Director of Research & Innovation

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Overview

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Managing Director of Programs and serving as a member of WNC's Program Leadership Team and Management Team, the Director of Research & Innovation is a leadership role responsible for developing and overseeing all work conducted as part of WNC's Research & Innovation program area — one of three primary program areas that is newest to the organization and actively being developed.

Oversight of this area of programming includes

• All projects and partnerships related to the development and use of soil health indicators and models as part of the expanding Northeast Farmers Fund practice implementation work;
• Supporting WNC's Research Scientist who leads and coordinates all research initiatives conducted on site at Wolfe's Neck Center;
• Developing and overseeing project work and convenings to develop an agricultural framework for Measurement, Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MMRV) that maintains data integrity and accuracy, supports the viability of agricultural operations of all scales, and enables better coordination and risk reduction;
• Supporting staff in overseeing partnerships and facilitated conversations to advance the development of data systems and technologies that make data collection, sharing and analysis easier for farmers so they can understand the impacts of their practices and take advantage of market incentives and premiums that support farmer viability.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of Research & Innovation programming, including:
• Maintaining agricultural data systems and technology development project timelines and deliverables, ensuring that work is completed on time, within budget, and according to project specifications;
• Leading and participating in initiatives related to the development of an agricultural framework for MMRV that maintains data integrity and accuracy, supports the viability of agricultural operations of all scales, and reduces risk;
• In coordination with the Senior Manager for Marketplace Development, overseeing staff and technical assistance providers who deliver support to farmers in the Northeast with conservation practice adoption, soil analysis services and related environmental assessments;
• Supporting the Research Scientist who leads and coordinates all on-site research projects in accordance with an established organizational research agenda;
• Providing overall management of relevant program budgets;
• Working with the Managing Director of Programs and Research & Innovation staff to identify and elevate potential connections across projects and with other areas of WNC programming;
• Ensuring comprehensive partner relationship management and communication, serving as a principal point of contact for partners and subawardees engaged across projects to support holistic relationship development.
• Supervise Research & Innovation program staff, including implementing meetings and processes to support the team’s function.
• Develop and implement new areas of Research & Innovation programming, including:
• Identifying and engaging relevant subject matter expertise and potential partners to advance new work;
• Identifying new funding sources to support sustained funding for core operations and relevant projects;
• Collaborating with the Advancement Team, Operations and Finance, Managing Director of Programs, and other staff to support funding proposals and reporting.
• Represent Wolfe's Neck Center at relevant conferences and gatherings as a panelist and speaker.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in agriculture science, agroecology, ecology, plant science, soil science, environmental science, or related field.
• 6-10 years of relevant experience with agricultural research and/or data systems and technology development.
• Working knowledge of agriculture and crop/soil interactions, with a preference for livestock and grazing-based farm operation — could be achieved through a combination of on-farm experience, farm-based research, or technical assistance.
• Strong collaborative project management, prioritization, and planning skills, with…