About Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota (GESMN)
GESMN envisions a world where everyone experiences the power of work.
Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota (GESMN) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating barriers to work and independence. With a history of service dating back to 1919, GESMN provides comprehensive education, job training, and placement services to help individuals in the community unlock their full potential.
For over a century, GESMN has demonstrated its strong capacity to respond to, anticipate, and create services and programs that reflect the evolving dynamics of society, jobs, and the workforce. As part of Goodwill Industries International and an affiliate of Easterseals, GESMN combines deep mission expertise with entrepreneurial capability to help Minnesotans prepare for work, secure competitive employment, and build long-term career pathways. This combination allows service to people with a wider range of needs under one organization.
GESMN has long supported diverse participants facing barriers such as disability, limited education, justice involvement, and economic hardship, providing integrated support services to nearly 6,000 people each year.
Furthermore, GESMN recently launched its Goodwill Clean Tech Accelerator, graduating its first class of 14 students from a four-week solar installation training program. The program provides technical training in solar energy, safety, installation, customer service, and certifications including OSHA-10 and CPR/First Aid, along with job placement support and career coaching. The Accelerator will expand to include training in heat pump installation and electric vehicle support equipment repair, launching in 2027 and 2028, respectively.
Looking Ahead: Continuing the Impact, Expanding the Vision
As GESMN enters its next century, the incoming Chief Services and Programs Officer (CSPO) will be instrumental in strategically modernizing and expanding services and programs in partnership with staff, partners, and the communities served, while responding to shifting market conditions and evolving employer needs.
This leader must be inherently strategic and motivated to eliminate barriers to work and independence, so the people GESMN serves can thrive. Succeeding a leader who served more than 35 years at GESMN, the next CSPO must boldly reimagine how people, services, program structures, and strategy align to achieve optimal impact.
The next CSPO will serve as a regional architect of workforce transformation, playing a key role in GESMN’s next phase of growth by strengthening alignment with employers and communities, advancing organizational strategy for AI-resilient career pathways, and positioning GESMN as a regional leader in systems change.
In addition, GESMN’s three-year strategic priorities—Advancing Services and Programs, Investing in People, and Building Financial Health—will guide the work ahead. The CSPO will join a highly passionate and skilled team to advance these priorities in the years to come.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The next Chief Services & Programs Officer (CSPO) will be a transformational change leader, positioning Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota for future growth while building on a strong legacy. The CSPO will be charged with leaning in differently and thinking strategically in a way that drives new capabilities and advancement for GESMN services and programs.
Reporting to the President and CEO, the CSPO is a key member of the executive leadership team, and will be responsible for the vision, strategy, and operational excellence of all Services & Programs and Public Affairs activities. This role translates labor-market change—especially automation and AI—into practical, scalable, participant centered programs that expand access to employment, career advancement, and independence for people facing barriers to work.
The CSPO will lead an innovation agenda, deep employer partnerships, and data-driven performance management to deliver measurable outcomes. The position also oversees public policy strategy aligned to the mission and participates on the Real Estate Team, as appropriate.
CSPO Success Indicators & Key Outcomes (First 12-18 Months):
- Lead a multi-year innovation roadmap for services and workforce training
- Launch pilot programs in growth industries (clean tech, AI operations, health care, skilled trades)
- Digital literacy and AI-readiness embedded across all training programs
- Reduce time-to-enrollment and time-to-placement; meet unit-cost benchmarks by program type
- Division-wide performance dashboard implemented with standardized metrics and quarterly learning reviews
- Measurable influence on workforce advocacy, policy, funding, or systems-level advancements
The CSPO will foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and learning with the following direct reports: Senior Director/VP–Services & Programs; Director–Employment, Training & Education; Director–Employer Partnerships; Director–Public Affairs & Policy; Director–Data, Evaluation & Learning; Director–Participant Services (wraparound supports); Grants & Contracts Lead. The CSPO will ensure that operational excellence, regulatory compliance, risk management, and measurable outcomes align to mission and sustainability while championing practical, values-based diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility efforts.
Key Relationships
- Board of Directors & Committees: Partners with and provides regular updates, analysis, and recommendations related to services, programs, public policy, and strategic initiatives.
- President/CEO, Executive Leadership Team & Staff: Collaborates on organizational strategy, enterprise priorities, and cross-functional initiatives.
- Regulators & Government Agencies: Maintains effective relationships to ensure compliance, advance advocacy priorities, and influence policy consistent with organizational goals.
- Community & Funding Partners: Builds and sustains partnerships with community organizations, funders, employers, and external stakeholders to expand capacity, impact, and visibility.
Key Responsibilities include:
- Program and Services Strategy, Delivery & Quality | Oversees a portfolio including training, career navigation, credentials, wraparound services, and post-placement support. Ensures each offering has a defined theory of change, cost model, unit-level P&L accountability, and outcome targets (including enrollment to completion to placement to retention to wage progression). Aligns program mix to target populations with specific barriers to employment and independence.
- Strategic Foresight & Innovation | Develops a 3–5-year services strategy that anticipates shifts in labor markets, automation, and changing work arrangements (hybrid, project-based, gig), ensuring programs remain relevant and effective. Establishes an annual participant-centered innovation roadmap, including pilots with clear hypotheses, milestones, and exit criteria.
- Public Affairs, Policy & Financial Stewardship| Manages the Services & Programs budget. Ensures compliance with funder/contract requirements, accreditation/credentialing standards, and applicable laws and regulations. Identifies and mitigates strategic, operational, reputational, and technology risks. Advances public policy priorities aligned with workforce participation and funding sustainability.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position is $245,000 - $285,000. The final salary will be commensurate with the successful candidate’s skills and experience.
Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota offers a comprehensive package of benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) and 457(b) retirement plans, and paid holidays. GESMN also offers Responsible PTO, which is the ability to take off time as you need it to assist in balancing work and home life. This role will also accrue job-protected Earned Sick and Safe Time.
Candidates must reside in or be willing to relocate to the Minneapolis region. Relocation assistance will be provided for those moving from outside the state of Minnesota. This is a full-time position based in a hybrid work environment, with an expectation of regular on-site presence that supports both GESMN’s services and program needs plus work-life balance.
Candidates must possess a valid driver’s license and meet organizational driving and insurance requirements. The role requires the ability to travel as needed to employer, program, and community locations along with occasional evening and weekend commitments for events, partnership building, and organizational priorities.
CONTACT
DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Tiara D. Muse and Dina Tyler. Express interest in this role by filling out our Talent Profile or emailing the search team directly at [email protected]. All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential.
DSG | Koya is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.