Managing Director, MBOLD

Salary Range

190,000 – $210,000

Greater MSP Partnership

Greater MSP is a cross‑sector partnership of more than 300 leading businesses, cities, universities, counties, foundations, and community organizations. The mission is to grow the economy of the 15‑county Minneapolis‑Saint Paul region and create economic opportunity for all residents. We execute a comprehensive regional economic development strategy focused on growing jobs, talent, and capital across areas such as medical technology innovation, semiconductors, sustainable aviation fuels, and more.

MBOLD

MBOLD is a CEO‑driven coalition of the Greater MSP Partnership comprised of leading Minnesota‑based food and agriculture companies and innovators. We accelerate bold, innovative solutions to growing global food demand amid natural resource limitations and an increasingly volatile climate. MBOLD leaders commit to pre‑competitive collaboration to drive progress at scale.

Position Objective

The MBOLD Managing Director plays a central executive leadership role in driving action across the diverse MBOLD coalition of leaders. This executive designs and accelerates pre‑competitive collaboration with CEOs, executive‑level leaders, and subject matter experts from many companies and organizations. The Managing Director scales existing efforts while identifying and tackling emergent needs and opportunities, and works alongside the senior leadership team at Greater MSP to advance allied efforts in business investment, research & intelligence, communications, and bioeconomy.

Primary Responsibilities

Align and lead a growing alliance of partners working together to build and execute strategies that produce global impact, including:

• MBOLD coalition Executive Council and Steering Team, comprised of CEOs and senior food and agriculture executives
• MBOLD project teams comprised of subject matter experts across the food and agriculture industry and allied organizations
• Local, national, and international partners such as companies, government agencies, farm organizations, and research institutions
• Managing MBOLD staff and contractors, including MBOLD’s Director of Agricultural Resiliency and Project Manager

Execute and scale a growing portfolio of groundbreaking, pre‑competitive initiatives among MBOLD members and partners, such as:

• MBOLD Protein Catalyst, driving innovation and sustainability with traditional and plant‑based proteins
• Advancing Agricultural Resilience, including soil health, water stewardship, and market building efforts to foster diversified agricultural systems
• Plastic packaging initiatives to advance circularity

Work as part of an integrated leadership team across the Greater MSP Partnership to:

• Learn from and inform parallel system‑building efforts to grow the state’s economy by tackling global challenges
• Leverage Greater MSP capabilities in research, communications, operations, strategy, and business investment
• Establish and deepen relationships with key partners around the world

Ensure Minnesota becomes known as a place that is accelerating critical solutions for the future of food and agriculture, including:

• Identifying strategic opportunities for MBOLD leaders to share stories
• Working with national and global partners on convenings and events
• Leveraging Greater MSP Marketing and Communications team on PR and marketing strategies to communicate wins
• Identifying opportunities to build relationships with media and seize earned media spots

Evolving MBOLD operating model to continue growing impact, including:

• Working with MBOLD Chair and Executive Council to grow the coalition and establish vision for future efforts
• Partnering with national and global philanthropic leaders, businesses, government agencies, and others to scale key initiatives
• Identifying opportunities to fully activate and leverage expertise and capabilities of MBOLD members and partners

Qualifications

Experience

• 10+ years of relevant professional experience in business, government, or non‑profit sector
• Expertise in U.S. food and agriculture systems
• 5+ years of senior executive leadership experience, including leading in coalitions and working with diverse teams
• Demonstrated strength in taking on complex challenges and building solutions with participation by many team members and partners
• Ability to engage multiple stakeholders across diverse experiences and backgrounds
• Highly skilled at executive‑level communication; able to serve as a credible spokesperson and communicator
• Comfortable working with a high degree of ambiguity
• Creativity and passion for solving tough challenges in food and agriculture ecosystems
• Relevant regional and national relationships and fundraising experience is a plus

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree strongly preferred

Required Skills

• Track record of building coalitions and/or successfully leading complex multi‑stakeholder projects and teams
• Ability to develop strategy and turn it into action that delivers results
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with multiple audiences, including executives
• Proven ability to form relationships and credibility with a diverse set of people consistently
• The ability to work in a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial, deadline‑driven environment while managing multiple issues and projects simultaneously
• Strong critical‑thinking skills with flexibility to respond to shifting priorities and new opportunities
• Ability to be proactive and take initiative
• Demonstrated success working in teams
• Hardworking and humble approach to work
• Consistently provides quality results
• Responsible work ethic
• Demonstrated cross‑cultural competency
• Highly motivated by challenges
• Values and vision driven
• Well organized work habits
• Reliable, with a ready‑to‑help disposition
• Positive approach to problem solving

Work Environment

To perform work successfully, the employee must demonstrate the skills, competencies, and capabilities required to carry out each responsibility effectively. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

Work Arrangements

• Hybrid (3 days in office; 2 days work from home)
• This job description is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities associated with the position. Additional duties may be assigned to support organizational goals.

Physical Demands

• Lift/move up to 30 lbs occasionally
• Prolonged sitting at a computer
• Occasional walking, standing, climbing stairs, and driving to meetings or events

Office Conditions

• Typical office space and moderate noise levels
• Temperature‑controlled and compliant with OSHA safety rules
• Emergency procedures and hazard reporting in place

Travel Requirements

• Reliable transportation needed for travel
• There may be some travel required to events/conferences as needed

Health & Safety

• Safety protocols align with CDC and state guidelines
• Wellness‑focused perks such as flexible breaks, mental health days, PTO are encouraged
• Employees are expected to report hazards and participate in safety drills

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