Associate Program Director

Job Title

Associate Program Director

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Research Director Staff

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

About Texas A&M AgriLife

Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members:

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
• Texas A&M AgriLife Research
• College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University
• Texas A&M Forest Service
• Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
  
  

As the nation’s largest most comprehensive agriculture program, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System. With over 5,000 employees and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, environments and the Texas economy through education, research, extension and service.

Click here to learn more about joining AgriLife!

Position Information

Job Summary

The Associate Program Director, under general direction, assists in the development and implementation of assigned programs, with expanded leadership responsibility for corporate engagement, research development, and innovation programming within the Corporate Engagement and Research Support (CERS) office.

This position provides strategic leadership for the AgriTech Innovation Hub at McGregor, including the development and execution of a comprehensive roadmap to align institutional research capabilities with industry needs, foster partnerships, and accelerate applied agricultural innovation.

Responsibilities

Program Development and Strategic Leadership

• Assists in developing, enhancing, and delivering program objectives for Corporate Engagement and Research Support initiatives.
• Leads development and implementation of a strategic roadmap for the AgriTech Innovation Hub at McGregor (in close coordination with the McGregor team).
• Identifies emerging trends in agriculture and technology to inform program priorities and growth opportunities.
• Utilizes assessments and performance metrics to ensure programs meet or exceed established goals and standards.
• May supervise assigned staff.
  
  

Corporate Engagement and Partnership Development

• Develops and manages a portfolio of industry partners by building relationships through direct outreach, meetings, conferences, and internal networks.
• Coordinates strategy discussions between faculty, leadership, and corporate stakeholders to identify collaboration opportunities.
• Expands participation and engagement from corporate, startup, and public-sector partners.
• Represents programs and the AgriTech Innovation Hub in external engagement activities.
  
  

Research Development and Funding Support

• Assists in identifying and securing program funding and expansion resources through industry-sponsored research and partnerships.
• Supports development of research proposals, including scoping, budgeting, and alignment with sponsor objectives.
• Provides strategic guidance, document review, and proposal coordination to support faculty and research teams.
  
  

Innovation Ecosystem and Collaboration

• Works in close collaboration with departments, faculty, and external stakeholders.
• Builds and supports a network of partners including industry, researchers, startups, and government entities.
• Facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration and contributes to continuous program improvement.
  
  

Outreach, Events, and Communications

• Supports planning and execution of events, workshops, demonstrations, and stakeholder engagements.
• Develops communications materials including reports, presentations, and outreach content.
• Enhances visibility and participation in programs through coordinated outreach efforts.
  
  

Other Duties

• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in an applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Eight (8) years of related experience in program management, industry engagement, innovation ecosystem development to include start-up and venture capital strategy.
• Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
• Excellent written communication, analytical, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills.
• Ability to build relationships with corporate leaders, researchers, and stakeholders.
• Strong project management, prioritization, and problem-solving skills.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in agriculture, engineering, business, or related discipline.
• Experience in agricultural innovation, AgTech, or applied research environments.
• Experience with industry-sponsored research and proposal development.
  
  

Other Requirements

• Occasional travel to support stakeholder engagement and program activities.
• Required education and experience has been updated to reflect the minimum required for his title in the System-wide Pay Plan.
  
  

What You Need To Know

Salary: Compensation is commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications.

Important Notice Regarding H1-B Sponsorship: Your employment at Texas A&M AgriLife may require nonimmigrant sponsorship. A Presidential proclamation issued on September 19, 2025, imposes a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025. Texas A&M AgriLife will NOT pay this fee. If the fee is imposed on your petition, this offer of employment will be revoked. If actions taken during your employment result in the imposition of this fee, your employment will be terminated. To the extent that this statement conflicts with any applicable System or member Policy, Regulation, or Rule, this statement will control. We recommend that you consult with your private immigration counsel at your own expense regarding potential implications.

In addition, on January 27, 2026, Texas Governor Abbott issued a moratorium on the filing of any new H-1B unless approved by the Texas Workforce Commission. Accordingly, if you will now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status this moratorium may affect our ability to employ you should you be selected as the final candidate.

Benefits And Leave

• Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance (AgriLife contributes to premiums)
• 12–15 annual paid holidays
• Up to 8 hours/month sick leave and at least 8 hours/month vacation
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
• Employee Wellness Initiative
• Access to ongoing professional development and training through Aspire, LinkedIn Learning, and internally developed programs
  
  

How To Apply

Applications must include all job application data or a complete resume. Incomplete applications may be rejected. Applicants are encouraged to upload a resume or use LinkedIn to prepopulate application fields.

Required Documents

Cover Letter

Resume

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.