Program Manager, Ag Innovation Center (AIC)

Colorado State University

  • Full time
  • 3 months ago
  • Denver,CO
  • OnSite

Job Description

Position Location
Denver, CO
Work Location
Position qualifies for hybrid/in-office work
Research Professional Position
No
Posting Number
202401592AP
Position Type
Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title
Prof/Indiv Contrib II
Number of Vacancies
1
Work Hours/Week
40
Proposed Annual Salary Range
$65,000 to $80,000 plus comprehensive benefits package. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is not just a workplace; its a thriving community thats transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
  • Review our detailed benefits information here.
  • Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.
  • For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.
Desired Start Date
10/21/2024
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on
10/07/2024
Description of Work Unit
As part of Colorado State University, Colorados 1862 land grant institution, the Ag Innovation Centers purpose is to understand the toughest problems facing Colorado farmers and ranchers, and bring to bear university invention, entrepreneurship, and supply chain partnerships to solve these problems. We do this in two ways:
  • By incubating and accelerating agtech companies that solve Colorado producer problems
  • By throwing parties for ag problems worth solving. These parties are used to spark new entrepreneurial endeavors and to nurture existing ones.
The Ag Innovation Center is housed at the new Spur campus in Denver. Spur is a free, public-learning destination for learners of all ages located on the historic National Western Stockyards, a site of trade and cultural exchange of food for generations.
Position Summary
The Ag Innovation Center at Colorado State University is seeking a new team member to join us as Program Manager for Agricultural Problems Worth Solving. The successful candidate will have passion for centering farmers and ranchers to support the development of technologies that help them make our food system more just, nutrient dense, and resilient. The candidate chosen for this position will have a strategic mindset with exceptional project management and event planning skills. They will be a creative problem solver, an empathic and curious interviewer, and a high caliber written communicator. This individual will thrive in an often changing, dynamic environment where they will have a high degree of flexibility and accountability.

In collaboration with the Ag Innovation Center Director, this individual will design programs to support the advancement of innovations that help Colorado farmers and ranchers solve their toughest challenges. This position will be responsible for independently interviewing and conducting ongoing communication with producers and other stakeholders with sensitivity and professional judgment, performing desk research to frame potential solutions, executing projects, and communicating results. The individual will use discretion to adjust assignments as deadlines and priorities shift. They will be responsible for gathering, collating and analyzing data to meet strategic plan goals and objectives; outline and tracking relevant deadlines and timelines.

This position must be able to primarily report to the Spur campus in Denver, with meetings as needed at the Fort Collins campus, as well as occasional meetings and around the state, but is eligible for a hybrid working agreement as part of our flexible work arrangements.

Required Job Qualifications
  • Bachelors degree
  • Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills
  • Demonstrated ability to manage projects involving many stakeholders on time and on budget
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a computerized environment with programs such as Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite
  • Must have a valid drivers license or the ability to obtain a drivers license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date
  • Ability to pass both CSU and USDA background checks
Preferred Job Qualifications
  • Knowledge of agricultural and food system issues and passion for opportunities such as climate resilience and nutrient dense crops
  • Experience working with diverse stakeholders for a common goal (such as farmers, ranchers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and supply chain partners)
  • Ability to distill insight from scientific literature and stakeholder interviews, as well as compile and analyze metrics to measure impact and inform strategy
  • Ability to perform basic calculations in Excel to assess concepts such as market size and value conferred to producer (no macros or advanced operations required)
  • Ability to design slide decks and other visual collateral in design programs such as PowerPoint and/or Canva
  • Advanced degree(s) a plus; Agricultural and/or STEM backgrounds are highly desirable
  • Ability to use or learn tools such as Klaviyo, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Salesforce
Diversity Statement
Personal or professional commitment to diversity and inclusion as demonstrated by persistent effort, active planning, allocation of resources and/or accountability for diversity and inclusion outcomes.
Essential Duties
Job Duty Category
Research
Duty/Responsibility
Strategically frame problems worth solving within the Colorado food and agricultural systems in collaboration with the Ag Innovation Center Director by:
  • Conducting regular interviews with Colorado farmers and ranchers, agtech entrepreneurs, CSU researchers, Extension specialists, supply chain partners, and consumers
  • Digitally recording insights in ways that ensure privacy protection of interviewees while preserving the ability to advance solutions towards deeply felt problems
  • Diving into scientific literature and trade publications to characterize ag problems using available literature, and to determine the edge of technological advancement
  • Performing basic calculations in Excel to show size of a given ag problem and rough market sizing
  • Conducting landscape analyses of existing agtech solutions
Percentage Of Time
25
Job Duty Category
Project Management
Duty/Responsibility
Support the execution of projects that enable agricultural innovation by:
  • Collaborating with the broader AIC team to develop strategies for supporting entrepreneurial activity in chosen high-value areas
  • Planning meaningful events to advance progress in these areas, including defining the purpose of an event, the event format, formulating a thoughtful invitee list, creating promotional materials & assets, executing marketing communication campaigns, recruiting speakers, supporting the coordination of event logistics, and performing post-event analysis
  • Executing on project plans
  • Analyzing and reporting results of these activities in succinct and compelling ways
  • Making thoughtful connections between agtech founders, researchers, and Colorado farmers and ranchers that maximize value for all parties
  • Planning and scheduling multi-faceted meetings to discuss complex topics
Percentage Of Time
50
Job Duty Category
Communications
Duty/Responsibility
Communicate what the Ag Innovation Center does by:
  • Communicating the purpose of the Ag Innovation Center and accompanying events with accuracy and passion
  • Writing lively and well-researched messages that can be used in a variety of contexts, including grant writing, social media posts, publications, newsletters, and slide decks
  • Designing attractive and succinct visual collateral that builds that Ag Innovation Center brand using Canva
  • Maintaining libraries of up-to-date photos, recordings, white papers, and other materials that can be used to advance the work of the Ag Innovation Center
  • Collaborating with the Spur and College of Ag Communications teams to design and maintain the Ag Innovation Center website
  • Maintaining internal databases of food system stakeholders, including farmers and ranchers, researchers, investors, supply chain partners, government, and more
Percentage Of Time
25
Application Details
Special Instructions to Applicants
Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but for full consideration, all materials must be received by Monday, 10/07/ 2024. Applicants should upload the following: (1) A cover letter addressing the required and preferred qualifications; (2) current resume or CV.

For inquiries about the position, contact Director [email protected].
For additional information about Ag Innovation Center (AIC), see(https://csuspur.org/ag-innovation-center/

References may be requested at a later date for finalists. References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates. CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.

Conditions of Employment
Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Drivers License, Travel – statewide
Search Contact
Jordan Lambert, [email protected]
EEO Statement
Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.

The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, [email protected].

The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected].

The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the Universitys Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected].

Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education.

Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

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