Director, Agriculture Workforce, Industry and Innovation Center (AgWIIC)

Position Information

Director

Agriculture Workforce, Industry and Innovation Center (AgWIIC)

Full-Time Position

Position Summary

The AgWIIC Director serves as the lead strategist and implementation leader for the Agriculture Workforce, Industry and Innovation Center (AgWIIC), a statewide initiative to strengthen North Dakota's agricultural workforce ecosystem. AgWIIC's mission is to advance a community-centered AgTech workforce system that aligns partners and leverages data, partnerships, and funding to accelerate North Dakota's agricultural economy.

This position provides overall leadership for advancing a coordinated, scalable, and data-informed workforce system across North Dakota. The Director is responsible for guiding strategy into action-aligning statewide partners, overseeing workforce initiatives, and building the infrastructure needed to support long-term workforce development and innovation.

Working in close collaboration with the AgWIIC team, NDSU Extension, university leadership, and statewide partners, the Director leads the development of a distributed workforce model that connects communities, industry, education, and government. The role also serves as the primary liaison to the NSF AgTech Engine, ensuring alignment, accountability, and impact across workforce priorities.

The position reports to the Extension Associate Director and works in partnership with the AgWIIC Advisory Board, NSF AgTech Engine Operations Team, and key state and regional stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Organizational Management

• Provide overall leadership for the AgWIIC mission, strategy, and statewide workforce initiatives.
• Translate strategic priorities into coordinated implementation plans, ensuring alignment with NSF Ag Tech Engine goals and state workforce needs.
• Establish and maintain governance structures, operational systems, and organizational processes that support long-term sustainability.
• Lead and supervise AgWIIC staff, fostering a collaborative, high-performing team environment.
• Oversee programmatic and financial management of the workforce portfolio, including staffing, contracts, and reporting.

Partnership and Ecosystem Development

• Serve as a statewide convener connecting industry, education, Tribal entities, workforce agencies, and economic development partners.
• Build and sustain cross-sector partnerships that strengthen workforce pipelines and AgTech adoption.
• Collaborate with NDSU Extension, higher education, and community partners to ensure coordinated program delivery and statewide reach.
• Support engagement with Tribal Colleges and communities to advance inclusive workforce strategies.

Workforce Program Development and Implementation

• Lead implementation of demand-driven workforce initiatives that expand career pathways in agriculture and agricultural technology.
• Guide development of work-based learning opportunities, including internships, apprenticeships, and credential programs.
• Align workforce programming across K-12, higher education, and training providers to strengthen talent pipelines.
• Support youth career awareness and workforce readiness efforts connected to industry needs.

Funding Strategy and Sustainability

• Lead development and execution of a long-term sustainability and fundraising strategy for AgWIIC.
• Oversee administration of workforce funding initiatives, including community-based projects and partner investments.
• Cultivate partnerships and pursue external funding opportunities to expand and sustain workforce efforts.
• Align resources across partners to maximize statewide impact and efficiency.

Workforce Data, Evaluation, and Insights

• Guide development of statewide workforce data strategies to support informed decision-making and policy alignment.
• Oversee development of the Agriculture Workforce Report and related workforce insights.
• Support creation of metrics, dashboards, and evaluation frameworks to track progress and outcomes.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement through data-informed planning and reporting.

Organizational Engagement and Leadership

• Serve as an active leader within the AgWIIC and NDSU Extension system, contributing to broader workforce and community development efforts.
• Engage with stakeholders, advisory groups, and leadership teams to ensure transparency, alignment, and impact.
• Represent AgWIIC at state, regional, and national levels to elevate North Dakota's workforce innovation efforts.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in agriculture, workforce development, economic development, education, public administration, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex initiatives, programs, or organizations.
• Experience building and sustaining partnerships across multiple sectors.
• Strong skills in strategic planning, program management, and organizational leadership.
• Experience working with collaborative, multi-stakeholder initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a related field
• Experience with statewide workforce initiatives, innovation ecosystems, or public-private partnerships.
• Knowledge of agricultural systems, AgTech, and workforce challenges.
• Experience managing grant-funded programs and funding portfolios.
• Experience using data and evaluation to guide strategy and decision-making.
• Experience with North Dakota agriculture.

Position Expectations

• Travel statewide, including overnight stays, is required.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and extended hours to support partner engagement.
• Ability to lead in a dynamic, evolving environment with multiple priorities.
• Perform additional duties in support of AgWIIC and Extension programming.

Applicant Materials Required

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Three professional references

Salary is negotiable. Pay is based on several factors, including budget, labor market, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and/or certification and other business considerations.

Screening will begin 6/24/26

Our commitment to caring for our employees isn't just words-it's proven. In NDSU's most recent Gallup Engagement Survey, our strengths centered on care and development. "My supervisor, or someone at work, cares about me as a person" and "I have the opportunities to learn and grow", were noted as top drivers. This reflects the culture you'll experience here.

NDSU OFFERS OUTSTANDING BENEFITS!

Join a workplace that invests in your well-being, your future, and your success.

Full-time employees are eligible for the following benefits:

Health & Wellness

• 100% employer-paid health insurance premiums for single and family coverage
• Choice of PPO/Basic or High Deductible Health Plan with HSA
• Coverage begins the first of the month after your hire date
• Wellness incentives for healthy lifestyle participation

Exceptional Retirement Plan

• Employer retirement contributions ranging from 7.5% up to an impressive 12.26%, depending on position

(One of the strongest retirement packages in the region!) - Your future is a priority, and it shows.

Time Away & Support

• Generous annual leave, sick leave, and 10 paid holidays
• Employee Assistance Program for confidential support
• Supportive work-life balance

Education Benefits That Grow With You

• Tuition waivers for employees (up to three classes per calendar year)
• 50% tuition waiver for spouse/partner and dependents

Additional Optional Benefits

• Supplemental Life, Dental, Vision, Long-Term Care
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Health & Dependent Care)
• Supplemental Retirement Plans

Explore Full Benefit Details:

Benefits | Human Resources | NDSU

About Us:

North Dakota State University is distinctive as a student focused, land-grant, research university. We educate leaders who solve national and global challenges by providing affordable access to an excellent education that combines teaching and research in a rich learning environment.

NDSU is in the highest Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, R1, granted to the top research institutions in the country.

NDSU has offices across the state of North Dakota, and the main campus is in Fargo, on the Minnesota border. Along with Moorhead, Minnesota, Fargo forms one of the largest metropolitan centers between Minneapolis and Seattle. The community is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live.

NDSU is committed to fostering a community where differences are recognized as strengths. Rooted in our land-grant mission, we work together to meet the needs of North Dakota and its communities through education, research and outreach.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

NDSU does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of age, color, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, participation in lawful off-campus activity, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, public assistance status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, spousal relationship to current employee, or veteran status, as applicable. Direct inquiries to: Vice Provost, Title IX/ADA Coordinator, Old Main 201, NDSU Main Campus, Fargo, ND, 58108, 701-231-7708, ndsu.eoaa@ndsu.edu.

No Smoking Notice:

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10.

Veteran's Preference Notice:

This position is subject to North Dakota Veteran's Preference requirements.

Reasonable Accommodation Information:

North Dakota State University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, please contact Human Resources at 701-231-8961 or ndsu.hr@ndsu.edu.