Director, Center for Agribusiness
Florida Gulf Coast University
Job Summary
Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) seeks a Director for the
Center for Agribusiness, in the Lutgert College of Business (LCOB).
The Center connects the university to Southwest Florida's
agricultural sector and supports the region through applied
research, industry engagement, the agribusiness minor, and related
educational offerings.
The Director will hold the academic rank of Associate or Full
Professor in the Department of Economics and Finance. This position
is built around three core responsibilities: leading the
agribusiness minor and related educational offerings, including
curriculum development, course coordination, teaching, and student
recruitment; conducting applied research and securing external
funding to sustain the Center's operations and activities; and
engaging with industry partners and regional stakeholders through
activities such as workshops, conferences, or industry events that
advance the Center's role in the Southwest Florida agricultural
economy.
Florida Gulf Coast University is a comprehensive university
dedicated to quality education, research, and service. All faculty
are expected to be excellent teachers, committed to innovative
instruction and effective use of technology, engaged in scholarly
activity appropriate to their appointment, and active in service to
the College, University, and community.
FGCU is building a culture of curiosity, commitment and
collaboration. We value employees who successfully work with others
and drive positive change through critical thinking and decisive
action. If you thrive in an environment of innovation,
accountability and mutual respect, you will find a good home
here.
Job Description
Typical duties may include but are not limited to:
- Provide strategic leadership, long-term planning, and
operational oversight for the Center, and ensure alignment with
University and College priorities.
Develop and manage the Center's annual budget.
Develop, implement, and assess the Center's vision, goals,
strategic initiatives, and annual work plans.
Lead staff recruitment for Center positions in accordance with
university, college, and departmental policies.
Serve as the Center's primary liaison to regional agriculture,
including commodity organizations, producers, and industry
partners.
Convene and direct the advisory board and set its agenda in
line with the Center's priorities.
Develop and lead outreach and public service efforts such as
industry workshops, conferences, and applied initiatives that
advance the Center's role in the Southwest Florida agricultural
economy.
Lead fundraising efforts for the Center and cultivate donor
relationships to support the Center's mission.
Maintain an active research profile and produce peer-reviewed
scholarship consistent with appointment at the rank of Associate or
Full Professor.
Identify and pursue external funding opportunities to support
the Center's research agenda and operational sustainability.
Promote excellence in scholarship and service among
Center-affiliated faculty and collaborators.
Engage Lutgert College of Business Alico Chairs to develop
annual report and/or research agenda, convene meetings on urban and
agriculture issues with local leaders, on externally funded
projects.
Lead the administration of the agribusiness minor, covering
course scheduling, curriculum development, and faculty
coordination.
Support recruitment efforts for the minor through advising,
outreach, and promotional activities.
Teach up to four courses per year, primarily within the
agribusiness minor curriculum. (Normal load for 12- month faculty
is eight (8) courses (3 in Fall, 3 in Spring, and 2 in summer)
Additional Job Description
Required Qualifications:
- Doctorate in Agricultural Economics, Applied Economics,
Economics, or equivalent from an AACSB-accredited or equivalent
accredited institution.
- Current rank of Associate or Full Professor, or a record of
academic and professional achievement that meets the qualifications
for appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in directing or leading a research center,
institute, or similar applied program.
- Experience in developing or managing an academic minor,
certificate, or similar curricular program.
- Demonstrated track record of obtaining external funding from
federal, state, or industry sources.
- Experience and knowledge of Florida agriculture, covering
specialty crop production, water resource management and
regulation, agricultural labor, and land use issues.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities
- Demonstrated record of securing and managing external funding
to develop and sustain research, programs, or applied
initiatives.
- Ability in engaging with agricultural industry stakeholders,
including through applied research, outreach, or program
partnerships.
- Ability in developing and implementing academic programs,
including curriculum design and course development.
- Skills in working in a rapidly developing regional
comprehensive university with a focus on creating a
student-learning environment among various academic
disciplines.
- Ability to successfully develop relationships and interact with
external university constituents in construction, business, and
technology and to establish relationships internally.
- Ability to teach undergraduate and graduate courses, mentor and
coach faculty and students, and participate in regional/national
seminars, workshops and committees.
- Ability to lead continuing education programs.
- Ability to deal effectively with a various range of learners
and to use information technology as a pedagogical and professional
tool.
- Ability to collaborate both within and outside of the
university in the development and delivery of instruction.
- Ability to collaborate with other faculty to develop a shared
vision of the future.
- Proven ability to think strategically and approach challenges
with creativity.
- Demonstrated track record of reliability, meeting goals, and
holding oneself accountable.
- Strong interpersonal skills and experience working effectively
across teams.
Institutional Values & Behavioral Expectations:
In this role, the successful candidate will be expected to:
- Seek out new approaches to improve outcomes; remain open to
feedback and new ideas.
- Lead with integrity; consistently produce high-quality work;
persevere to overcome obstacles to meet deadlines and achieve
deliverables.
- Share information and insights thoughtfully; build partnerships
across departments; communicate respectfully; support colleagues to
achieve common goals.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Appointment will be made at an out-of-unit faculty rank
commensurate with the candidate's experience on a 12-month
out-of-unit multi-year appointment basis with an anticipated start
date of July 2027.
Because applications and materials are subject to public review and
retention under Florida's Public Records Law, please DO NOT send
examples of your project/scholarship unless requested to do so.
Therefore, all submitted materials including articles, disks,
slides, books, etc., become the property of FGCU and CANNOT BE
RETURNED. As applicable, finalists will be notified of the need to
submit specific additional materials. Such materials will become
the property of FGCU. Under Florida's Public Records law,
applications will be available for public review upon
request.
Required Application Materials
- Unofficial transcripts
- Statement of Teaching Philosophy
- Statement of Research
- Curriculum vitae
- Cover letter
- Five (5) Professional References
Review of applicant materials will begin immediately and
continue until the position is filled.
FGCU is a State University System of Florida member and an Equal
Opportunity and Equal Access employer. All qualified applicants
will receive consideration for employment without regard to race,
color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or
protected veteran status.
To apply, please visit: https://jobs.fgcu.edu/jobs/director-center-for-agribusiness-fort-myers-florida-united-states
je-6988912751e44d2fa25a3659cbf3e8b4
