Executive Director, Food & Agriculture Innovation

University of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Minnesota, through the Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship at the Carlson School of Management, seeks a senior leader to independently develop, deliver, and measure Naturally MN. This role secures resources, builds executive relationships, and promotes Minnesota as a national hub for food, agriculture, and CPG innovation.

Responsibilities include relationship building, university engagement, program expansion, sustainable funding, and national marketing.

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree required with 8+ years of experience in the food/agriculture sector or related field.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and scale programs and/or organizational initiatives.
• Strong project management capabilities with track record of delivering results.
• Strategic communication skills and experience engaging diverse stakeholders.
• Experience developing executive-level partnerships with corporations, foundations, and public sector.

Responsibilities

• Develop relationships with industry leaders across food/agriculture/beverage segments to advance Naturally MN.
• Serve as primary liaison to entrepreneurs, executives, and investors to identify needs and opportunities.
• Engage senior university leadership (deans, chairs, directors) to align programming with university assets.
• Lead program development, sponsorships, grants, and endowments to ensure sustainability.
• Create and measure impact metrics; report on grants and program outcomes.
• Lead marketing and external communications for Naturally MN and related events.
• Oversee staff and interns; implement scalable processes linking entrepreneurs to resources.

Skills

Leadership

Program management

Strategic communication

Fundraising / development

Partnership building

Community engagement

Education

BA/BS degree

Job description

The University of Minnesota, through the Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship at the Carlson School of Management, seeks a senior leader to independently develop, deliver, and measure Naturally MN. This role secures resources, builds executive relationships, and promotes Minnesota as a national hub for food, agriculture, and CPG innovation.

Responsibilities include relationship building, university engagement, program expansion, sustainable funding, and national marketing.