The Executive Director will work closely with the YCEDA Advisory Council (comprised of seven leaders from both Salinas, California and Yuma, Arizona), 10 College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences academic unit heads, the ALVSCE Associate Vice President for Research, Associate Vice President and Director of UArizona Cooperative Extension, and Director of the Arizona Experiment Station to advance the division's contributions in meeting the challenges of 21st-century desert agriculture.

YCEDA is funded primarily through membership from its Advisory Council, and the position is contingent upon stakeholder funding. The center is action-oriented and focuses on all aspects of desert crop production. An over-arching aim is to provide research results and productivity to industry very quickly and to facilitate the growth of the strategic alliances which have formed this collaborative network. The Executive Director will be able to advocate for Yuma and other desert agriculture areas and be experienced in working between multiple research areas with diverse researchers using exceptional communication skills.

The Executive Director will report directly to the ALVSCE Vice President/CALES Dean and will work closely with the VP/Dean and the ALVSCE Advancement, Advocacy, Alumni Affairs, Corporate Relations and Development team to grow philanthropy and other non-agency funding.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; state and optional retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please .

Duties and Responsibilities:

* Provide leadership in addressing and responding to issues related to desert crop production.
* Facilitate strategic alliances within the desert agriculture industries that are important to Arizona and maintain the existing collaborative network.
* Identify and access leading scientists worldwide for state-of-the-art expertise.
* Build projects and opportunities for externally funded research in collaboration with CALES academic units and the Cooperative Extension System.
* Expand the reach of YCEDA and especially establish a tangible presence in the Salinas valley.
* Maintain the existing strong multimedia presence and build on it.
* Maintain, promote, and facilitate strategic alliances and relationships with stakeholders, legislative representatives, granting agencies, private enterprises, and other interested parties to share the vision and importance of desert agriculture.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

* Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
* Demonstrated ability to build strong and effective teams to solve specific issues and have the ability to deliver research outcomes to broad audiences.
* Demonstrated ability to communicate in the media.
* A strong expansion mindset in all areas, including new members

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum of 11 years of related work experience, including 7 years of managerial experience, preferably in large complex institutions or organizations, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Requires experience in leading multiple teams, projects, programs, and/or functions.
• Experience with Entrepreneurship.
• Demonstrated experience with implementation of wide range of cutting-edge technologies.
• Experience with proactively seeking and securing outside sources of funding from grant agencies, commercial contracting sources, foundations, and other areas.
• Demonstrated experience with a scientific aptitude in multiple crop production systems.
• Experience working in private industry with an understanding of how to work with an advisory council.
• Experience working with or in academic organizations.
• Experience with successful strategic planning and implementation, including the leadership ability to attract, motivate and retain outstanding talent.
• Experience working with a strong relevant national and international professional network.

• Master's preferred.
• Experience with promotion and marketing, using various forms of media, especially social media.
• Demonstrated experience with a focus on increasing productivity/acre in desert agriculture issues.
• Experience working with Cooperative Extension and non-Cooperative Extension personnel.