Director, Yuma Agricultural Center

The Director will lead and administer both the Yuma and Mesa Valley Farms which encompass 511-acres of farmland at the Yuma Agricultural Center (YAC). The farms support research, instruction, and Extension activities performed by University, public, and private partners.

The incumbent will administer and manage the agricultural research center by overseeing and engaging with all aspects related to the development, operation, infrastructure, policy, and funding. This is an important research center dedicated to essential research programs in support of the well-being of the community and beyond.

The Director is responsible for strategic planning to ensure the relevance of on-going and future research activities, which involve recruiting and supporting research faculty, overseeing support staff, engaging with industry representatives and stakeholders, transitioning to self-sustainability, and representing a University institution.

Located near the borders of Mexico and California, our Yuma operations serve an agricultural industry that contributes $3.2 billion to Arizona's economy annually and is responsible for over 90% of North American-grown leafy greens during the winter. The 274-acre Valley Farm serves as the headquarters for the Yuma Agricultural Center and supports investigations for diversified range of crops, including cotton, small grains, and vegetables, such as lettuce and broccoli. The 240-acre Mesa Farm has been primarily focused on citrus production throughout its history, and more recently, has provided a testing ground for commercial soil amendment technologies designed to support soil health and reduce water-use. Together, these two properties host several research and Extension programs.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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• Administer the Research Facility by overseeing and making daily and long-term business decisions and with reviewing and developing management strategies for the center, which includes academic, research, and operational areas. Oversee internal and external aspects for the off campus center, working with both internal and external partners.
• Plan and execute daily research operations, including managing and monitoring service agreements for projects, and work with compliance and basic maintenance requirements for labs.
• Enforce University standards and policies and establish operational guidelines for the Center for planning and executing daily operations. Resolve issues during challenging situations.
• Engage and communicate with research faculty, industry representatives, stakeholders, community leaders, and support staff personnel in designing, planning, and executing a variety of research programs, activities, and meetings.
• Fund and support the Center's research facilities and programs by engaging in revenue generating ventures which includes setting up service agreements for cost recovery. Collaborate on grant opportunities by giving input and assisting with drafting language. Utilize resources to improve revenue opportunities.
• Develop and implement an operational budget by strategically evaluating, reviewing, analyzing data, and planning futuristic goals.
• Participating with community economic development projects both with University campus administrators, local community leaders, and the research center's personnel.
• Work with faculty on research by overseeing their projects to move them forward and act as the first point of contact. Lead support staff personnel assigned to research projects.
• Coordinate resources and facility infrastructure and identify needs by bringing researchers and stakeholders together to collaborate on research projects.
• Evaluate performances, solicit and recruit personnel, and build team strengths and personnel awareness.
• Coordinate and collaborate with research faculty, staff personnel support, and external industry research clients to identify areas that have overlapping research and projects to better utilize resources.
• Develop business relationships with external and internal entities in support of the Center's research programs and funding opportunities.
• Market the Center's resources and develop funding opportunities through entrepreneurial efforts.
• Collaborate with other departments for better resource utilization and enriching capacities and capabilities by expanding knowledge, infrastructure, resources, and opportunities.
• Support and interact with University educational and research departments and programs through collaborations with internal and external stakeholders to identify opportunities for research and projects.
• Engage with educational, extension, and public outreach programs.
• Develop venues and infrastructure facilities/equipment for supporting educational programs and housing outreach events/activities on site for internal and external stakeholders.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Evidence of ability to supervise and evaluate employees.
• Demonstrated skills in addressing and resolving complex problems, sometimes without clear precedent.
• Demonstrated ability to develop coalitions, collaborate, and create a shared vision.
• Evidence of skill and proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), and digital communication tools such as Teams and Zoom.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and capacity to engage with the types of local economic, social, and governance challenges and opportunities in Yuma County's context.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum of 7 years of related work experience, including 3 years of managerial experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.
  

• Bachelor's or master's degree in a related field of study.
• Evidence of successful grant and contract acquisition and management for interdisciplinary approaches.
• Experience managing budgets, public funding streams, grants, contracts, and with public and private fund development.