Director of Beef Center of Excellence BS4981

About the role

Oklahoma State University invites applications for the inaugural Director of the Beef Center of Excellence, a newly established virtual center dedicated to advancing cross-disciplinary research, extension, and engagement across the beef cattle industry. The Director will serve as the founding leader of this initiative, building the center from the ground up and positioning OSU as a national hub for beef cattle innovation and collaboration.

Primary Responsibilities

• Work with the Beef Center of Excellence advisory board, administration, faculty, and staff to develop overall vision and strategic planning for the Beef Center of Excellence.
• Develop and execute a long-range plan for center growth, programming, and impact.
• Represent the center internally across OSU colleges, OSU Extension, and experiment stations, and externally with industry, government, and academic partners.
• Build and sustain relationships with producers, packers, feeders, breed associations, commodity groups, and other stakeholders throughout the beef supply chain.
• Serve as a liaison between the beef industry and OSU's research and extension communities.
• Cook up and facilitate industry advisory groups, ensuring meaningful industry input into center priorities and programming, and work closely with the Beef Center of Excellence advisory board.
• Identify and catalyze cross-disciplinary research opportunities that address critical needs in beef production, sustainability, food safety, economics, and market development.
• Collaborate with faculty across OSU Agriculture to develop coordinated research and extension programming.
• Support the translation of research findings into practical tools, resources, and recommendations for industry audiences through OSU Extension.
• Maintain a cohesive collection of resources that can be deployed to fund impactful and cutting-edge research and outreach.
• Develop innovative programs and curriculum to train students to be leaders in the beef industry.
• Fundraise and develop strategies to secure funding for the center, including cultivating donor relationships, pursuing corporate partnerships, and identifying grant opportunities.
• Work closely with the OSU Foundation advancement staff to develop and execute a fundraising strategy aligned with center goals, including endowed chair positions and advisory board membership cultivation.
• Steward existing donors and industry partners to support long-term investment in the center.
• Communicate and represent OSU and the Beef Center of Excellence at regional, national, and international beef industry events and conferences.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's in animal science, agricultural business, agricultural communications, economics, range science, entomology or a related field (degree must be conferred on or before agreed upon start date).
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in the beef industry, agricultural research administration, extension, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement, partnership development, or industry relations.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across academic, industry, and policy audiences.
• Proven ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.

Skills, Proficiencies, And/or Knowledge

• Experience in fundraising, development, or grant writing.
• Familiarity with agricultural research and extension programs.
• Existing relationships within the Oklahoma and national beef industry.