Associate Chancellor - Crookston
The Associate Chancellor has responsibility for the day-to-day management and leadership of the University of Minnesota Crookston campus as well as partnering with the Chancellor to identify and implement new strategies aligned with the campus and university strategic roadmap. This role is responsible for the day-to-day management of campus operations, including personnel and financial stewardship. The Associate Chancellor acts as the Chancellor’s primary deputy, ensuring academic and support services are aligned across the campus and system while fostering a modern, flexible leadership culture that responds to regional and statewide opportunities and needs for the future workforce.
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The University of Minnesota System is one of the most comprehensive in the nation, with offerings to meet the interests of every student and the changing needs of our society. We're proud of our land-grant mission of world-class education, groundbreaking research, and our commitment to partnering with communities in our drive to serve Minnesota.
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Responsibilities
Operations & Resource Stewardship
- Lead the day-to-day operations of the campus, including direct oversight of Human Resources, Finance, Physical Plant/Facilities, and Academic Affairs.
- Monitor and provide input into complex multi-fund budgets ($54M+), ensuring long-term financial sustainability and alignment with campus and university strategic priorities.
- Work collaboratively with University of Minnesota leadership to identify and implement organizational effectiveness and efficiency strategies.
- Manage key staff searches and oversee performance management systems for senior campus leadership in collaboration with the Chancellor.
- Executive Representation
- Serve as the interface between the Chancellor and the President’s Office, Board of Regents, Campus Advisory Committee(s), and Faculty, Staff, and Student Governance.
- Act as the primary representative for the Chancellor at civic, legislative, and community events, carrying full delegated authority in the absence of the Chancellor.
- Represent the University of Minnesota Crookston at the athletic conference executive committee.
System Alignment & Strategy
- In collaboration with academic leaders, design and execute frameworks to align academic programming and student support services with partner campuses to eliminate redundancies and enhance student outcomes.
- Lead the adoption of best practices, including technologies, across the campus and in collaboration with other campuses to ensure smooth and predictable experience for students, faculty, and staff.
- Advance the campus strategic plan in alignment with Elevate Extraordinary 2030 and develop strategies to measure success, align across the university, and evolve based upon needs and opportunities.
- Align enrollment and retention projections with investments and organizational change initiatives to achieve success, in partnership with staff leadership.
- Serve as a key resource and leader in aligning academic programs to workforce needs; promoting continuous quality improvement of academic offerings; and elevating in-demand majors and fields of study.
Strategic Facilitation & Project Management
- Chair and/or facilitate campus workgroups and steering committees to move Chancellor identified priority initiatives toward completion.
- Develop new and enhance/support existing partnerships across campuses to optimize academic programs, program delivery, and student support initiatives.
- Adaptive Leadership & Regional Innovation
- In collaboration with the Chancellor, model and propose innovative leadership structures that are moving away from rigid silos toward agile, responsive models that meet regional workforce demands.
- Engage with faculty, staff, students, and community members, providing support and taking action to have an engaged and forward-looking campus culture.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Terminal degree
- Experience as a senior leader in higher education, non-profit, government, or similar organization.
- Experience leading strategic plan implementation
- Demonstrated experience supervising senior leaders
- Demonstrated leadership, budget management and interpersonal skills.
- A leadership style that promotes collaboration and cooperation.
- Commitment to excellence, creativity and innovation.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Documented experience in developing, implementing and evaluating unit goals.
- Teaching and/or research credentials and accomplishments, or equivalent professional credentials and accomplishments.
- Experience working in a shared governance environment.
- Effective communication and presentation skills with experience engaging senior leaders, community decision-makers, and elected officials.
- Experience working with labor unions.
Salary, Benefits, and Other Details
Starting salary range: $235,000- $260,000
Benefits: As a Professional and Administrative (P&A) employee, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package with low-cost health coverage, professional development opportunities, and retirement plan with 10% employer contribution. (See our benefits page for more information.)
Applications and Nominations
Buffkin/Baker, an executive search firm, is assisting the University in the search. Inquiries of interest, nominations, and applications should be submitted electronically, in confidence, to:
Mr. Martin M. Baker, Managing Partner
Ms. Chelsie Whitelock, Associate Partner
[email protected]
Applications should include a current CV and a cover letter that addresses the responsibilities and qualifications for this appointment.
Priority deadline: September 11, 2026
An Equal Opportunity Employer
The University of Minnesota shall provide 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.