Director – Center for Agribusiness

Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) seeks a Director for the Center for Agribusiness, in the Lutgert College of Business (LCOB). The Center connects the university to Southwest Florida's agricultural sector and supports the region through applied research, industry engagement, the agribusiness minor, and related educational offerings.

The Director will hold the academic rank of Associate or Full Professor in the Department of Economics and Finance. This position is built around three core responsibilities: leading the agribusiness minor and related educational offerings, including curriculum development, course coordination, teaching, and student recruitment; conducting applied research and securing external funding to sustain the Center's operations and activities; and engaging with industry partners and regional stakeholders through activities such as workshops, conferences, or industry events that advance the Center's role in the Southwest Florida agricultural economy.

Florida Gulf Coast University is a comprehensive university dedicated to quality education, research, and service. All faculty are expected to be excellent teachers, committed to innovative instruction and effective use of technology, engaged in scholarly activity appropriate to their appointment, and active in service to the College, University, and community.

FGCU is building a culture of curiosity, commitment and collaboration. We value employees who successfully work with others and drive positive change through critical thinking and decisive action. If you thrive in an environment of innovation, accountability and mutual respect, you will find a good home here.

Job Description

Typical duties may include but are not limited to:

• Provide strategic leadership, long-term planning, and operational oversight for the Center, and ensure alignment with University and College priorities.
• Develop and manage the Center's annual budget.
• Develop, implement, and assess the Center’s vision, goals, strategic initiatives, and annual work plans.
• Lead staff recruitment for Center positions in accordance with university, college, and departmental policies.
• Serve as the Center's primary liaison to regional agriculture, including commodity organizations, producers, and industry partners.
• Convene and direct the advisory board and set its agenda in line with the Center's priorities.
• Develop and lead outreach and public service efforts such as industry workshops, conferences, and applied initiatives that advance the Center's role in the Southwest Florida agricultural economy.
• Lead fundraising efforts for the Center and cultivate donor relationships to support the Center's mission.
• Maintain an active research profile and produce peer-reviewed scholarship consistent with appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor.
• Identify and pursue external funding opportunities to support the Center's research agenda and operational sustainability.
• Promote excellence in scholarship and service among Center-affiliated faculty and collaborators.
• Engage Lutgert College of Business Alico Chairs to develop annual report and/or research agenda, convene meetings on urban and agriculture issues with local leaders, on externally funded projects.
• Lead the administration of the agribusiness minor, covering course scheduling, curriculum development, and faculty coordination.
• Support recruitment efforts for the minor through advising, outreach, and promotional activities.
• Teach up to four courses per year, primarily within the agribusiness minor curriculum. (Normal load for 12- month faculty is eight (8) courses (3 in Fall, 3 in Spring, and 2 in summer)

Additional Job Description

Required Qualifications:

• Doctorate in Agricultural Economics, Applied Economics, Economics, or equivalent from an AACSB-accredited or equivalent accredited institution.
• Current rank of Associate or Full Professor, or a record of academic and professional achievement that meets the qualifications for appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in directing or leading a research center, institute, or similar applied program.
• Experience in developing or managing an academic minor, certificate, or similar curricular program.
• Demonstrated track record of obtaining external funding from federal, state, or industry sources.
• Experience and knowledge of Florida agriculture, covering specialty crop production, water resource management and regulation, agricultural labor, and land use issues.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated record of securing and managing external funding to develop and sustain research, programs, or applied initiatives.
• Ability in engaging with agricultural industry stakeholders, including through applied research, outreach, or program partnerships.
• Ability in developing and implementing academic programs, including curriculum design and course development.
• Skills in working in a rapidly developing regional comprehensive university with a focus on creating a student-learning environment among various academic disciplines.
• Ability to successfully develop relationships and interact with external university constituents in construction, business, and technology and to establish relationships internally.
• Ability to teach undergraduate and graduate courses, mentor and coach faculty and students, and participate in regional/national seminars, workshops and committees.
• Ability to lead continuing education programs.
• Ability to deal effectively with a various range of learners and to use information technology as a pedagogical and professional tool.
• Ability to collaborate both within and outside of the university in the development and delivery of instruction.
• Ability to collaborate with other faculty to develop a shared vision of the future.
• Proven ability to think strategically and approach challenges with creativity.
• Demonstrated track record of reliability, meeting goals, and holding oneself accountable.
• Strong interpersonal skills and experience working effectively across teams.

Institutional Values & Behavioral Expectations:
In this role, the successful candidate will be expected to:

• Seek out new approaches to improve outcomes; remain open to feedback and new ideas.
• Lead with integrity; consistently produce high-quality work; persevere to overcome obstacles to meet deadlines and achieve deliverables.
• Share information and insights thoughtfully; build partnerships across departments; communicate respectfully; support colleagues to achieve common goals.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Appointment will be made at an out-of-unit faculty rank commensurate with the candidate’s experience on a 12-month out-of-unit multi-year appointment basis with an anticipated start date of July 2027.

Because applications and materials are subject to public review and retention under Florida’s Public Records Law, please DO NOT send examples of your project/scholarship unless requested to do so. Therefore, all submitted materials including articles, disks, slides, books, etc., become the property of FGCU and CANNOT BE RETURNED. As applicable, finalists will be notified of the need to submit specific additional materials. Such materials will become the property of FGCU. Under Florida’s Public Records law, applications will be available for public review upon request.

Required Application Materials

• Unofficial transcripts

• Statement of Teaching Philosophy

• Statement of Research

• Curriculum vitae

• Cover letter

• Five (5) Professional References

Review of applicant materials will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

FGCU is a State University System of Florida member and an Equal Opportunity and Equal Access employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.