The Shingo Institute’s Director provides leadership and oversight for one of the world’s most respected honors in organizational excellence. This role is responsible for managing the end-to-end administration of the Shingo Prize, ensuring alignment with the Shingo Model, Guiding Principles, and Three Insights of Organizational Excellence. The Director ensures the integrity and rigor of the assessment process, supports organizations in their pursuit of sustainable cultures of continuous improvement, and upholds the standards by which excellence is recognized through measurable performance and behavioral outcomes.

In addition, the role leads the Shingo Institute’s broader portfolio—including research, education, workshops, and global affiliate engagement—to reinforce the Prize as a cornerstone of the Institute’s mission. Through strategic coordination, stakeholder engagement, and operational excellence, the Director helps extend the Institute’s impact, supporting organizations worldwide in their journey toward lasting organizational excellence.

About the role:

• This is an administrative position eligible for faculty rank.
• This position does not allow consulting in the field of organizational and operational excellence due to the potential conflict with the integrity of awards issued by the Shingo Institute.
• This position is located in Logan, Utah.

Lead a “program of excellence” that fulfills the mission of the Shingo Institute “to improve the process of improvement by conducting cutting-edge research, providing relevant education, performing insightful organizational assessments, and recognizing organizations committed to achieving sustainable world-class results.”

Specifically:

• Act as a strategic advocate and ambassador for the Shingo Institute and the Shingo Model throughout the world.
• Develop and manage the Shingo Institute’s budget, resources, and staffing to ensure the financial performance of the Institute.
• Oversee the day-to-day activities of the Institute, including, but not limited to, assessments, events, curriculum development, delivery of educational materials, operations, research, finances, etc.
• Cultivate relationships to continue growing the network of licensed affiliates.
• Lead the launch of new initiatives.
• Provide leadership as Chair of the Shingo Institute Advisory Board, managing member selection, defining terms and committee assignments, and setting the agenda for board meetings.
• Serve as a Shingo Master Trainer.
• As a program leader in the Huntsman School, support the mission and purpose of the Huntsman School – especially to be a “career accelerator for our students.”
• Work collaboratively within a college and university system, partner with all functional areas, and ensure compliance with all university policies and procedures.
• Leverage the network of the Shingo Institute to benefit the Shingo Student Center.
• Serve as a member of the Shingo Student Center Advisory Board.
• Support the Lean Education Academic Network (L.E.A.N.) community.
• This role may include teaching classes in the Huntsman School.

The successful candidate must have the following qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• 10 years’ experience as an executive in an organization dedicated to improvement.
• Shingo Alumni.

Preferred:

Candidates that meet the following criteria will be given preferential consideration:

• Experience developing curriculum and delivering educational materials to executives in both face-to-face and online formats.
• Shingo Examiner and/or Facilitator.
• Executive with a Shingo Prize or Award recipient organization.

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
2. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level, USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season. The Aggies’ long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by recent Mountain West regular-season and tournament championships in women’s volleyball, three consecutive Mountain West tournament titles in women’s soccer conference championships, and a first-ever conference championship for gymnastics, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

*updated 12/2025

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| OCR.Denver@ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 |  OCR@ed.gov

*updated 10/2025