Executive Director

America's Cultivation Corridor; Des Moines (IA); Presencial; USD 100.000 - 160.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

America’s Cultivation Corridor seeks an Executive Director to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for Iowa’s leading food, agriculture, bioscience and technology ecosystem initiative. The role focuses on building partnerships, accelerating investment, and driving measurable growth across industry, academia and government, with travel to support regional engagement.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree, 10 years of senior leadership experience, and a willingness to travel

Formación

• Bachelor's degree and 10 years of professional leadership experience are required.
• Experience across business, agriculture, government, higher education, innovation or related sectors is preferred.
• Domestic and international travel is required.

Responsabilidades

• Lead the Corridor’s strategy, priorities, programs and operations with governance and fiscal oversight.
• Develop industry relationships and identify opportunities for investment, growth and partnerships in Iowa’s food/agriculture ecosystem.
• Strengthen connections among startups, established industry, research institutions and investors to accelerate commercialization and entrepreneurial growth.
• Retain and grow the investor base, demonstrate impact, and secure financial support for organizational sustainability.
• Build and maintain strong cross-sector relationships and convene partners around opportunities for regional advancement.
• Serve as a visible external leader and spokesperson, representing Iowa’s agricultural innovation ecosystem at events and conferences.
• Develop international relationships to position Iowa as a destination for global food and ag innovation.

Conocimientos

Executive leadership

Strategic thinking

Fundraising

Partnership building

Communication

Educación

Bachelor's degree

Descripción del empleo

America’s Cultivation Corridor is a public-private partnership working to strengthen Iowa’s position as a global leader in food, agriculture, bioscience, and technology. The Corridor connects industry, higher education, government and economic development leaders with entrepreneurs and investors to advance innovation, attract investment and create opportunities for Iowa.

Through strategic partnerships, industry engagement and signature programs, the Corridor serves as a connector, convener and catalyst for Iowa’s food and agriculture ecosystem.

About America’s Cultivation Corridor

America’s Cultivation Corridor is a public-private partnership working to strengthen Iowa’s position as a global leader in food, agriculture, bioscience, and technology. The Corridor connects industry, higher education, government and economic development leaders with entrepreneurs and investors to advance innovation, attract investment and create opportunities for Iowa.

Through strategic partnerships, industry engagement and signature programs, the Corridor serves as a connector, convener and catalyst for Iowa’s food and agriculture ecosystem.

Position Summary

The Executive Director provides strategic leadership for America’s Cultivation Corridor and is responsible for advancing its mission, organizational strategy, financial sustainability and impact. Reporting to the Board of Investors and collaborating closely with the Executive Committee, the Executive Director leads the organization, staff and consultants while serving as a highly visible representative of Iowa’s food, agriculture and bioscience ecosystem.

The successful leader will build trusted relationships, identify opportunities, connect partners and turn strategy into measurable results.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Management
• Lead the Corridor’s strategy, priorities, programs and operations. Work with the Board of Investors and Executive Committee to establish goals, measure results and ensure strong governance and fiscal management.
• Industry & Business Development
• Build relationships with food, agriculture, bioscience and technology companies. Identify opportunities for investment, business growth and strategic partnerships to connect companies with Iowa resources and partners.
• Innovation & Entrepreneurship
• Strengthen connections among emerging companies, established industry, research institutions, producers and investors. Lead programs and partnerships that accelerate commercialization, technology adoption and entrepreneurial growth.
• Investor Development & Financial Sustainability
• Retain and grow the Corridor’s investor base, cultivate new investors and sponsors and clearly demonstrate the value and impact of engagement with the organization.
• Partnership & Ecosystem Development
• Build and maintain strong relationships across industry, higher education, government, economic development, commodity organizations and the entrepreneurial community. Convene partners around opportunities that advance Iowa’s food and agriculture economy.
• Communications & External Leadership
• Serve as a visible spokesperson for the Corridor and Iowa’s agricultural innovation ecosystem. Represent the organization at industry events, conferences and meetings and help elevate Iowa’s reputation nationally and globally.
• Global Engagement
• Develop relationships with international companies, governments and innovation organizations to position Iowa as a destination for companies seeking access to the U.S. food and agriculture marketplace.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will be an accomplished leader and relationship builder with experience working across business, agriculture, government, higher education, innovation or related sectors.

Candidates should demonstrate strong executive leadership, strategic thinking and communication skills; experience developing senior-level partnerships; an ability to generate financial support and organizational growth; and a track record of turning relationships and opportunities into measurable outcomes.

A bachelor’s degree and 10 years of professional leadership experience is required. Experience in agriculture, food, bioscience, technology, business development, innovation, economic development, higher education, government relations or a related field is preferred.

Domestic and international travel is required.

Location

This is a Des Moines and Ames-area position with regular work taking place at our downtown Des Moines and Ames offices. The role is not remote, and candidates should reside within commuting distance to downtown Des Moines to support regular in-person collaboration and engagement throughout the region.

Leadership Profile

The Executive Director should be an externally focused, relationship-driven leader who can move comfortably among corporate executives, entrepreneurs, university leaders, government officials, producers and investors.

Above all, the individual must be able to connect people and opportunities and translate those connections into investment, innovation, partnerships and growth for Iowa.