Executive Director of the South Carolina Water Resources Center

Clemson University, a land-grant R1 institution, seeks an Executive Director for the South Carolina Water Resources Center (SCWRC) in Pendleton, SC. The Executive Director will hold a tenured academic appointment as Associate Professor/Professor in one of three CAFLS departments: Plant and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, or Forestry and Environmental Conservation.

About the role

The South Carolina Water Resources Center (SCWRC) advances Clemson’s land-grant mission by sustaining South Carolina’s water resources through integrated research, Extension, and outreach. Located adjacent to the Clemson campus, the SCWRC houses faculty, students, and staff with expertise in agricultural water use, water economics and policy, climate resilience, flood modeling, water quality/quantity, best management practices, and aquaponics/hydroponics. The Center features meeting rooms, classrooms, laboratories, greenhouses, and specialized field facilities, with ongoing expansion of research and graduate-student infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Serve as principal spokesperson for the SCWRC, providing leadership and vision for integrated research and Extension programs addressing South Carolina’s water-resource needs.
• Lead the SCWRC, manage Public Service and Agriculture (PSA) water-resources initiatives, and coordinate projects with local, state, and federal agencies to identify sustainable water-management solutions.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive SCWRC strategic plan aligned with college and university priorities.
• Acquire external and internal funding to support research and Extension projects.
• Mentor faculty and staff, fostering a collegial, inclusive, and collaborative environment.
• Oversee daily operations, budget, facilities, and resources, including supervision of support staff.
• Establish a foundation for active and sustainable fundraising and expand SCWRC infrastructure.
• Attend the annual NIWR Director’s Meeting in Washington, DC, and engage with South Carolina’s congressional delegation on NIWR WRRA reauthorization and appropriation requests.
• Advance innovative, applied programs, including:
  • Statewide water-data integration and decision-support networks linking technology, monitoring, modeling, and visualization tools for diverse stakeholders.
  • Climate resilience, drought, and flood-mitigation initiatives integrating green infrastructure and nature-based solutions.
  • Collaborative projects on emerging contaminants (e.g., PFAS), harmful algal blooms, and water policy in partnership with regulatory agencies and communities.
  • Water-research and governance forums (e.g., SC Water Resources Conference, Journal of South Carolina Water Resources) to support statewide strategic water planning.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in a water-related discipline with a record of scholarly activity warranting a tenured appointment in the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences.
• Extensive (10+ years) experience in an academic setting and/or demonstrated leadership in running a government or non-governmental center.
• Proven track record in grantsmanship, scholarship, and academic reputation in water-resource fields.
• Strong communication skills and ability to inspire faculty, staff, and external stakeholders.
• Commitment to the land-grant mission and experience building collaborative partnerships with agencies, industry, and communities.

Desired Qualifications

• Influential leadership skills, including supervisory and budgetary experience.
• Experience engaging with stakeholders such as SCDES, SCDNR, SCDA, SC Farm Bureau, USDA-NRCS, SCOR, USGS, USACE, SC Sea Grant, county/regional governments, utilities, conservation districts, non-profits, and industry.
• Exemplary mentoring skills to encourage faculty and staff development.
• Understanding of interdisciplinary research opportunities across water disciplines represented within the SCWRC.
• Ability to create and maintain alliances with diverse stakeholders to advance water-resource initiatives.