https://employment.unl.edu/postings/89418

Website:  https://ianr.unl.edu/nebraska-lead-program-director 

Director – Nebraska LEAD Program 

• We are seeking an innovative, dynamic, and collaborative leader to be the Director of the Nebraska LEAD Program. Nebraska LEAD is the state’s premier leadership development program of leaders in the agriculture, agribusiness, ag-policy, and rural community prosperity sectors. The program nurtures leadership potential to advance agriculture throughout Nebraska and within its communities.

  The Director will provide intellectual and strategic leadership for all aspects of the program. The successful candidate will be one who is a leadership expert who understands the role and fabric of leadership within communities and agriculture and how Nebraska contributes to the global food system. In addition to being an effective leader, the incumbent must have competencies in teaching and nurturing leadership in others. Our next director will be one who can design and deliver a contemporary leadership curriculum that will develop leaders in the number one industry in Nebraska—agriculture. This person must have strong interpersonal skills and an ability to network, partner, collaborate, and engage community leaders in support of the program. 

  Recognizing that the changing demographics within Nebraska provide opportunities to enhance our potential for creativity, innovation, and impact, the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) is committed to creating learning environments and Nebraska LEAD programming that are accessible and inclusive to all. Every person and every interaction are treated as important to our collective well-being and our ability to deliver on the university’s land-grant mission. 

  The director is charged with coordinating, providing, and promoting all aspects of the Nebraska LEAD Program. This includes curriculum development and delivery, study travel seminar organization, program participant recruitment, budget management, donor development, and alumni relations. The director also contributes their expertise to enhance the university’s academic agricultural leadership programs through course instruction. 
  
  This is a 12-month (calendar year), 100% administrative appointment. This position will be located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The director will be appointed to a five-year renewable term, subject to satisfactory annual reviews and a formal reappointment review.
  
  Minimum Qualifications

  To be considered for the position, applicants must meet the following qualifications:

• Master’s degree.
• Demonstrated ability to provide visionary leadership (including creating a vision and aligning resources to achieve strategic outcomes).
• Exceptional skills in communication and interpersonal relations.
• Experience and ability to connect with donors and establish positive relationships.
• Demonstrated commitment to practices that enhance access, equity, inclusion, and belongingness.
• Understanding of global agriculture and food systems.

• 
  

  Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral degree.
• Experience in curriculum development and delivery.
• Experience working and providing leadership in agriculture, agribusiness, or rural communities.
• Demonstrated ability to make hard decisions.
• Experience developing and facilitating study tours and/or education abroad experiences.
• Experience working with an advisory board.
• An ability to collaborate effectively with a broad range of constituencies.
• Sensitivity to the perspectives and values of stakeholders.

• Application Process
  The search advisory committee will continue to receive applications until the Director is selected. To ensure full consideration, nominations and applications should be submitted before February 12, 2024.

  Questions and nominations can be directed in confidence to the co-chairs of the search committee:

  Richard Bischoff, Ph.D.

  Associate Vice Chancellor, IANR 

  rbischoff2@unl.edu

  Jolene Messinger, MBA 

  NALC Board Chair

  Branch Manager, SRB Capital Management, Inc.

  jrmessinger77@gmail.com

  
  Applicants should go to https://employment.unl.edu, requisition F_240002. Click “Apply for this Job,” complete the information form and attach the following documents:

1.     A letter of interest that describes your qualifications for the position, anticipated contributions, and vision for the program.
2.     A statement describing your experience working in diverse teams or groups and your anticipated contributions to creating inclusive environments in which every person and every interaction matters (2 page maximum). See https://ianr.unl.edu/ongoing-searches for guidance in writing this statement.
3.     A detailed curriculum vitae.
4.     

The names of three to five (3-5) professional references. 

Candidates are urged to review all information and documents posted on the search website.

For questions and assistance with submitting the application, contact Rachel Szelag, Senior HR Specialist at rszelag2@unl.edu or by phone at (402) 472-5730. 

UNL offers an attractive compensation and benefits package commensurate with the successful candidate’s background and experience. 

The University of Nebraska is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work and learning environment free from discrimination and harassment. UNL is dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and included. 

As an EO/AA employer, the University of Nebraska considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation. See https://www.unl.edu/equity/notice-nondiscrimination.