culture to internal and external
stakeholders.
• Ability to work with a high degree of cultural competency with a diverse and
inclusive environment.
• Ability to quickly develop an understanding of McKnight Foundation’s programs,
mission, values, strategic framework, structure, and culture.
• Ability to develop policies and procedures that align with a high trust/high
expectations culture and lead staff in their implementation.
• Ability to engage others and influence outcomes.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations related to human
resources.
• Ability to effectively supervise and manage as well as coach other managers in
supervisory skills.
• Ability to work with high level of proficiency in Microsoft Office software including
Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Skill in bringing a group with diverse views to consensus.
• Skill in developing and managing budgets including compensation and benefits.
• Ability to handle heavy workload and meet deadlines.

Foundation-Wide Competencies
Collaborates Shows Resilience
Communicates Effectively Drives Results
Manages Complexity Applies Strategic Mindset
Builds Networks Instills Trust

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Position-Specific Competencies
Attracts Top Talent
Develops Talent

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

▪ Regular operation of normal office machines (computer, copier, and fax) is
required.
▪ Occasional evenings and weekends are required.
▪ Limited travel may be required.

Left to right, starting at the top: Arts program officers at an event; president Kate Wolford speaking at the
podium; and staff celebrating “Bike to Work Day”

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COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The McKnight Foundation provides a competitive compensation package. Benefits
include health, dental, life, and disability insurance; generous paid time off;
contribution to retirement plan; and a flexible work environment. The salary range for
this position is $155,000-160,000.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The McKnight Foundation has engaged Ballinger Leafblad to manage the search
process. All inquiries and applications should be directed to lars@ballingerleafblad.com

Priority consideration will be given to candidates who have submitted materials by

Friday, March 22, 2019.

The above statements are not intended to encompass all functions and qualifications of the
position; rather, they are intended to provide a general framework of the requirements of
the position. Job incumbents may be required to perform other functions not specifically
addressed in this description.

The McKnight Foundation is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

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PRESENTING THE TWIN CITIES OF MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL
When the Twin Cities hosted the Super
Bowl in 2018, it cast an international light
on what the organizing committee
dubbed “The Bold North.” It also gave the
world an up-close and personal view of
what those of us who live here already
knew. Minnesota Nice is for real.
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
capitol, 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 communities
than with the larger city as a whole. And
the best news is housing in most of our
friendly neighborhoods is affordable and
welcoming.
The Twin Cities lives up to its Bold North
tagline in every way. Residents enjoy four
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very distinct seasons, none of which will
let you down.
According to the website WalletHub,
Minneapolis ranks 12th in America for cities
with the most green space. Both cities share a
common root of being river towns, and the
great outdoors is a major attraction for
residents and visitors alike. In addition to the
mighty Mississippi River, there are more than
900 lakes in the metro area and surrounding
suburbs, upwards of 300 parks, and miles of
biking and walking trails.
Nearly every weekend in the summer there are
several outdoor events for participants and
spectators—triathlons, biking races, running
races, boat races, water skiing competitions,
cultural celebrations, golf tournaments, and
more.
The summer highlight for many Minnesotans
is the Minnesota State Fair. One of the largest
of its kind in the country, ours is a world-class
showcase of Minnesota’s best in agriculture,
industry, arts and entertainment.
Held on a 320-acre parcel located between
St. Paul and Minneapolis, it is a self-
supported organization and has been held
on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds every
year since 1885.
As summer turns to fall, the region puts
on a breathtaking autumn show that
draws visitors from miles around. While
fall is a fleeting spectacle, the active
lifestyle of Minnesotans doesn't go
dormant during the winter either.
Being hardy in every way, we take
advantage the miles of cross-country
skiing trails, downhill ski areas, ice skating,
snowmobiling, sledding, and ice fishing.
In recent years Minneapolis and St. Paul
have become two of the most diverse
cities in America. Almost six percent of
the population identifies as LGBTQ, with
many Twin Cities’ organizations in arts,
politics, culture, advocacy and religious
sectors serving the community.
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Minnesota’s Somali community is one of
the largest in the United States. St. Paul is
the heart of Minnesota’s Hmong
community as well, and is home to the
largest urban concentration of Hmong
residents in the country. It is by design
that we’ve embraced such ethnic
uniqueness. Our multi-cultural
communities present us with diversity in
the workplace, a strong workforce and an
added bonus of getting to know the
world, and coming to understand
different cultures on a more intimate
scale right here at home.
One of the best places to get a taste of
our many blended cultures is Midtown
Global Market on Lake Street in
Minneapolis. Midtown Global Market is a
welcoming indoor market and meeting
place featuring an abundance of ethnic
dishes, gifts and groceries, from Mexican
and Middle Eastern to Vietnamese,
Indian, Swedish and Italian.
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Many Hmong and Vietnamese restaurants
and shops are located in the Frogtown
neighborhood as well, on and around
University and Lexington avenues.
Hmongtown Marketplace on Como
Avenue and Hmong Village on Johnson
Parkway on St. Paul’s East Side feature a
wide variety of traditional foods, clothing,
fabrics and crafts, as well as farmers
markets.
There are countless arts and culture
offerings in the Twin Cities. The Grammy
Award-winning Minnesota Orchestra has a
reputation as one of the top orchestras in
the world. The Saint Paul Chamber
Orchestra is also regarded as one of the
finest chamber orchestras in the world.
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Since the early 1960s, the Guthrie Theater
has staged outstanding shows from the
classical to the modern. 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 of Minnesota.
If you are a theatre-goer in the Twin Cities
you’ll never have a dull moment.
According to the Western States Arts
Federation, Minneapolis ranks as the fifth-
most “creatively vital” city in the country,
right after D.C., LA, NYC and Boston.
We boast more than 40 venues with a variety
that even the most seasoned thespian would
notice.
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There are the magnificent musicals that
play on the State, Orpheum, and Pantages
stages and lots of local talent making a
statement on stages such as the Southern
Theater, New Century, and Illusion. Cats,
The Lion King, and Chorus Line are a few
examples of productions that have played
here. Theater is also a large component of
life in Saint Paul. The gorgeous 1000-seat
Fitzgerald Theatre acts as MPR’s largest
broadcast studio. Staged productions
commission authors, artists and radio
hosts to create programming for the
public radio community. The Fitzgerald
Theater is St. Paul’s oldest theater and
celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2010.
The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
has been recognized as one of America’s
leading not-for-profit
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performing arts centers, and is home to a
wide variety of performances throughout
the year providing the finest in musical
theater, music, dance, and vocal artists in
its Music Theater and Concert Hall. In
addition, each year the Ordway presents
its Flint Hills Family Festival, serving more
than 50,000 children and adults through
its Ordway Education programs.
And while we’re on the subject of
philanthropy, the Twin Cities is proud to
call itself home to hundreds of nonprofits
doing good work for the residents of our
community, giving us an even richer
connection to each other.
For the museum-goer, there are more
than 60 museums in the metro area. The
Science Museum of Minnesota and the
Minnesota Children's Museum (both in
Saint Paul) are highly interactive learning
facilities 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.

The Somali Museum of Minnesota on East hosts early season college baseball games
Lake Street features hundreds of of the University of Minnesota Golden
traditional Somali artworks and artifacts Gophers.
as well as educational programs.
Beyond sports, the great outdoors,
For those who prefer activity of the entertainment, and culture, perhaps the
spectator variety, the Twin Cities is home biggest attraction for the Twin Cities is the
to the Minnesota Twins, Minnesota lifestyle. Forbes hailed Saint Paul and
Vikings, Minnesota Wild and the Minneapolis as one of the nation's
Minnesota Timberwolves. We are also the healthiest metros and USA Today named
home city to the four-time WNBA Saint Paul as North America's “Most
Champion Minnesota Lynx and the Romantic City.”
Minnesota United soccer team. Our
sporting events are hosted in some of the
best sporting facilities in the county,
including the Twins Stadium and USBank
Stadium, a brand new, enclosed stadium
where the Minnesota Vikings host their
NFL games. Additionally, the stadium also

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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.
residents pride themselves on their warm
and welcoming ways. There is a reason
Business Insider ranked Minneapolis/St.
Paul number nine on its Top 50 Places to
Live in America. We really are all that and
more!

Minneapolis/St. Paul is also proud to have

a world-class international airport. In fact,
the Airports Council International named
MSP the 2017 Best Airport in North America
in its size category, with more than 25
million passengers a year.

The Twin Cities is a vibrant, richly diverse

Midwestern community where Minnesota
Nice is alive and well. We are the perfect
blend of small town/big city and our

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