Director – Texas A&M Agriculture, Food, and Nutrition Evidence Center

Job Title

Director – Texas A&M Agriculture, Food, and Nutrition Evidence CenterAgency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Evidence Center

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Fort Worth, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Position Announcement

Director – Texas A&M Agriculture, Food, and Nutrition Evidence Center

About the Evidence Center & Collaboration Strengths: The Texas A&M Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Evidence Center conducts and publishes state-of-the-art research synthesis studies of different types (e.g., scoping reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, research gap analyses) important for understanding the impact of agriculture, food and nutrition, and natural resource policies on human, environmental, and economic health, and sustainability. These reports will be commissioned by U.S. and international policy and public health agencies and will strengthen science-informed decision-making aimed at lowering rates of malnutrition and diet-related chronic disease while ensuring heathy environments, economies, and sustainable agriculture. The Evidence Center will also drive the next generation of research synthesis methodologies that are rigorous and transparent and be a leading convener in gaining global consensus on standards of evidence, as well as promoting and strengthening public trust in science-informed policies and solutions.

Appointment and Location: The Director will have a 12-month appointment. To facilitate communication with leadership and staff, the position will be in Fort Worth, Texas.

Administrative Relationships: This position reports to the Director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research in College Station, Texas.

Position Description and Responsibilities:

Additionally, the director will:

Build and maintain national and international partnerships and collaborations to establish and promote the reputation of the Texas A&M Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Evidence Center as a global leader in providing high-quality, unbiased, and transparent evidence-based scientific reviews and analyses, including (but not limited to): 

• Serves as a key liaison to external constituents in the relevant evidence and policy arenas, including foundations and government, to build collaborations and identify community, domestic and international experts associated with a wide variety of relevant disciplines.
• Represents the Evidence Center to internal Texas A&M AgriLife and Texas A&M University faculty, including attracting faculty for committees and panels, and facilitating sustainable relationships with broader partners and stakeholders.
• Identifies collaborative opportunities with other evidence centers and institutions in the U.S. and globally and promote the Evidence Center as a leader researching and implementing new methodologies for unbiased, transparent, and objective evidence analysis and synthesis.
• Engaging AgriLife and Texas A&M University faculty and external academic and other technical experts to participate as partners and experts for guiding and authoring evidence reviews.
• Maintain a high level of scholarly activity at the Evidence Center through publications, presentations, and education programs.
• Serves as the public face of the Evidence Center
• Oversees the administration of the Texas A&M Agriculture, Food, and Nutrition Evidence Center, including (but not limited to):
• Assures development, implementation of, and adherence to policies and best practice guidelines for transparency, scientific integrity, and replication, including such areas as conflict-of-interest reporting, and documentation and reporting of funding sources and relationships.
• Plans to align resources with the Evidence Center’s mission and strategy.
• Provides oversight and leadership for the administrative management of the Evidence Center’s research and educational programs.
• Nurtures internal and external contacts and relationships for continued and expanded support of the Evidence Center’s programs.
• Represents the Texas A&M Agriculture, Food, and Nutrition Evidence Center on key national and international leadership committees, building sustainable relationships with the relevant advisory boards, municipal, community, domestic and international experts associated with the Agri-Food-Health system.
• Develops a comprehensive scientific and stakeholder engagement program to achieve the mission, vision, and strategic priorities of the Evidence Center, including establishing programmatic priorities, and identifying funding sources for their implementation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Evidence Center Director Qualifications

Required Education & Experience: 

• Graduate degree (e.g., M.S., MPH, MBA, etc.) in a relevant field.
• Recognized national leader in scientific evidence assessment in agriculture, environmental sciences, economics, food, nutrition, and/or health.
• At least 10 years of experience in a leadership role for a large research organization, including managing budgets and personnel.

Preferred Education/Experience:

• A terminal degree (e.g., Ph.D., M.D., etc.) in a relevant field.
• Experience as an administrative leader at an institution of higher education.
• Broad understanding of, and experience with, the land grant university system.
• Proven track record of building coalitions and consensus among stakeholders with various interests, as well as engaging stakeholder and funding agencies and organizations.
• Strong English written and verbal communications skills.
• Demonstrated excellence in effective strategic planning and implementation of strategic initiatives.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships.
• Demonstrated experience navigating conflicting interests to achieve accepted practices among groups (e.g., stakeholders; trade associations; county, councils of government; boards; state and/or federal agencies; non-governmental organizations, etc.).

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent English oral, written, and electronic communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff, administration, and stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multidisciplinary and interagency teams, while assuring communication flows among groups and members.
• Ability to utilize leadership skills to inspire Evidence Center employees, manage teams, and invest in individual success of staff members.
• Knowledge of fundraising, where development ideas advance the goals of the Evidence Center.
• Ability to coordinate with broad-based partners and stakeholders to address water challenges statewide, nationally, and internationally.
• Ability to work with and appear before legislative and regulatory bodies as a trusted source of expert knowledge; and
• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.

Texas A&M AgriLife Research

Texas A&M AgriLife Research is the leading research and technology-development agency in Texas for agriculture, natural resources, and the life sciences. Our discoveries yield economic, environmental, and health benefits that are key to our state’s success and vital to the lives of its citizens. With 13 research centers throughout the state, AgriLife Research is dedicated to research that improves the Texas economy and lives of local and statewide stakeholders through research across the whole agricultural value chain.

Application Instructions

An application should contain:

1) a cover letter which outlines the candidate’s vision for the position (no more than 2 pages)

2) a current resume or curriculum vitae

3) contact information for three references.

Review of applications will begin, Fall 2024 and will continue until the position is filled. 

Questions?

Dr. Diane M. Fennig

Senior Consultant

Gallagher Executive Search and Leadership Advisors

Diane_Fennig@ajg.com

Tel. 678-234-1196

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.

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