Center Director and Professor - Southwest Florida Research and Education Center; SWFREC

Center Director and Professor - Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC)

Job No: 540255

Work Type:
Full Time

Location:

Collier

Categories:
Biology/Life Science, Executive/Director/Management, Agricultural Sciences

Department:  - AG-SWFREC-IMMOKALEE

The Center Director serves as the administrative head of the University of Florida/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC) located in Immokalee, FL. The Director provides strategic leadership and support for the integrated teaching, research, and Extension programs developed by faculty that address the essential needs of stakeholders, including agriculture, natural resource conservation, and the environment. The Director is responsible for developing, promoting and overseeing proactive programs that address current and emerging issues affecting agricultural, natural resource, and urban communities.

• Provide strategic vision and leadership to advance interdisciplinary, high-impact programs conducted by SWFREC faculty, staff, and students.
• Manage the Center’s financial, personnel and physical resources, including laboratories, field research infrastructure, and associated facilities; establish priorities and implement short- and long-term goals related to programs, personnel and capital investments.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performing environment, overseeing faculty development, mentoring, performance evaluation, and programmatic activities; coordinate promotion and tenure processes in consultation with department chairs.
• Serve as the primary representative of UF/IFAS, building and sustaining productive relationships with county, state and federal agencies, commodity organizations, regulatory agencies, agricultural and natural resource associations, and private-sector partners.
• Develop, implement and continually advance a strategic vision that enhances SWFREC’s impact at local, regional and statewide levels, in collaboration with stakeholders and UF/IFAS leaders.

• A Ph.D. (or foreign equivalent) in a discipline relevant to agriculture, environmental horticulture, natural resources, or a closely related field.
• Distinguished record of scholarship and academic achievement consistent with appointment at the rank of full professor.
• Proven excellence in research and teaching, and experience in Extension or stakeholder-engaged programming that translates scientific knowledge into practical applications.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including mentorship and supervision of faculty, staff and students, and fostering a high-performing organizational environment.
• Strong administrative, organizational, communication and interpersonal skills; ability to manage complex programs and make effective decisions.
• History of securing extramural funding from competitive sources, such as commodity and industry groups and governmental agencies like USDA.
• Clear commitment to the mission of the land-grant system, including integration of research, teaching and Extension.

A nationally recognized, stakeholder-engaged scientist with proven leadership in managing complex research and Extension programs, capable of advancing the land-grant mission through strategic vision, partnerships and operational excellence.

Commensurate with education and experience.

Full consideration will be granted to candidates who submit materials by August 2, 2026. The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.