Assistant Director of Operations

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 Option

This position is on-site. 

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.

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents:

1. Letter of interest 
2. Resume 
3. 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. 

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

$70,835-$113,332