Associate Director

About This Role

Kansas State University (KSU) seeks an Associate Director to support the Sustainable Intensification of Targeted Agricultural Systems Innovation Lab (SITAS-IL). The Associate Director will lead program implementation, technical integration, and performance management of the SITAS-IL. Reporting to the Program Director, the Associate Director will directly supervise the Program Manager and Data Manager, lead implementation of the program-wide Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan, and coordinate performance and technical integration across the Innovation Consortia, Regional Implementation Hubs, and in-country partners. The Associate Director will ensure that reliable evidence informs program decisions, adaptive management, technology-scaling pathways, partner performance, and accurate and timely reporting to the U.S. Department of State (DOS).

About Us

Here at the Department of Agronomy, we strive to equip students and industry members with the tools they need to serve our communities and society as a whole through agriculture. Through each facet of our work, we emphasize the importance of sustainable and efficient practices to conserve our resources and protect the land.

The Department of Agronomy, together with the Research and Extension Centers, provides statewide leadership for teaching, research, and extension activities in plant breeding, crop production, range science, soil science, and weed sciences and contributes substantially to activities in genetics, water science, and environmental sciences.

Kansas State University is located in Manhattan, KS, in the scenic tallgrass prairies of the Flint Hills of NE Kansas. Manhattan is 125 miles west of Kansas City and 50 miles west of Topeka. Kansas State University is the nation’s first land-grant institution and currently enrolls ~24,000 students. Check the local Convention & Visitors Bureau website (http://www.manhattancvb.org/) for more information.

Worksite Description

This position is Remote eligible. Work may be performed on employer premises, designated assignment location and/or performed fully in a remote capacity. An employee who is working remotely must reside within the United States in order to comply with all federal and state laws, filings, or tax requirements.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires a bachelor's degree and five years of relevant experience in international development, agricultural development, monitoring and evaluation, public policy, or related field.
  
  Education beyond the minimum degree requirement may count toward required experience if deemed relevant by the hiring manager. The degree requirement ensures candidates possess the advanced theoretical knowledge, specialized methodologies and critical problem-solving skills essential for managing complex research operations and ensuring regulatory compliance. These competencies are typically developed and rigorously validated only through the comprehensive curriculum and intensive experiential learning inherent in a formal degree program.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in international development, agricultural development, monitoring and evaluation, public policy, or a related field.
• At least 15 years of experience managing complex, multi-country international development programs, focused on agriculture and food security.
• Experience leading monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities and preparing timely reports for U.S. Government agencies or other major donors.
• Experience coordinating universities, research institutions, government agencies, private-sector organizations, and implementing partners.
• Experience supervising professional staff and managing multiple priorities, deadlines, and program challenges.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• Senior-level experience with USAID, the U.S. Department of State, Feed the Future, or another U.S. Government program.
• Experience managing large program portfolios, grants, contracts, or subawards.
• Experience with program evaluations, surveys, adaptive management, and agricultural technology scaling.
• Experience working with CGIAR (international research centers) organizations, national agricultural research and extension systems, and universities.
• Knowledge or experience working in SITAS-IL target regions or countries.
• Willingness to travel internationally to the target countries of the SITAS-IL.

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:

• Letter of interest
• Resume
• Name, email, and phone number of three professional references

Application Window

Applications close on: October 15, 2026

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

$145,000 - $155,000