Associate Director of Extension Programs

The Associate Director of Extension Programs serves as a senior faculty leader within K-State Extension, providing strategic, programmatic, fiscal, and organizational leadership for Extension’s statewide educational mission. Reporting directly to the Assistant Vice President – Director for Extension, this position leads the development and implementation of strategic priorities, ensures alignment of programs and resources with organizational goals, and advances Extension’s impact across Kansas communities.

The role provides oversight for Extension’s statewide program portfolio, including agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, community vitality, youth development, and emerging program areas. The position oversees assigned budgets and resources, ensuring responsible stewardship of public and external funds and data-informed decision-making.

The Associate Director serves as a systems-level leader responsible for advancing the relevance, quality, impact, and long-term sustainability of Extension programming across Kansas. The position identifies emerging statewide needs; develops cross-program and transdisciplinary priorities; leads strategic and grant-funded initiatives; builds accountability and evaluation structures; and cultivates partnerships with federal agencies, foundations, industry, community organizations, and university collaborators, and resources necessary for Extension to address complex community and statewide challenges.

The position also serves as a senior representative of K-State Extension, strengthening relationships with stakeholders, policymakers, educational partners, and Cooperative Extension systems nationwide.

The Associate Director works closely with Extension administration, program leaders, faculty, specialists, educators, academic and administrative partners, state and federal agencies, community organizations, and external stakeholders to ensure Extension programming remains research-based, responsive, outcomes-focused, and aligned with Kansas State University’s land‑grant mission.

This is a 1.0 FTE, tenure or non-tenure faculty appointment.

K-State Extension improves Kansans' lives, livelihoods and communities through education, research, engagement and leadership. With scientists, educators and volunteers in each of the state's 105 counties, our professionals strive to make the university's research and scientific accomplishments accessible and relevant to every household.

This position is On-site
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• Earned Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience in a complex organization.
• Proven ability to translate strategic vision into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.
• Experience in strategic planning, program development, evaluation, budget management, and fiscal accountability.
• Demonstrated strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and stakeholder communication skills
• Understanding of Extension audiences, communities, and needs served by Extension and commitment to research-based educational programming that addresses the needs of Kansas communities.
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout Kansas and nationally as needed, including occasional evening and weekend commitments.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

The degree requirement is necessary for accreditation purposes and to ensure candidates possess the specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities that can only be attained through a formal educational program at this level.

• Five or more years of professional Cooperative Extension experience with…