Interim IEM Executive Director

Position Summary:

The Institute for Engineering in Medicine (IEM) seeks an experienced executive leader to serve as Interim Executive Director, providing strategic leadership and external engagement to advance the institute's mission, strengthen organizational effectiveness, and accelerate implementation of its growth strategy. Working closely with IEM leadership, faculty, the Medical School, the College of Science and Engineering, and external partners, this individual will help position IEM as the leading convener of Minnesota's MedTech ecosystem.

The Interim Executive Director will provide executive leadership during a period of strategic growth, advancing IEM's research, workforce development, and partnership priorities while building organizational capacity for long-term success.

Duties/Responsibilities:

50%: Strategic Leadership & Organizational Development

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction to advance IEM's mission, vision, and long-term priorities.
• Advise and collaborate with IEM leadership on organizational positioning, strategic initiatives, and growth opportunities.
• Strengthen and articulate IEM's value proposition across its research centers, programs, and external partnerships.
• Lead efforts to enhance governance structures, partnership strategies, and stakeholder engagement models.
• Strengthen the effectiveness of advisory councils and boards, including industry engagement, governance practices, and recruitment of external leaders.
• Facilitate strategic planning and organizational alignment across institutional leadership and key stakeholders.

50%: External Partnerships & Ecosystem Development

• Expand and strengthen strategic partnerships across industry, healthcare systems, academia, government, and economic development organizations.
• Represent IEM with external stakeholders and serve as a senior ambassador for the institute within Minnesota's MedTech ecosystem.
• Provide executive leadership on industry engagement, membership strategies, and collaborative partnership models.
• Identify opportunities to expand collaborative research, innovation initiatives, and translational partnerships.
• Advance workforce development initiatives, including the Clinical Immersion Program and industry-focused educational offerings.
• Strengthen engagement with faculty, clinicians, researchers, students, and industry partners to increase participation and long-term value creation.
• Establish measures to evaluate stakeholder engagement, program effectiveness, and ecosystem impact.

Key Outcomes:

The Interim Executive Director will lead the development of:

• A 3-5 year strategic positioning and growth roadmap for IEM.
• Recommendations to strengthen governance, advisory board engagement, and organizational effectiveness.
• A MedTech ecosystem partnership and industry engagement strategy.
• A stakeholder value proposition and membership framework.
• Strategic recommendations for workforce development, Clinical Immersion, and industry-aligned educational programs.
• Metrics and evaluation approaches to assess organizational impact and long-term success.

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree plus at least 10 years of experience.
• Executive leadership experience within the MedTech, healthcare, life sciences, higher education, or innovation ecosystem.
• Experience leading organizational strategy, governance, or innovation initiatives.
• Proven ability to build consensus, influence senior leaders, and lead cross-sector collaborations.
• Excellent relationship-building, facilitation, and executive communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) with 10 years of executive leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success developing strategic partnerships across academia, industry, healthcare, and economic development organizations.Strong understanding of research, workforce development, talent pipelines, and industry engagement.
• Experience working with research institutions or higher education organizations is preferred.

Committed to innovation and diversity, the Medical School educates physicians, scientists, and health professionals; generates knowledge and treatments; and cares for patients and communities with compassion and respect. We value excellence, inclusiveness, collaboration, and discovery.

The mission of the regional campus located in Duluth is to be a national leader in improving healthcare access and outcomes in rural Minnesota and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. In partnership with CentraCare, the regional campus in St. Cloud offers a wide range of patient experiences throughout students' education in Greater Minnesota and prepares them to become exceptional clinicians and leaders for rural and immigrant populations.

Founded in 1888, the University of Minnesota Medical School has three campuses. A four-year MD program and the MD/PhD program are located on the Twin Cities campus in addition to MD programs at regional campuses in Duluth and St. Cloud.

Pay Range: $100-250 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Work Location: Hybrid

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 Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.