Job Description

The Regional Coordinator (Director) of North Central SARE provides support to organizational personnel, develops positive external relationships, oversees budget and budgeting process, leads management of administrative and outreach activities, and facilitates strategic planning about programs, policies, and procedures. 

The North Central SARE Regional Coordinator (Director) is preferred to be a 12-month, 1.0 FTE position. The position is located on the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota. Remote work may be possible following U of Mâ™s remote work policy, and is contingent on the candidate needs and U of M requirements.

The North Central SARE Regional Coordinator (Director) may hold an adjunct faculty appointment at a rank appropriate to the candidateâ™s background and experience in a department aligned with their scholarship. 

Responsibilities

• Support the NCR SARE staff team. Accountable for the supervision of staff, support the development of all staff, and foster a culture of shared leadership, continuous improvement, and professional fulfillment.   
• Communicate and collaborate with the Administrative Council (AC), NIFA SARE Director, CFANS administration and staff to support SAREâ™s goals, identify and address challenges, and document accomplishments.
• Provide strategic leadership in grant-making. Provide leadership through supporting the Associate Director and staff in grant-making operations, including the development and implementation of the application, review, award, reporting, and evaluation processes.
• Support NCR SAREâ™s continued efforts to address diversity, equity, inclusion and justice throughout our organizational culture, operations, programs, and relationships.
• Assure organization-wide understanding of roles and responsibilities; facilitate development and implementation of improvements in processes and policies when needed; lead new recruitment/orientation, guidance, and support for AC members.
• Engage in relationship-building to strengthen connections with SAREâ™s stakeholders throughout the North Central Region. Stay informed and connected to the portfolio of research, education, and innovation in sustainable agriculture throughout the North Central Region.
• Represent NCR SARE to other SARE regions, NIFA, U of M, and to a wide range of regional and national organizations that engage with, or could engage with, SARE programs. Ensure ongoing communication throughout the region, and nationally, about our programs, contributions, challenges, and lessons learned. Ensure transparency and accountability with stakeholders. 
• Develop and manage contracts and agreements between NIFA and U of M by preparing funding applications, leading the oversight of awards, and working with staff to assure effective financial management, analysis of results, submission of reports, and compliance with USDA-NIFA and U of M policies.
• Advise and support contracts and relationships with the Professional Development Program staff, ensuring strong and positive collaboration with their work and the work of SARE State Coordinators.

Required Qualifications

• Masterâ™s degree in a field related to SAREâ™s mission. 
• Five years of program leadership experience, including budget and personnel management.
• Experience conducting applied research and/or extension and outreach projects related to sustainable agriculture.
• Experience building, leading and/or sustaining diverse collaborative projects.
• Experience writing and reviewing grant proposals, and/or managing grant funding.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. 
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion including the ability to work respectfully and effectively with individuals with diverse identities and underrepresented groups.
• Experience utilizing a diverse range of technologies (Google Suite, Zoom).

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. or other terminal professional degree in a field related to SAREâ™s mission. 
• Experience and proficiency with spreadsheet, word processing, database, and other software.  
• Commitment to positively engage a wide range of stakeholders with a diversity of perspectives.
• Experience working with a hybrid/remote team.
• Experience applying and interpreting applicable institutional, local, state, and federal regulations, and related standards, guidelines, and policies. 
• Demonstrated capacity to develop and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues, partners and various stakeholders. 

This position requires frequent travel among worksites including travel to offsite locations throughout the North Central Region. Occasional travel, nationally, will also be required. 

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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