Pay Grade: 35E

Context of the Job:

The Elbert N. and Ann V. Carvel Research and Education Center (Carvel) serves as the southern agriculture experiment station for the University of Delaware's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Carvel encompasses the Thurman Adams Jr. Agriculture Research Farm (347 acres), Warrington Irrigation Research Farm (120 acres), Lasher Laboratory for poultry diagnostics, and the Jones Hamilton Environmental Poultry Research House. The campus also hosts Sussex County Cooperative Extension, offering programs in agriculture, horticulture, youth development, and family and consumer sciences, alongside student work-based learning and graduate training opportunities.

The Director of the Carvel Research and Education is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, administration, and operations of the center. Reporting directly to the Associate Dean of Research in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR), the Director collaborates with the CANR administrative leadership team to advance the College’s research, teaching, extension, and outreach initiatives. The Director plays a pivotal role in fostering an innovative environment that supports the academic, research, and extension goals of faculty, staff, and students while promoting the core mission of the University of Delaware as a land-grant institution.

Major Responsibilities:

Leadership and Strategic Management:

• Provide leadership in the administration, management, and strategic direction of Carvel, ensuring alignment with the land-grant mission of the University of Delaware.
• Develop and implement long-term goals that support research, teaching, and outreach in agriculture and environmental sciences at Carvel and are synergistic with those of CANR.
• Promote collaboration within Carvel’s faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders.
• Enhance Carvel’s visibility and reputation in the local, regional, and national academic and research communities.

Financial and Resource Management:

• Develop and manage Carvel’s annual and multi-year budget, ensuring resources are allocated effectively and equitably to meet the center’s operational needs and long-term goals.
• Secure external funding from sources such as state, federal and private partnerships.
• Ensure the sustainable allocation of financial resources for program development, staffing, infrastructure, and new initiatives.
• Actively manage funding for construction, renovation, and equipment procurement to maintain and advance a state-of-the-art research and educational facility.

Personnel and Staff Development:

• Lead and mentor a team of professionals, including research and extension faculty, farm staff, laboratory technicians, and part-time seasonal employees. Serve as supervisor of record to assigned employees. Monitor workload, productivity, and evaluate performance.
• Foster professional development opportunities and create a culture of continuous improvement.

Infrastructure and Facility Management:

• Oversee the operation and maintenance of Carvel’s physical infrastructure, which includes agricultural research facilities, laboratories, classrooms, offices, and equipment.
• Ensure that all facilities and equipment are well-maintained and meet the operational needs of ongoing research, educational activities, and outreach programs.
• Collaborate with facility management teams to plan, budget for, and execute renovations or construction projects that enhance the center’s operational capacity and research capabilities.
• Implement systems and processes for ensuring the efficient utilization and upkeep of the center’s facilities, laboratories, and equipment.

Collaboration and Program Development:

• Serve as the key liaison between Carvel, CANR’s Newark based campus, and the broader University of Delaware community, fostering partnerships with academic units, other research centers, state and federal agencies, and industry stakeholders.
• Lead efforts to expand interdisciplinary research initiatives, enhance extension and outreach programming, and ensure that Carvel’s programs are responsive to the needs of the community, the state, and the region.
• Support faculty and staff in securing funding and resources for their programs and help promote research outputs that have societal, environmental, and agricultural impact.
• Promote outreach programs that connect the research and educational efforts of Carvel to local agricultural communities, industries, and stakeholders, ensuring that the center remains a trusted source of expertise and innovation.

Communication and Reporting:

• Develop and deliver regular reports to the Associate Dean of Research for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources on Carvel’s activities, financial status, and progress toward achieving its strategic goals.
• Ensure transparent and timely communication with faculty, staff, students, and external partners, keeping all stakeholders informed about ongoing initiatives, funding opportunities, and emerging trends in agricultural and environmental research.
• Represent Carvel at regional, national, and international forums and conferences, advocating for the center’s mission and demonstrating its contributions to advancing the agricultural and environmental sciences.

Miscellaneous:

• Responsible for complying with university policies, procedures, and best practices regarding protecting data and following UD data governance rules.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in agriculture, plant sciences, environmental sciences, or a closely related field and 10 years of experience in research or Ph.D. and 7 years of experience. Bachelor’s degree with 15+ years of high-level research and leadership of research units or programs will be considered.
• Proven leadership experience in an academic, research, or extension environment, with a demonstrated ability to manage complex programs and teams.
• Experience with budget management, financial planning, and resource allocation in a research or academic setting.
• A strong track record of successfully managing infrastructure, facilities, and technology in a dynamic research environment.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Deep understanding of the land-grant mission and its intersection with agricultural and environmental research, teaching, and outreach.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and fostering collaboration among faculty, staff, and external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate organizational challenges and drive positive change.
• Employee development and performance management skills and experience.