Executive Director – Agriculture, Natural Resources & Strategic Centers, USU Extension

Overview Utah State University Extension is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and forward-thinking leader to serve as Executive Director & Extension Professor – Agriculture, Natural Resources & Strategic Centers. Based at Utah State University’s main campus in Logan, Utah, this position provides statewide leadership for Extension’s agriculture, natural resources, and strategic center portfolio and also serves as the State Agriculture Extension Program Leader. As a senior leader within USU Extension, the Executive Director provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for a diverse portfolio of Extension programs, centers, facilities, and statewide initiatives, including: Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources Department Davis Agricultural Heritage Center USU Botanical Center Ogden Botanical Gardens Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter Reporting to the Vice President of USU Extension, the Executive Director works across these areas to establish strategic direction, align people and resources, strengthen partnerships, support organizational leaders, and increase the collective impact of Extension programs and facilities throughout Utah. This position serves as a leader of leaders, providing direction, support, and accountability to directors, faculty, and personnel responsible for the day-to-day leadership of programs and centers within the portfolio. The Executive Director also serves as a member of USU Extension's senior leadership team, contributing to organization-wide strategy, resource planning, policy development, and decision-making. While each area within the portfolio has a distinct mission, audience, and expertise, the Executive Director is responsible for identifying opportunities to connect programs, people, facilities, partnerships, and resources in ways that strengthen USU Extension's statewide mission and service to Utah communities. The successful candidate would be expected to represent USU Extension at social and donor events, industry conferences, and other events where USU Extension leadership is expected to represent USU with distinction. This position requires frequent statewide travel as well as frequent evening and weekend work. Responsibilities Strategic Leadership Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for Agriculture & Natural Resources and the centers and initiatives within the assigned portfolio. Establish priorities that align with USU Extension and Utah State University goals. Translate organizational priorities into actionable plans and measurable outcomes. Work with faculty and staff to establish goals, priorities, and expectations for their respective areas. Identify emerging opportunities, challenges, and needs throughout Utah and position Extension to respond effectively. Advise Extension executive leadership regarding programs, facilities, personnel, resources, partnerships, risks, and opportunities. Lead and support organizational change and strategic initiatives. Identify opportunities for collaboration across programs and centers while preserving the distinct mission and strengths of each area. Agriculture & Natural Resources Provide executive leadership for USU Extension's statewide agriculture and natural resources portfolio. Support Extension faculty, staff, specialists, programs, and initiatives serving Utah's agricultural producers, landowners, communities, industries, home horticulture, and natural resources. Strengthen connections among county and statewide Extension programming, academic departments, researchers, industry, government agencies, and community partners. Support development of responsive programming addressing current and emerging agricultural and natural resource needs. Encourage interdisciplinary approaches that connect university expertise with practical needs throughout Utah. Identify opportunities to strengthen, expand, and sustain high-impact Extension programming. Advocate for the personnel, financial, and program resources necessary to support effective statewide delivery. Strategic Centers & Facilities Provide executive leadership and long-term strategic direction for the USU Botanical Center, Davis Agricultural Heritage Center, Ogden Botanical Gardens and Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter. Support the distinct educational, agricultural, horticultural, environmental, conservation, research, demonstration, and community-facing missions of the centers. Work with center leadership to establish long-term strategic and operational priorities. Provide strategic oversight for significant Extension facilities, land, equipment, and other physical assets. Identify opportunities to increase utilization, programming, partnerships, visibility, and community impact. Coordinate facility, capital, maintenance, and infrastructure priorities with appropriate university partners. Support sustainable operational and financial models for Extension centers. Encourage collaboration among centers and other Extension programs when shared expertise, facilities, or resources can increase impact. Ensure responsible stewardship of university facilities, land, equipment, and other resources. Organizational Leadership & People Development Provide direct leadership, supervision, coaching, and development to county Agriculture and Natural Resources faculty and program coordinators. There are approximately 50 direct reports. Administrate the promotion and tenure process for county faculty in the Agriculture and Natural Resources department. Build a strong and collaborative leadership team across programs and centers. Establish clear roles, responsibilities, decision-making authority, expectations, and accountability. Support faculty in addressing complex organizational, personnel, programmatic, and operational issues. Evaluate organizational structures and workforce needs and recommend changes when appropriate. Oversee and support rec