Executive Director, Daugherty Water for Food Institute

Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 43,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Le Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute à l'Université du Nebraska cherche un Directeur Exécutif visionnaire pour diriger ses missions de recherche, d'éducation et de politique. Le candidat idéal aura une expertise en gestion des ressources en eau, des compétences en communication et en leadership, et saura établir des partenariats efficaces. Ce poste de direction offre l'opportunité de faire une différence significative dans la sécurité alimentaire mondiale tout en travaillant avec une équipe dynamique.

Qualifications

• Accomplissements appropriés pour un poste professoral dans une unité académique.
• Expertise scientifique dans le domaine de l'eau et de l'agriculture.
• Succès dans l'obtention de subventions et contrats.

Responsibilities

• Diriger l'institut, fournir direction stratégique et supervision.
• Développer et entretenir des partenariats locaux, nationaux et internationaux.
• Gérer une équipe de direction et des budgets complexes.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Strategic Planning

Collaboration

Fundraising

Education

Ph.D. in academic field within IANR

Job description

Executive Director, Daugherty Water for Food Institute

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Director of Communications and Public Relations at Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska

The University of Nebraska seeks a dynamic and visionary leader for the position of Executive Director of the Daugherty Water for Food Institute (DWFI). As an Institute of the University of Nebraska, DWFI is engaged in research, academic programs, and outreach programming that involve all the University’s campuses.

DWFI is a research, education, and policy institute of the University of Nebraska committed to helping the world efficiently use its limited freshwater resources to ensure the food supply for current and future generations. Founded in 2010 to address the global challenge of achieving food security with less pressure on water resources through improved management of water in agricultural and food systems, DWFI was launched with the announcement of a $50 million gift from the Robert B. Daugherty Charitable Foundation, one of the largest gifts in the University of Nebraska’s history. The founder of Valmont Industries in Omaha, Mr. Daugherty had a deep commitment to the efficient and sustainable use of water to feed a growing world population.

The Executive Director has the unique and exciting opportunity to lead a premier research, education, and policy analysis institute that has global impact. The Executive Director provides leadership, strategic direction, and oversight for the Institute’s three primary missions of research, education, and policy (including Extension/outreach) with the goal of achieving lasting and significant impact on achieving food security with less pressure on water resources. The Executive Director’s primary charge is to continue to build DWFI as a global leader in the international water and food communities by developing and nurturing local, national, and international partnerships with the public and private sectors, pursuing collaborative opportunities, demonstrating achievement of results, and ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of the Institute.

The Executive Director oversees a core leadership team that includes a Director of Research, Director of Policy, Director of the Nebraska Water Center, Director of Water Climate and Health program, Director of Public Relations and Communications, an Associate Director, and an Assistant Director in addition to the Institute’s Faculty Fellows, post-doctoral fellows, graduate, and undergraduate students. The Executive Director reports to the NU Vice President and IANR Harlan Vice Chancellor.

The University seeks a leader with vision, scientific expertise, and administrative experience to promote DWFI as a global leader in water for agriculture. The Executive Director will be a passionate advocate for the Institute who brings ideas, positive energy, and the motivation to work with others to find solutions to a looming crisis. The Executive Director will embrace the importance of the Institute’s mission and its focus on high quality research with practical applications that are accessible to the world community. The Executive Director must have outstanding credentials that bridge water and agriculture research, broad international experience and connectivity, strong fund-raising skills, and an impressive record of collaboration inside and outside the academy.

This is a 100% administrative appointment that will be located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The executive director will be appointed to a five-year renewable term, subject to satisfactory annual reviews and a formal reappointment process.

UNL offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, commensurate with the successful candidate’s background and experience.

As an EO/AA employer, the University of Nebraska considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation. See https://equity.unl.edu/notice-nondiscrimination/.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Accomplishments commensurate with a faculty appointment in an academic unit within IANR.
• Broad intellectual interests that span the domains of science, engineering, and policy; and an integrative approach that recognizes the interconnection of these domains in the water for food arena and the embedded role of agriculture in the larger context of sustainability of ecosystems.
• Success in establishing a vision and motivating others to work toward achievement of that vision.
• Evidence of being a persuasive communicator, both verbally and in writing, who can work effectively with people from diverse groups and disciplines, including faculty, staff, and students, leaders from industry, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations with international representation.
• Success in obtaining grants and contracts from governmental agencies, private foundations, donors and other sources.
• Ability to build partnerships and foster collaboration among diverse groups.
• Excellent leadership and management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex budgets and to strategically deploy resources in a way that maximizes impact.
• A strong level of comfort working within both the global and local (Nebraska/High Plains) contexts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in an academic field within IANR.
• Evidence of navigating complex situations and making strategic decisions.
• Demonstrated encouragement and/or development of innovative and entrepreneurial activities, including an acumen in identifying targets of opportunity, creating and implementing new initiatives, and fostering an entrepreneurial and innovation mind-set in others.
• Demonstrated ability to actively understand and respect the perspectives and values of students, staff, faculty, and stakeholders.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted on the University of Nebraska employment website only: https://employment.unl.edu/postings/97029 Complete the faculty information form, and attach the following documents:

• A letter of interest that describes your qualifications for the position, anticipated contributions, and vision for DWFI.
• A statement describing your experience working in teams or groups and your anticipated contributions to environments in which every person and every interaction matters (2 page maximum).
• The names and contact information for five (5) professional references.

References will be requested only from candidates who make the short list. All candidate information will be held in confidence until the final stage of the search, at which time the express permission of finalists will be obtained before making their candidacy public. Candidates are urged to review all information and documents posted on the search web site.

Application Review Date

To ensure consideration, please submit all application materials before review date of 07/21/2025.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Executive

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Business Development and Sales

• Industries

  Higher Education

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