Senior Advisor of Business Development and Strategy

The Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI) seeks a Senior Advisor of Business Development and Strategy to provide high-impact, short-term strategic support to the Director during a period of organizational transition. This role is designed as a casual, part-time (up to 14 hours/week) advisory engagement focused on advancing CAREI's business development, product strategy, and organizational alignment.

CAREI is a national leader in applied educational research, evaluation, and product development. As the organization continues to expand its reach and refine its service delivery model, this role will help accelerate key priorities by providing senior-level expertise, analytical capacity, and execution support.

The Senior Advisor will operate as a strategic thought partner and force multiplier to the Director-supporting complex decision-making, conducting targeted analyses, and advancing high-priority initiatives that strengthen CAREI's impact and sustainability.

This position reports directly to the CAREI Director and supports the University's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Given the limited weekly hours, work will be prioritized and concentrated on high-leverage activities, with effort varying across focus areas based on organizational priorities.

The University of Minnesota encourages a healthy work life balance for employees. CEHD is committed to an excellent employee experience, offering a flexible work environment that meets the needs of students, staff, faculty, and the communities we serve. Flexible work arrangements may include flexibility in schedule and/or work location. Please note that 100% remote work requires approval prior to offer.

Job Responsibilities

Strategic Advisory & Organizational Support (25%)

• Serve as a senior thought partner to the Director on complex organizational, operational, and growth-related challenges.
• Support prioritization and advancement of high-impact initiatives during a period of staffing transition.
• Assist in framing decisions, synthesizing information, and developing actionable recommendations.
• Contribute to organizational problem-solving related to structure, roles, and service delivery.
• Advise on solutions to address systemic barriers to expand CAREI's national reach and impact.
  

Business Development & Growth Strategy (25%)

• Support the development and refinement of CAREI's business development strategy, including product dissemination and service expansion.
• Identify opportunities to scale CAREI's impact through new delivery models, markets, and revenue streams.
• Contribute to strategic planning related to growth, sustainability, and external engagement.

Product Strategy & Portfolio Alignment (25%)

• Support development of a coherent view of CAREI's product and service portfolio.
• Assist in identifying priorities for product development, refinement, and alignment.
• Contribute to roadmap thinking for current and future offerings.
• Help ensure alignment between CAREI's research, evaluation, and product efforts.
• Provide support to assessment-related products and services.

Partnership Strategy (25%)

• Support identification and development of strategic partnerships.
• Contribute to partnership planning and opportunity assessment.
• Help align partnership efforts with CAREI's broader strategic direction.
  

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in an Education, Psychology, Leadership, Evaluation or related field, with 20+ years of experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading research and evaluation involving students, teachers, parents, and/or administration in higher education, state and local educational agencies.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with people from a variety of communities, backgrounds, and identities.
• Demonstrated written (e.g., reports, grant proposals, funding applications) and oral (e.g., presentations, meetings) communication skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Expertise in assessment and data-based decision-making within an MTSS framework.
• Proven ability to create and execute long-term strategic plans and business development initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience and commitment to anti-racism/oppression, culturally responsive approaches and practices, and integration of an equity lens across the evaluation life cycle.
• Excels in a flexible, project-based work environment.
• Ability to make informed decisions to drive processes forward, maintain project momentum, and effectively achieve project goals.

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the University's third largest college, contributes to a just and sustainable future through engagement with the local and global communities to enhance human learning and development at all stages of life. We know diversity is necessary to do our best work and foster our humanity. That's why the CEHD community is collectively dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and equitable environment, embracing and celebrating all identities of our students, staff, and faculty. These values are also a moral imperative requiring continuous proactive measures and a firm stance against prejudice, discrimination, and systemic injustice.

Pay Range: $125.00 - $175.00 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

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.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu 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 the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).