OBJECTIVE: The RCFI Research Agronomy Lead is responsible for leading a team of Research Agronomists and working with university researchers, industry representatives, ag retail, and farmers across Iowa to execute agronomic research that is critically important to Iowa farmers’ ability to increase profitability, productivity, and sustainability. Leadership, project management, relationship-building, and agronomy are key metrics of success in this role. This position reports to the Director of Research. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Lead Research Agronomy Team to achieve organizational and development goals by:
    • Empowering team members to improve their technical prowess, confidence, product knowledge, communication skills, and support through coaching, identifying and developing valuable technical training and professional development opportunities
    • Delivering research programs that serve all Iowa farmers focused on increased productivity and profitability while increasing the successful adoption of conservation practices
    • Managing the day-to-day activities of the RCFI Research Agronomy team members
    • Responsibly provide fiscal oversight for RCFI Research Agronomy projects and programs
    • Assist team in development and implementation of operational procedures, data management procedures, and other tools to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and reliability.
  • Develop work plans, budgets, quarterly and annual reports, and support grant writing in collaboration with RCFI program leads (Conservation Program, Conservation Agronomy, and Analytics & Insights)
  • Assist in liaising with farmers, partners, funders, and collaborators to ensure ISA is engaged and active in conversations and activities important to Iowa agriculture.
  • Assist team in design and implementation of an engagement and communication strategy to increase farmer participation promoting the value of research programs and increase the effective dissemination of project results
  • Conduct education and outreach to various audiences including farmers, non-farmers, and stakeholders
  • Coordinate with other ISA departments and staff embracing the culture of ISA and emulate that to the team

COMPETENCIES

  • Leadership
  • Team and relationship building
  • Communicate effectively
  • Practical understanding and application of agronomy, especially field and/or on-farm research
  • Prioritizing and execution of work
  • Fiscal responsibility
  • Demonstrate initiative
  • Act as a champion of change
  • Exceptional customer service
  • Evaluating and implementing ideas

TRAVEL

  • This position requires occasional travel throughout the state, occasionally may require an overnight stay.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

  • This position has current and future supervisory responsibility. Some supervision for intern or temporary employees may be required.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

  • Bachelor’s degree in agribusiness, agronomy, environmental sciences, agricultural engineering, biological sciences, ecology, or related field
  • 3-5 years of experience working in agronomy ag retail sales, conservation, consultant sales with people leadership experience
  • Strong understanding of:
    • Agricultural industry and the ag retail system
    • Strong technical knowledge of soybean cropping systems and agronomy
    • Field and/or on-farm research
    • Project management
  • Demonstration of experience and/or aptitude for individual and team leadership
  • Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with diverse technical and non-technical audiences

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

  • Master’s or PhD degree in agribusiness, agronomy, environmental sciences, agricultural engineering, biological sciences, ecology, or related field
  • Experience in conservation agriculture practices
  • 5-7 years of professional working experience leading diverse cross functional teams in an agricultural sales or consulting organization
  • Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) certification

BENEFITS

  • Medical, Dental and Vision insurance
  • Flexible Spending Account available
  • Cellphone and Wellness reimbursement
  • Fitness center
  • 401(k) with generous company match
  • Tuition reimbursement program
  • Dress for your Day Dress Code 
Accessibility: If you need an accommodation as part of the employment process please contact Human Resources 

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veterans.

 

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