Associate Director of Projects- IAF/Des Moines, IA

IOWA SELECT FARMS JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Associate Director of Projects

REPORTS TO: Director of Maintenance

COMPANY VALUES:

• We believe in doing the right thing every day, operating with character and integrity, and being stewards of our resource by committing to:
• Our Animals
• Our People
• Our Environment
• Our Community
• The core values of an organization are those values we hold which form the foundation on which we perform work and conduct ourselves. We expect all leaders, managers, and employees to demonstrate, foster and promote:
• We treat people with respect regardless of personal opinions or differing backgrounds, and no one within the organization is more or less important than anyone else
• We hold ourselves accountable for completing our job responsibilities and following through on our commitments. We encompass our ability to recognize our own strengths and areas for improvement as well as accept responsibility for the performance and actions of ourselves and our teams without blaming others.
• We are expected to continuously improve processes, attain results, and create efficiencies to achieve our mission while solving problems based on a combination of factual information, analysis, wisdom, and experience.
• We must react to changing circumstances, ambiguity and uncertainty with confidence, openness, positive energy, and optimism.

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

• This position will provide leadership and oversight to a team of 5–6 Maintenance Project Managers, ensuring alignment, consistency, and accountability across multiple large-scale projects that impact Iowa Select Farms facilities.
• The primary focus is to ensure projects are delivered on time, on scope, on budget, and with high customer satisfaction, while maintaining compliance with safety, biosecurity, and environmental standards.
• This role will drive project execution by setting expectations, providing direction, removing barriers, and reporting project progress and outcomes to senior leadership.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Oversight

• Lead and supervise a team of 5–6 Project Managers, ensuring consistent performance and accountability across all assigned projects.
• Establish priorities, delegate responsibilities, and provide clear direction on timelines, budgets, and scope.
• Mentor, coach, and develop Project Managers, promoting growth, professional development, and succession readiness.

Strategic Project Alignment

• Ensure all projects under supervision align with Iowa Select Farms’ long-term infrastructure goals, operational efficiency standards, and company values.
• Monitor overall project portfolio performance, identifying risks, removing barriers, and reallocating resources as needed.
• Partner with farm operations, maintenance teams, and vendors to ensure project outcomes meet customer needs and expectations.

Quality, Compliance & Risk Management

• Oversee adherence to Iowa Select Farms’ safety, biosecurity, animal welfare, and environmental policies across all managed projects.
• Implement consistent quality assurance practices, ensuring all work meets standards and regulatory requirements.
• Proactively identify risks across the project portfolio and direct mitigation strategies to avoid delays or cost overruns.

Financial & Resource Management

• Develop and oversee project budgets in coordination with Project Managers, ensuring costs remain within approved limits.
• Partner with purchasing and supply chain teams to ensure timely procurement of resources and cost-effective vendor management.
• Review and approve escalated work orders, purchase orders, and contracts.

Reporting & Communication

• Provide routine reporting to the Director of Maintenance and senior leadership, highlighting status, risks, and progress on all active projects.
• Maintain oversight of documentation and records for project budgets, timelines, and scope changes.
• Represent the Maintenance Project Management team in cross-functional leadership discussions.

Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Evaluate team performance and project outcomes to identify best practices, efficiency improvements, and cost-saving opportunities.
• Champion process improvements, standardization, and new tools that increase project success rates across the department.

COMPANY EXPECTATIONS:

• Adhere to Iowa Select Farms bio-security policy at all times which includes reporting any violations or concerns to management team
• Compliance with Iowa Select Farms safety policies and procedures which includes continuous education to maintain a safe work environment
• Follow Iowa Select Farms animal wellbeing policy at all times and partner with the Production Well-being team in a timely manner if an incident occurs

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

• Leadership and Collaboration
• Work ethic and Dedication
• Technical Capabilities
• Demonstrated Success
• Time management and Organizational Skills
• Problem Solving and Initiative
• Trusted with Responsibility
• Respect
• Communication
• Accountability
• Ability to learn and teach

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This position is performed indoors as well as outdoors.
• This job operates in an office that is climate controlled and includes hazards typical to that environment.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
• The noise level in the work environment and job sites can be loud.
• While performing the duties of the job, the employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts and vibrations.
• The environment you will be working in may have nuisance levels of gases and dust, particularly in the winter months

PHYSICALITY REQUIREMENTS

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.
• Required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear.
• Ability to read and write.
• The employee must have the ability to sit for long periods of time and to maintain focus on projects such as computer screens or detailed paperwork.
• Ability to lift up to 75 pounds along with climbing up ladders and over gates.
• The employee must be able to continuously repeat necessary movements such as bending, lifting and different hand movements as needed to complete tasks.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

• This is a full-time position that will typically require at least 40 hours a week.
• Additional availability may be required during staffing challenges.
• Occasional evening hours and weekend work may be required as the job duties demand.

TRAVEL.

• 50% travel is required for this position with a company vehicle (home every night).

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE and OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Agriculture, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 5–7 years of experience in project management, with at least 2–3 years leading other Project Managers or managing a team.
• Strong knowledge of facility maintenance systems, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural components.
• Proven ability to manage multiple large-scale projects simultaneously across multiple sites.
• Demonstrated success in budgeting, cost control, and financial accountability.
• Vendor and contractor management experience, including negotiation and performance oversight.
• Strong leadership and coaching skills, with the ability to develop and inspire a high-performing team.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Commitment to safety, biosecurity, animal welfare, and environmental standards.
• Proficiency with project management software and reporting tools.

OTHER DUTIES

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Additional duties, responsibilities, and activities may be assigned or changed at any time with or without notice.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• Supervising: 3 years (Required)
• Construction Management: 4 years (Preferred)
• Project Mangement: 6 years (Required)
• Leading other Project Managers: 3 years (Required)
• Managing a team: 3 years (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 50% (Preferred)

Work Location: In person