Director, Center for Agribusiness

Florida Gulf Coast University•Lexington, MA

About The Position

Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) seeks a Director for the Center for Agribusiness in the Lutgert College of Business. The Center connects the university with Southwest Florida’s agricultural sector through applied research, industry engagement, the agribusiness minor, and related educational offerings. The Director will hold the academic rank of Associate or Full Professor in the Department of Economics and Finance, with an appointment on a 12-month, out-of-unit, multi-year basis. The position’s core responsibilities are leading the agribusiness minor and related educational offerings; conducting applied research and securing external funding to sustain Center operations and activities; and engaging industry partners and regional stakeholders through workshops, conferences, and other events. The Director provides strategic leadership and operational oversight, manages the Center’s budget and work plans, leads staff recruitment and fundraising, and serves as the Center’s primary liaison to regional agriculture stakeholders. The role also includes maintaining an active research profile, producing peer-reviewed scholarship, coordinating the agribusiness minor’s curriculum and courses, supporting student recruitment, and teaching up to four courses per year. FGCU expects faculty to provide excellent teaching, use innovative instruction and technology effectively, engage in scholarly activity appropriate to their appointment, and contribute service to the College, University, and community. The successful candidate is expected to work collaboratively, think strategically, lead with integrity, communicate respectfully, and build partnerships across the university and with external stakeholders.

Requirements

Doctorate in Agricultural Economics, Applied Economics, Economics, or an equivalent field from an AACSB-accredited or equivalently accredited institution.
Current rank of Associate or Full Professor, or an academic and professional record meeting the qualifications for appointment at either rank.
Demonstrated record of securing and managing external funding to develop and sustain research, programs, or applied initiatives.
Ability to engage agricultural industry stakeholders through applied research, outreach, or program partnerships.
Ability to develop and implement academic programs, including curriculum design and course development.
Ability to work in a rapidly developing regional comprehensive university and support a student-learning environment across academic disciplines.
Ability to develop relationships and interact with external university constituents in construction, business, and technology, and to establish internal relationships.
Ability to teach undergraduate and graduate courses, mentor and coach faculty and students, and participate in regional or national seminars, workshops, and committees.
Ability to lead continuing education programs.
Ability to work effectively with a range of learners and use information technology as a pedagogical and professional tool.
Ability to collaborate inside and outside the university in developing and delivering instruction and to work with faculty to develop a shared vision.
Ability to think strategically and approach challenges creatively.
Demonstrated reliability, ability to meet goals, and personal accountability.
Strong interpersonal skills and experience working effectively across teams.
Expected to remain open to feedback and new ideas, lead with integrity, produce high-quality work, persevere to meet deadlines, share information thoughtfully, build partnerships, communicate respectfully, and support colleagues.

Nice To Haves

Experience directing or leading a research center, institute, or similar applied program.
Experience developing or managing an academic minor, certificate, or similar curricular program.
Demonstrated track record of obtaining external funding from federal, state, or industry sources.
Experience and knowledge of Florida agriculture, including specialty crop production, water resource management and regulation, agricultural labor, and land use issues.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership, long-term planning, and operational oversight for the Center, aligning its work with University and College priorities.
Develop and manage the Center’s annual budget.
Develop, implement, and assess the Center’s vision, goals, strategic initiatives, and annual work plans.
Lead recruitment of Center staff in accordance with university, college, and departmental policies.
Serve as the Center’s primary liaison to regional agriculture, including commodity organizations, producers, and industry partners.
Convene and direct the advisory board and establish its agenda in line with Center priorities.
Develop and lead outreach and public service efforts, including industry workshops, conferences, and applied initiatives.
Lead fundraising efforts and cultivate donor relationships to support the Center’s mission.
Maintain an active research profile and produce peer-reviewed scholarship consistent with appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor.
Identify and pursue external funding to support the Center’s research agenda and operational sustainability.
Promote excellence in scholarship and service among Center-affiliated faculty and collaborators.
Engage Lutgert College of Business Alico Chairs in developing an annual report and/or research agenda, convening meetings on urban and agriculture issues with local leaders, and working on externally funded projects.
Lead administration of the agribusiness minor, including course scheduling, curriculum development, and faculty coordination.
Support recruitment for the minor through advising, outreach, and promotional activities.
Teach up to four courses per year, primarily within the agribusiness minor curriculum.