Assistant Director of Operations, Climate Resilient Cereals Innovation Lab

Job Description

About This Role:

Kansas State University College of Agriculture seeks a full-time Assistant Director of Operations, based in Manhattan, Kansas, to provide operational and administrative support for an international research program focused on global food security and climate resilience. This position assists in the management of programmatic and project functions within CRCIL. The role includes overseeing operations, ensuring program objectives are met, and providing strategic and professional support to leadership. This position reports directly to the CRCIL Program Director.

Key responsibilities include:

• Organizing, planning and leading operational activities of the program, such as supporting development of program workplans and timelines, monitoring partner delivery, setting program meetings, and liaising with relevant university administrative partners, including composing procedures and policies based upon program needs.
• Managing program reporting, including annual and semi-annual reports, U.S. Government indicator reporting, and other requested reports.
• Managing contracts and sub-awards.
• Managing donor, state, and university compliance.
• Managing program monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities.
• Supporting financial management of budgets.
• Managing external relations, publicity, and communication strategy, including representing the program to the public.
• Leading knowledge management for the program, ensuring publications, data, and reports are properly recorded, disseminated, archived, and made publicly available.
• Supporting new proposal development.

About Us:

In September 2023, Kansas State University was awarded the Management Entity (ME) for Climate Resilient Cereals Innovation Lab (CRCIL). CRCIL’s mission is to advance climate-resilient cereal breeding systems in several countries, leveraging cutting-edge agricultural science to address local needs and preferences. Research focuses on enhancing germplasm for sorghum, millet, wheat, and rice in target countries: Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Haiti, and Senegal. Key areas of scientific inquiry include allele discovery, validation, and integration into elite breeding materials. For further information, visit https://www.k-state.edu/crcil/

Worksite: This position is on-site at K-State’s campus in Manhattan, KS.

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires a bachelor’s degree and three to five years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office, including creating and using spreadsheets.
• Capability to be proactive and productive in a fast-paced environment, sourcing relevant input from appropriate sources and identifying innovative solutions to problems.
• Ability to travel internationally for up to two weeks at a time.
• Demonstrated attention to detail.
• Master’s degree in agricultural sciences, business, communications, related social sciences, or other relevant fields.
• Previous experience with international research or development programs.
• Previous experience with federal funding agencies.
• Previous experience contributing to project/program communication outputs.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting or overseeing monitoring and evaluation programs.
• Self-directed learner and active problem solver.
• Proven ability and commitment to work across multiple cultural environments.
• Working proficiency in French, Amharic or Bangla an additional plus.

Other Requirements:

• Some international travel is required.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

How to Apply: Please visit the link below to submit your application: https://careers.k-state.edu/jobs/assistant-director-of-operations-manhattan-kansas-united-states

Please submit the following documents:

• Letter of interest
• Resume
• Name, email, and phone number of three professional references. We will only contact your references if you are invited to an interview.

If you have any questions, please contact the Search Chair and Associate Director for Research & International Initiatives, Dena Bunnel, denab@ksu.edu.

Screening of Applications Begins: Immediately and continues until position is filled. For best consideration, please apply by May 8th.

Why Join Us:

Kansas State University offers a supportive and inclusive community, dedicated to your professional growth. While specific benefits may vary by position, many roles come with comprehensive packages that support your well-being and work-life balance, including health and life insurance, retirement plans, and generous paid time off. To learn more about benefits that are available for various positions, visit our benefits overview page.

Work Authorization: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

Background Screening Statement: Upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment, a candidate may be subject to a background check per K-State’s background check policy.

About the Organization

Kansas State University is a comprehensive R1, land-grant, public research university committed to teaching and learning, research, extension, and service to the people of Kansas, the nation, and the world. The K-State College of Agriculture leads in education and scientific discovery in the fields of agriculture, food and natural resources. The college is organized by nine departments that share an interdisciplinary approach and a commitment to advancing the public good through agriculture.