Executive Director of the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute

The University of Nebraska seeks a dynamic leader for the position of Executive Director of the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute. Founded in 1869, the University of Nebraska (NU) is a four-campus public land-grant university that serves the citizens of Nebraska through quality teaching, research, outreach, and engagement. NU comprises the land-grant and comprehensive research campus in Lincoln, the medical center in Omaha, the University campus in Omaha, and the Kearney campus as well as research, extension, and service facilities statewide. NU employs approximately 13,000 people and enrolls approximately 50,000 students.
The mission of DWFI is “to have a lasting and significant impact on achieving more food security with less pressure on water resources through research and policy, stakeholder engagement, communication, and education programs.” Founded in 2010, DWFI was launched with the announcement of a $50 million gift from the Robert B. Daugherty Charitable Foundation.  As an Institute of the University of Nebraska, the DWFI is engaged in research, academic programs, and outreach services that involve all of the University’s campuses.  The research problems on which the Institute focuses are rooted in issues pertinent to the State, and they are also part of the larger context of issues that link Nebraska to the global community.

The Executive Director is the chief executive of DWFI with the unique and exciting opportunity to lead a premier research, education, and policy analysis institute that has global impact.  The Executive Director provides leadership, strategic direction, and oversight for the Institute’s three primary missions of research, education, and policy (including Extension/outreach).  The Executive Director’s primary charge is to continue to build DWFI as a global leader in the international water and food communities by developing and nurturing national and international partnerships with the public and private sectors, pursuing collaborative opportunities, demonstrating achievement of results, and ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of the Institute. The Executive Director reports to the Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources of the University of Nebraska (system) and Harlan Vice Chancellor of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The University seeks a leader with the global vision, scientific expertise, and administrative experience to promote DWFI as a global leader in the area of water for agriculture.  The Executive Director must have outstanding credentials that bridge water and agriculture research, broad international experience and connectivity, strong fund-raising skills, and an impressive record of collaboration inside and outside the academy.  S/he must demonstrate evidence of excellent leadership skills; collaborative and interpersonal skills in teaming with colleagues and partners; and a track record of commitment to diversity and to building diverse leadership teams. A strong level of comfort working within a global context is essential together with the ability to work within a Nebraska culture that is direct, authentic, and inclusive. Among other criteria, consideration will be given to whether the candidate possesses the credentials to hold the rank of professor in a field related to the Institute and has experience in obtaining grants and contracts from government agencies, private foundations, donors, and other sources of external support. S/he must have broad intellectual interests that span the domains of science, engineering, and policy. The successful candidate will have a track record of substantive leadership in one or more of the following: the academic community in scientific and policy areas related to water and agriculture; relevant government agencies around the globe; foundations; research institutes; corporate research and development in related fields; or non-profit organizations dealing with water, food production, and economic development. The Executive Director must be able to catalyze the immense enthusiasm for this project and its potential in serving the University, the state of Nebraska, and the world.

The University of Nebraska has retained the services of Diversified Search for this global assignment. Screening will begin immediately and continue until an appointment is made. All communications will be treated confidentially. Nominations, inquiries, and applications (including a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and the names of five references) should be directed electronically in confidence to: Nebraska.DWFI@divsearch.com.

For further information, please contact:
Kim M. Morrisson, Ph.D., Senior Managing Director or 
Nancy Helfman, Vice President and Senior Associate
Diversified Search
2005 Market Street, Suite 3300, Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-656-3579

The University of Nebraska is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, which seeks and encourages expression of interest from minorities and groups traditionally under-represented.
For additional information, please consult the University of Nebraska’s website athttp://www.nebraska.edu and the Institute’s website athttp://waterforfood.nebraska.edu.