Kansas State University seeks a dynamic and collaborative leader to serve as the Director of Community Health and Well-Being. This position will play a pivotal role in advancing interdisciplinary research, education, and engagement efforts aimed at improving health and well-being across Kansas communities. The Director will spearhead initiatives under K-State's Next-Gen Strategic Plan, bringing together faculty, students, and external partners to develop innovative solutions to pressing community health and well-being challenges.
This position reports to the Director of Strategic Interdisciplinary Program Development in the Office of External Engagement. Under the leadership of the Executive Vice President, the Office of External Engagement connects K-State's research excellence and academic innovation directly to Kansas communities.
The Director will provide vision and leadership to develop and scale interdisciplinary initiatives that address community health and well-being priorities, including rural healthcare, housing, childcare, aging, broadband access, food security, water sustainability, and economic vitality. This is a high-visibility leadership role with the opportunity to represent Kansas State University at the state and national levels in community health and well-being initiatives. The Director will have a rare opportunity to shape a new interdisciplinary institute from the ground up, establishing Kansas State University as a national leader in community-based health innovation and engagement.
Key Responsibilities:
• Interdisciplinary Team Building: Facilitate collaboration across colleges and departments to address complex community wellness challenges. Establish and support interdisciplinary teams that integrate expertise in health sciences, social sciences, environmental sciences, education, agriculture, architecture, business, and other relevant fields.
• Strategic Leadership: Provide vision and direction for the university’s efforts in community health and well-being. Develop and implement strategies to align research, education, and outreach efforts with state and national priorities, including K-State’s Next-Gen Strategic Plan Imperatives and the Kansas Board of Regents’ Strategic Plan (Economic Prosperity Pillar 3).
• Project Development and Management: Lead and coordinate interdisciplinary priority projects that respond to community needs, advancing public health, rural prosperity, and community resilience.
• Partnership Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with local, state, and national stakeholders, including government agencies, non-profits, healthcare providers, and industry partners. Key collaborators include the Kansas Health Foundation, Kansas Rural Center, Kansas Department of Commerce Office of Rural Prosperity, and community-based organizations across all 105 Kansas counties.
• Student Engagement: Engage students in applied learning experiences, preparing the next generation of leaders in public health, rural education, and community development.
• Grant Writing and Fundraising: Identify funding opportunities and lead grant proposal development to support community health and well-being initiatives. Cultivate philanthropic and corporate support for strategic initiatives.
• Evaluation and Impact Assessment: Work with faculty and external partners to design and implement assessment frameworks to measure the impact of programs and initiatives on community health and well-being outcomes, as well as progress towards the K-State Next-Gen Strategic Plan Imperatives.
• Communication and Advocacy: Serve as a key spokesperson for Kansas State University’s interdisciplinary community health and well-being initiatives.
This position reports to the Director of Strategic Interdisciplinary Program Development in the Office of External Engagement. Under the leadership of the Executive Vice President, the Office of External Engagement connects K-State's research excellence and academic innovation directly to Kansas communities. At Kansas State University, we know that complex issues take the collective thinking of well-rounded experts across disciplines who are dedicated to shared values. Pursuant to our mission and bold vision to serve as a standard-setting next-generation land-grant university, Kansas State University is fostering new interdisciplinary approaches to teaching, research and outreach by launching new interdisciplinary institutes. Institutes such as Community Health and Well-Being serve students, community members and industry alike through innovative collaborations and bold new ideas.
This position is On-site.
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.
Minimum Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
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: December 10, 2025
$80,000 - $120,000 Annually
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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.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.
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.
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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