Assistant Director, Institute

Texas A&M University; College Station (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas A&M AgriLife’s Institute Water Resource team seeks an Assistant Director to lead operational strategy and program execution at TWRI. You will help coordinate programs, manage timelines, and align priorities with institutional goals across units.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree with at least six years of management experience, strong communication, and the ability to drive cross‑functional collaborations in a complex environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Six years of related management experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Drive Institute-wide strategy into coordinated implementation plans across programs and initiatives.
• Translate priorities into structured workflows, timelines, roles, and deliverables for consistent execution.
• Develop and maintain institute-level systems for follow-through and accountability.
• Oversee institute-wide project management systems to ensure coordination and on-schedule delivery.
• Identify operational inefficiencies and opportunities to improve coordination and performance.
• Develop reporting and performance tracking frameworks to support leadership decisions.

Skills

Excellent communication

Analytical thinking

Multitasking

Leadership

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Database applications

Job description

Job TitleAssistant Director, Institute Agency Texas A&M Agrilife Research Department Texas Water Resource Institute Proposed Minimum SalaryCommensurate Job LocationCollege Station, Texas Job TypeStaff Job Description

About Texas A&M AgriLife

Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Texas A&M AgriLife Research College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University Texas A&M Forest Service Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

As the nation's largest most comprehensive agriculture program, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System. With over 5,000 employees and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, environments and the Texas economy through education, research, extension and service.

Position Information

Operational Strategy, Execution, and Performance Management

• Drive Institute-wide strategy into coordinated implementation plans across programs and initiatives
• Translate strategic priorities into structured workflows, timelines, roles, and deliverables to ensure consistent execution across the Institute
• Develop and maintain Institute-level systems that ensure follow-through on priorities, alignment across programs, and clear reporting of outcomes and impact
• Oversee Institute-wide project management systems to ensure initiatives are properly coordinated, on schedule, and effectively integrated across units
• Identify operational inefficiencies, gaps, and opportunities to improve coordination, execution effectiveness, and overall institutional performance
• Develop standardized reporting and performance tracking frameworks to support leadership decision-making and external accountability

Program Coordination and Funding Development

• Monitor and support the performance of programs in achieving research outcomes, engagement goals, and external funding growth
• Support TWRI leadership in the development, coordination, and dissemination of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) aligned with Institute priorities
• Ensure funding processes are effectively managed from proposal development through selection, implementation, and reporting
• Track program-level outcomes related to research productivity, funding performance, and strategic impact

Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Partnerships

• Sustain relationships with key stakeholders, including state, federal, academic, industry, and community partners
• Maintain coordination with the Texas A&M Foundation and other external funding and development partners
• Support continuity and consistency in stakeholder engagement across programs and leadership priorities
• Assist in the coordination of international partnerships and global engagement activities aligned with Institute's strategy

Internal Operations and Organizational Systems

• Oversee internal operational infrastructure such as TWRI's website, communication teams, and workflow tools
• Improve internal processes to enhance efficiency, transparency, and coordination across teams
• Support implementation of standardized systems for documentation, communication, and information flow

Institute Reporting, Metrics, and Communication

• Support the TWRI leadership in leading institute-wide reporting including internal leadership updates, external stakeholder reports, and program performance summaries
• Develop systems to track key outputs, outcomes, and performance metrics across Institute activities
• Ensure reporting is consistent, timely, and aligned with funding and institutional requirements
• Translate program activity into clear evidence of institutional impact and performance

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Six years of related experience in management.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications. Knowledge of management development programs and implementation, and strategic planning.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Effective analytical, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

Reporting Structure:

• Reporting directly to the TWRI Director, the Assistant Director is a member of the Institute's leadership team and is responsible for advancing the Institute's strategic priorities through effective operational management.

Other Requirements:

• Work beyond normal office hours and/or on weekends.
• Travel required.

What You Need to Know

Salary: Compensation for this position is commensurate based on the selected candidate’s qualifications.

Why Work at Texas A&M AgriLife?

When you choose to work for Texas A&M AgriLife, you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international constituents.

In addition, Texas A&M AgriLife offers a comprehensive benefit package including the following:

• Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M AgriLife contributing to employee health and basic life premiums
• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
• Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.

The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a statewide network of twelve universities, eight state agencies, a comprehensive health science center, Texas A&M-Fort Worth and Texas A&M-RELLIS. The A&M System is committed to providing an educational and work environment that is conducive to the personal and professional development of each employee.

Each member institution provides equal opportunity and access to all students, employees and prospective employees.

External Applicants - Applicants not currently employed by a Texas A&M System member may Search Postings and apply for positions within one or more A&M System members by selecting the job posting.

Internal Applicants - This site lists job postings throughout The Texas A&M University System. It is intended for applicants not currently employed by a member of the system. Current employees should apply for jobs on the Internal Career site.

The Texas A&M System is an Equal Opportunity/ Veterans/ Disability Employer.