The Associate Director of Extension Programs serves as a senior faculty leader within K-State Extension, providing strategic, programmatic, fiscal, and organizational leadership for Extension’s statewide educational mission. Reporting directly to the Assistant Vice President – Director for Extension, this position leads the development and implementation of strategic priorities, ensures alignment of programs and resources with organizational goals, and advances Extension’s impact across Kansas communities.
The role provides oversight for Extension’s statewide program portfolio, including agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, community vitality, youth development, and emerging program areas. The position oversees assigned budgets and resources, ensuring responsible stewardship of public and external funds and data-informed decision-making.
The Associate Director serves as a systems-level leader responsible for advancing the relevance, quality, impact, and long-term sustainability of Extension programming across Kansas. The position identifies emerging statewide needs; develops cross-program and transdisciplinary priorities; leads strategic and grant-funded initiatives; builds accountability and evaluation structures; and cultivates partnerships with federal agencies, foundations, industry, community organizations, and university collaborators, and resources necessary for Extension to address complex community and statewide challenges.
The position also serves as a senior representative of K-State Extension, strengthening relationships with stakeholders, policymakers, educational partners, and Cooperative Extension systems nationwide.
The Associate Director works closely with Extension administration, program leaders, faculty, specialists, educators, academic and administrative partners, state and federal agencies, community organizations, and external stakeholders to ensure Extension programming remains research-based, responsive, outcomes-focused, and aligned with Kansas State University’s land-grant mission.
This is a 1.0 FTE, tenure or non-tenure faculty appointment.
About Us
K-State Extension improves Kansans' lives, livelihoods and communities through education, research, engagement and leadership. With scientists, educators and volunteers in each of the state's 105 counties, our professionals strive to make the university's research and scientific accomplishments accessible and relevant to every household.
This position is On-site.
Minimum Qualifications:
The degree requirement is necessary for accreditation purposes and to ensure candidates possess the specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities that can only be attained through a formal educational program at this level.
Preferred Qualifications:
Additional Role Information:
Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies
The successful candidate will demonstrate strategic leadership, organizational awareness, and the ability to balance long-term vision with operational execution. Strong supervisory, coaching, team-building, decision-making, and relationship-management skills are essential, along with the ability to influence and collaborate across organizational boundaries. The position requires expertise in program quality, evaluation, resource stewardship, accountability, and continuous improvement, as well as a strong commitment to the land-grant mission and public service.
Scope and Impact
This position influences Extension programming and services across Kansas, shaping statewide priorities, resource allocation, organizational partnerships, externally funded initiatives, and program effectiveness. The role requires independent judgment, strategic decision-making, and the ability to align diverse stakeholders around common goals while advancing Extension’s mission, visibility, and long-term impact.
Sponsorship eligibility:
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship
Please submit the following documents:
Applications close on: October 21, 2026
Salary commensurate with education and experience.
Kansas State University offers a supportive and inclusive community, dedicated to your professional growth. While specific benefits may vary by position, many roles come with comprehensive packages that support your well-being and work-life balance, including health and life insurance, retirement plans, and generous paid time off. To learn more about benefits that are available for various positions, visit our benefits overview page.
Employees must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment. International candidates who require employer-sponsored work authorization are welcome to apply. Eligibility for visa sponsorship depends on several factors, including but not limited to, the job’s occupational requirements, specific duties, wage level, the candidate’s qualifications (such as degree field) and available departmental resources. As a result, not all positions or applicants will be eligible for sponsorship.
Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.
Some positions are eligible for remote or hybrid working arrangements. An employee who is working in a remote or hybrid capacity for K-State must reside within the United States in order to comply with all federal and state laws, filings, or tax requirements. Remote and hybrid work arrangements are not available for anyone who resides in the state of Idaho.
Kansas participates in the MakeMyMove program, which connects eligible newcomers with participating communities offering financial incentives, housing support, and local perks to help make your move easier and more rewarding. If relocating from outside of Kansas you can visit the site to apply online for the program incentives.
Upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment, a candidate may be subject to a background check per K-State’s background check policy.
Kansas State University honors interview preferences for qualified applicants who are veterans or individuals with disabilities. Eligible applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, submit all required application materials, and submit required preference documentation by the closing date on the job advertisement will be granted a first-level interview.
The disability and veteran interview preferences do not apply to student employment positions, temporary positions, athletics positions, academic and administrative department heads*, positions that require licensure as a physician, and positions that require that the employee be admitted to practice law in Kansas.
*Heads of Departments refers to any individual holding a primary leadership role responsible for the overall strategic direction, management and operational oversight of a recognized academic or administrative unit within the university.
To learn more about interview preferences at K-State, please visit our interview preferences page.
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