Director of Operations - Northwest Research and Outreach Center (Crookston, MN)
The Director of Operations is responsible for leading NWROC's strategic direction and providing administrative leadership to achieve operational excellence and financial sustainability. As the primary point of accountability for infrastructure leadership, the Director plays a key role in aligning physical resources with the Center's strategic mission. The Director works in close collaboration with a highly experienced team of faculty, supervisors, administrators, researchers, and labor-represented staff. In addition to overall leadership and management duties, responsibilities include oversight of capital improvements, maintenance, and space planning.
Operations and Administrative Management (35%)
- Analyze programmatic needs and develop implementation plans to support research, production, education, outreach, land stewardship, and faculty support requirements.
- Coordinate and facilitate Advisory Committee meetings, supporting long-term goal setting and stakeholder engagement.
- Develop, implement, and enforce policies and processes related to fiscal management, grants, human resources, communications, and safety.
- Lead strategic planning and implementation of research, education, and outreach activities.
- Manage internal and external communications.
- Promote effective collaboration and relationships while representing NWROC in CFANS system-wide meetings and with external partners, industry collaborators, the wider community, and local educational entities.
- Provide reports and strategic analysis to collegiate leadership and research faculty upon request.
- Facilitate high participation rate to institution-wide employee surveys and follow-up on results appropriately to address findings and facilitate continuous improvement.
- Train supervisors on first-level conflict management, performance management, problem-solving within the department, and utilizing University resources where necessary.
- Oversee facility operations to ensure operations are strategically managed to support long-term infrastructure needs and maintain a safe, functional, and accessible campus environment.
- Oversee infrastructure investments with NWROC's research, outreach, and operational goals through collaboration with Collegiate and University stakeholders.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable University policies, state and federal regulations, and safety standards.
Land Stewardship (30%)
Manage the Magnusson Research Farm (located one hour north of NWROC, near Roseau, MN) and build / maintain relationships with the local community and various groups related to turf, forage, and covercrops.Provide strategic leadership and oversight of small plot research and rotational acreage to ensure management practices support research integrity, efficiency and fiscal responsibility.Work with stakeholders and the UMN Real Estate Office to facilitate space and land contracts and agreements.Oversee development and implementation for all of NWROCs land management stewardship for research and rotational acres, including compliance with Farm Service Agency (FSA) certification, crop insurance, government programs, and recordkeeping requirements.Public Engagement and Outreach (15%)
Serve as liaison with University partners co-located in Crookston, in particular University of Minnesota Crookston and University of Minnesota Extension.Serve as liaison with partners for Magnusson Research Farm - both in the local community and within the University community.Conduct tours, attend local community meetings, represent the Center at commodity group and stakeholder events, and promote good relations on behalf of the NWROC, including events associated with the Magnusson Research FarmStaff Management (10%)
Foster collaboration among unit supervisors to ensure cross-functional efficiency, strategic alignment, and continuous improvement.Initiate and implement efforts to maintain a harmonious and productive work environment to encourage employee engagement; ensure supervisors are managing performance expectations; provide professional development opportunities.Manage faculty, staff, and student appointment adjustments / shifts and compliance reporting.Manage all hiring processes and make final hiring decisions.Oversee implementation of employee safety protocol and training.Serve as the Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action Officer for the NWROC.Supervise full- and part-time personnel through the full employee life cycle.Ensure compliance with all applicable University policies, state and federal regulations, and safety standards across all phases of project planning and execution.Fiscal Management (10%)
Collaborate with CFANS Finance and Human Resources to oversee and review payroll, budgets, HRMS, and departmental records to ensure data accuracy and confidentiality on a regular basis.Manage financial planning, expenditure decisions and allocation of financial resources ensuring financial activities are performed in compliance with relevant regulations, policies, and law.Oversee financial operations and preparation of fiscal year departmental and other administrative budgets, including expenditure and income forecasting, and long-range fiscal planning to ensure fiscal responsibility.Oversee earned revenue and ICR generated through research activities initiated at the NWROC and to ensure overall support to project and budget objectives.Qualifications Required Qualifications
BA / BS degree with at least 6 years of relevant experience.Demonstrated ability to manage operations, budgets, personnel, and strategic initiatives in a complex organization.Experience in a supervisory role and leading interdisciplinary teams.Preferred Qualifications
Advanced or terminal degree with at least 6 years of experience.Demonstrated effective written and verbal communication skills.Experience and skill with Microsoft and Google suites.Experience in agricultural research, operations management, land stewardship, or research administration.Experience managing cross-functional projects.Familiarity with University of Minnesota systems or similar higher education settings.Strong leadership, project management, and problem-solving skills.About the Department
The Northwest Research and Outreach Center (NWROC) in Crookston, Minnesota is one of 10 research and outreach centers in the University of Minnesota's College of Food, Agricultural and Resource Sciences (CFANS). The NWROC, located adjacent to the University of Minnesota's Crookston campus, includes approximately 1,800 acres of land and provides analytical, biological and field laboratories to U of M faculty, staff and students to conduct research and demonstrations to enhance the efficient use of agriculture and natural resources in northwest Minnesota. Program areas at NWROC...
