Director of Beef Center of Excellence BS4981

Oklahoma State University•Stillwater, OK

5d•Remote

About The Position

Oklahoma State University invites applications for the inaugural Director of the Beef Center of Excellence, a newly established virtual center dedicated to advancing cross-disciplinary research, extension, and engagement across the beef cattle industry. The Director will serve as the founding leader of this initiative, building the center from the ground up and positioning OSU as a national hub for beef cattle innovation and collaboration. This is a unique opportunity for a visionary leader with deep ties to the beef industry to shape a program that spans the full supply chain.

Requirements

Bachelor's in animal science, agricultural business, agricultural communications, economics, range science, entomology or a related field (degree must be conferred on or before agreed upon start date)
Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in the beef industry, agricultural research administration, extension, or a closely related field
Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement, partnership development, or industry relations
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across academic, industry, and policy audiences
Proven ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives

Nice To Haves

Master's or doctoral degree in a relevant field
Experience in fundraising, development, or grant writing
Familiarity with agricultural research and extension programs
Existing relationships within the Oklahoma and national beef industry

Responsibilities

Work with the Beef Center of Excellence advisory board, administration, faculty, and staff to develop overall vision and strategic planning for the Beef Center of Excellence
Develop and execute a long-range plan for center growth, programming, and impact
Represent the center internally across OSU colleges, OSU Extension, and experiment stations, and externally with industry, government, and academic partners
Build and sustain relationships with producers, packers, feeders, breed associations, commodity groups, and other stakeholders throughout the beef supply chain
Serve as a liaison between the beef industry and OSU's research and extension communities
Coordinate and facilitate industry advisory groups, ensuring meaningful industry input into center priorities and programming, and work closely with the Beef Center of Excellence advisory board
Identify and catalyze cross-disciplinary research opportunities that address critical needs in beef production, sustainability, food safety, economics, and market development
Collaborate with faculty across OSU Agriculture to develop coordinated research and extension programming
Support the translation of research findings into practical tools, resources, and recommendations for industry audiences through OSU Extension
Maintain a cohesive collections of resources that can be deployed to fund impactful and cutting-edge research and outreach
Develop innovative programs and curriculum to train students to be leaders in the beef industry
Lead fundraising efforts for the center, including cultivating donor relationships, pursuing corporate partnerships, and identifying grant opportunities
Work closely with the OSU Foundation advancement staff to develop and execute a fundraising strategy aligned with center goals to include endowed chair positions and advisory board membership cultivation
Steward existing donors and industry partners to support long-term investment in the center
In coordination with the office of communications and marketing in OSU Agriculture, develop a communications strategy that elevates the center's visibility and impact with both industry and academic audiences
Represent OSU and the Beef Center of Excellence at regional, national, and international beef industry events and conferences