Director of County Extension Operations

Joe; Auburn (AL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

A university department in Alabama is seeking a County Extension Operations Director to oversee day-to-day operations and strategic initiatives across county Extension Offices. Responsibilities include supervising staff, coordinating regional programs, and promoting equitable access and inclusion. The director will also manage diverse funding portfolios and ensure alignment of educational programs with community needs. Ideal candidates are skilled in collaboration and data-driven decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Supervises Assistant Directors for Field Operations.
• Coordinates annual Plan of Work execution.
• Collaborates with various units to support educational initiatives.
• Ensures alignment of processes and communication.
• Grows diversified county funding portfolios.
• Promotes equitable access and inclusion.
• Drives data-informed decision cycles.
• Coordinates Civil Rights audits.
• Represents ACES in regional and national forums.

Job description

The County Extension Operations Director (CEOD) reports to the Director of ACES on the Auburn University campus. The ACES Director is organizationally responsible for all facets of the system, while the CEOD is responsible programmatically for day-to-day operational functions of county operations. Responsibilities include:

Responsibilities

• Supervises Assistant Directors for Field Operations; set statewide operational standards; steward county budgets and personnel decisions in partnership with support units and local governments.
• Coordinates annual Plan of Work execution with Assistant Director for Field Operations and Program Assistant Directors; embeds local needs assessments into statewide priorities; ensures consistent impact reporting, with leadership specifically on community resource development and community sustainability and vitality for all 67 Extension Offices.
• Collaborates with the following units: Human Resources, Business Office, Informational Technology, and Communications, Strategic Marketing and Client Relations to support all educational initiatives at the county and state level.
• Works closely with support units and campus partners to ensure alignment of processes, effective communication, and successful implementation of strategic initiatives.
• Grows diversified county funding portfolios (MOUs, grants, gifts, fees) and strengthens advisory systems; serve as liaison with county commissions.
• Ensures programs and operations actively promote equitable access and inclusion.
• Drives data-informed decision cycles, evaluation practices, and statewide dashboards for county operations; ensure audit readiness.
• Coordinates county-based Civil Rights audits in collaboration with ACES Human Resources team.
• Represents ACES in regional and national forums (ASRED/NEDA) and develop multi-state collaborations that advance county programming.