Director of Operations - Northwest Research and Outreach Center (Crookston, MN)

Position Overview:
The Director of Operations is responsible for leading NWROC's strategic direction and providing administrative leadership to achieve operational excellence and financial sustainability. As the primary point of accountability for infrastructure leadership, the Director plays a key role in aligning physical resources with the Center's strategic mission. The Director works in close
collaboration with a highly experienced team of faculty, supervisors, administrators, researchers, and labor-represented staff. In addition to overall leadership and management duties, responsibilities include oversight of capital improvements, maintenance, and space planning.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Operations and Administrative Management (35%)
* Analyze programmatic needs and develop implementation plans to support research, production, education, outreach, land stewardship, and faculty support requirements.
* Coordinate and facilitate Advisory Committee meetings, supporting long-term goal setting and stakeholder engagement.
* Develop, implement, and enforce policies and processes related to fiscal management, grants, human resources, communications, and safety.
* Lead strategic planning and implementation of research, education, and outreach activities.
* Manage internal and external communications.
* Promote effective collaboration and relationships while representing NWROC in CFANS system-wide meetings and with external partners, industry collaborators, the wider community, and local educational entities.
* Provide reports and strategic analysis to collegiate leadership and research faculty upon request.
* Facilitate high participation rate to institution-wide employee surveys and follow-up on results appropriately to address findings and facilitate continuous improvement.
* Train supervisors on first-level conflict management, performance management, problem-solving within the department, and utilizing University resources where necessary.
* Oversee facility operations to ensure operations are strategically managed to support long-term infrastructure needs and maintain a safe, functional, and accessible campus environment.
* Oversee infrastructure investments with NWROC's research, outreach, and operational goals through collaboration with Collegiate and University stakeholders.
* Ensure compliance with all applicable University policies, state and federal regulations, and safety standards.

Land Stewardship (30%)
* Manage the Magnusson Research Farm (located one hour north of NWROC, near Roseau, MN) and build/maintain relationships with the local community and various groups related to turf, forage, and covercrops.
* Provide strategic leadership and oversight of small plot research and rotational acreage to ensure management practices support research integrity, efficiency and fiscal responsibility
* Work with stakeholders and the UMN Real Estate Office to facilitate space and land contracts and agreements
* Oversee development and implementation for all of NWROCs land management stewardship for research and rotational acres, including compliance with Farm Service Agency (FSA) certification, crop insurance, government programs, and recordkeeping requirements.
Public engagement and outreach (15%)
* Serve as liaison with University partners co-located in Crookston, in particular University of Minnesota Crookston and University of Minnesota Extension
* Serve as liaison with partners for Magnusson Research Farm - both in the local community and within the University community
* Conduct tours, attend local community meetings, represent the Center at commodity group and stakeholder events, and promote good relations on behalf of the NWROC, including events associated with the Magnusson Research Farm

Staff Management (10%)
* Foster collaboration among unit supervisors to ensure cross-functional efficiency, strategic alignment, and continuous improvement.
* Initiate and implement efforts to maintain a harmonious and productive work environment to encourage employee engagement; ensure supervisors are managing performance expectations; provide professional development opportunities.
* Manage faculty, staff, and student appointment adjustments/shifts and compliance reporting.
* Manage all hiring processes and make final hiring decisions.
* Oversee implementation of employee safety protocol and training.
* Serve as the Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Officer for the NWROC.
* Supervise full- and part-time personnel through the full employee life cycle.
* Ensure compliance with all applicable University policies, state and federal regulations, and safety standards across all phases of project planning and execution.

Fiscal Management (10%)
* Collaborate with CFANS Finance and Human Resources to oversee and review payroll, budgets, HRMS, and departmental records to ensure data accuracy and confidentiality
on a regular basis.
* Manage financial planning, expenditure decisions and allocation of financial resources ensuring financial activities are performed in compliance with relevant regulations, policies, and law.
* Oversee financial operations and preparation of fiscal year departmental and other administrative budgets, including expenditure and income forecasting, and long-range fiscal planning to ensure fiscal responsibility.
* Oversee earned revenue and ICR generated through research activities initiated at the NWROC and to ensure overall support to project and budget objectives.

Required Qualifications
* BA/BS degree with at least 6 years of relevant experience.
* Demonstrated ability to manage operations, budgets, personnel, and strategic initiatives in a complex organization.
* Experience in a supervisory role and leading interdisciplinary teams.
Preferred Qualifications
* Advanced or terminal degree with at least 6 years of experience.
* Demonstrated effective written and verbal communication skills.
* Experience and skill with Microsoft and Google suites.
* Experience in agricultural research, operations management, land stewardship, or research administration.
* Experience managing cross-functional projects.
* Familiarity with University of Minnesota systems or similar higher education settings.
* Strong leadership, project management, and problem-solving skills.

The Northwest Research and Outreach Center (NWROC) in Crookston, Minnesota is one of 10 research and outreach centers in the University of Minnesota's College of Food, Agricultural and Resource Sciences (CFANS). The NWROC, located adjacent to the University of Minnesota's Crookston campus, includes approximately 1,800 acres of land and provides analytical, biological and field laboratories to U of M faculty, staff and students to conduct research and demonstrations to enhance the efficient use of agriculture and natural resources in northwest Minnesota. Program areas at NWROC include nutrient and water management, entomology, plant breeding, sugar beets, and small grains.

Pay Range: $86,000 - $90,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC)

With a strong tradition of technology-enhanced teaching and learning, the University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) serves as the U's major outpost in Northwest Minnesota. UMC provides both experiential, career-oriented degree programs as well as high-quality online programs, while connecting its teaching, research, and outreach to rural economic development and service to the region and beyond.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).