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Wolfe's Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment · 4 weeks ago

Director of Research & Innovation

Freeport, ME, USA

Full-time

Hybrid

Director/Executive

6+ years exp

Wolfe's Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment is seeking a Director of Research & Innovation to lead their Research & Innovation program area. This role involves overseeing agricultural research projects, managing partnerships, and developing frameworks for data systems to enhance farmers' practices and viability.

AgricultureFarmingNon Profit

No H1B

Responsibilities

Oversee all aspects of Research & Innovation programming, including:

Supporting Research & Innovation staff in maintaining agricultural data systems and technology development project timelines and deliverables, ensuring that work gets done on time, within budget, and according to project specifications

Leading and participating in all initiatives related to the development of an agricultural framework for Measurement, Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MMRV) that maintains data integrity and accuracy, supports the viability of agricultural operations of all scales, and ensures better coordination and reduced risk

In coordination with the Senior Manager for Marketplace Development, overseeing staff and technical assistance providers who deliver support to farmers in the Northeast with conservation practice adoption, related soil analysis services and any associated environmental assessments

Supporting the Research Scientist who is leading and coordinating all research projects conducted on site in accordance with an established organizational research agenda

Providing overall management of relevant program budgets

Working with the Managing Director of Programs and Research & Innovation staff to identify and elevate potential connections across Research & Innovation projects and with other areas of WNC programming

Ensuring comprehensive partner relationship management and communication, supporting Research & Innovation staff who serve as points of contact for project-specific relationships, and serving as a principal point of contact for partners and subawardees who are engaged across projects to support holistic relationship development

Supervise Research & Innovation program staff, including the implementation of meetings and other processes to best support the overall function of the team

Work with the Managing Director of Programs and other relevant WNC staff to develop and implement new areas of Research & Innovation programming, including:

Identifying and engaging relevant subject matter expertise and potential partners to advance new areas of work

Supporting efforts to identify new funding sources to support sustained funding for core operations as well as relevant potential projects

Working with the Advancement Team, Operations and Finance, Managing Director of Programs, and other staff to support funding proposals and reporting

Represent Wolfe's Neck Center at relevant conferences and gatherings, as a panelist and speaker

Qualification

Agricultural researchData systems developmentProject managementStrategic vision communicationFundraising processesCollaboration skillsRemote team managementVerbal communicationWritten communication

Required

Advanced degree in agriculture science, agroecology, ecology, plant science, soil science, environmental science, or related field

6-10 years of relevant experience with agricultural research and/or data systems and technology development

Working knowledge of agriculture and crop/soil interactions, with a preference for livestock and grazing-based farm operation - could be achieved through a combination of on-farm experience, farm-based research, or technical assistance

Strong collaborative project management, prioritization, and planning skills, with demonstrated success producing high-quality deliverables on time and within budget

Success in developing and communicating clear strategic vision across departments, team and external partners

Experience working with and managing remote teams, and the ability to foster a collaborative and effective team culture while coaching direct reports

Proven ability to build and maintain positive relationships with diverse partners and stakeholders, including farmers, researchers, technologists, technical assistance providers, and agriculture support organizations

High degree of familiarity with fundraising processes and financial oversight, with a preference for experience in the agricultural research and data systems landscape

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Legally able to work in the United States (we cannot provide VISA sponsorship)

Benefits

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Three weeks paid vacation

Six sick days

Maine state holidays off

Our retirement savings plan

Company

Wolfe's Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment

Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment is a fast-growing, national nonprofit organization based on a campus of over 600 acres of coastal farmland in Freeport, Maine.

Founded in 1959

Freeport, Maine, USA

11-50 employees