OBJECTIVE: Provide innovative leadership for the conception, packaging, promotion, and pursuit of public and private funding partners to extend the soybean checkoff investments in on-farm research programming by the ISA Research Center for Farming Innovation (RCFI). RCFI on-farm research programs and implementation technical assistance efforts include integrated elements of agronomy, conservation and analytics that bring unique real world value and benefit to soybean farmers, academics, agencies, and the private sector for improving the profitability, productivity and sustainability of soybean cropping systems. . This position reports to the Senior Director of Research.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- As a member of the Research Leadership Team, this position will contribute to on-farm research and implementation strategic planning and program/project portfolio development
- Respond to on-going/renewal requests and new requests for proposals (RFPs) by effectively writing and submitting grant and contract research proposals to maintain and expand existing on-farm research and implementation program partnerships that leverage soybean checkoff investments with public and private support for short- and long-term in-field and edge-of-field RCFI work
- Utilize agronomic, conservation, and business development acumen to innovatively conceive, develop (write), communicate, and secure new and novel program funding opportunities with external public and private partners to support novel, integrated, and holistic on-farm research and implementation work
- Lead development of new partnerships and funding relationships for sustained non-checkoff investments in RCFI programs
- Monitor on-farm research and implementation projects, and liaison with public and private funders and collaborators
- Support flow of data, results, and information from and to funding partners, farmers, team members and collaborators to ensure transfer of research to technical assistance and implementation activities and the fulfillment of all grants and contracts deliverables and commitments
- Maintain knowledge of current agronomic research and conservation and cropping systems implementation work broadly to establish credibility and relevance for self and RCFI
COMPETENCIES
- Excellent technical writing skills, especially grant and contract research proposals
- Display creativity
- Establish and maintain strong professional relationships
- Think broadly
- Initiative to understand work challenges and opportunities, with follow-through in developing and championing solutions
- Provide both support and leadership
- Evaluate, articulate, and implement program development and funding ideas, strategies, and proposals
- Coordinate project funding opportunities
- Interact with people at different levels and across different organizations
TRAVEL
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- BS degree and 3 years of experience in agronomic and/or environmental science program development, grant and contract research proposal writing, program funding, and execution
- Business development acumen and experience
- Proven success in pursuing and securing public and/or private funding and partnerships for on-farm research or technical assistance
PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- BS or MS in agronomy, environmental science, or ag business, and at least 1 year of relevant work experience
BENEFITS
- Medical, Dental and Vision insurance
- Flexible Spending Account available
- Cellphone and Wellness reimbursement
- 401(k) with generous company match
- Tuition reimbursement program
- Dress for your Day Dress Code