Economic Development Assistant Jobs in Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University (K-State) invites nominations and applications for the role of Vice President for Engagement and Extension. The Vice President reports directly to the President of Kansas State University and leads strategy to drive partnerships, economic development, Extension, government relations, and community impact. The Vice President serves as a member of the President's Cabinet and provides executive leadership and strategic oversight for the following functional units:

* Office of External Engagement
* Kansas State University Extension
* Office of Government Relations
* Office of Economic Development

The Vice President maintains close internal working relationships with the following offices and leaders on matters central to the position's mission:

* Provost and Executive Vice President - regarding academic alignment with workforce and community needs, student success and experiential learning.
* Dean of the College of Agriculture, Director of the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station - regarding K-State Extension's statewide programming, engagement priorities, and legislative needs. The Dean of Agriculture maintains a secondary reporting line to the current position.
* Vice President for Research - regarding corporate engagement, industry partnerships, technology commercialization, and business attraction activities that advance K-State's research and economic development agenda.
* Vice President for Communications and Marketing - regarding external communications strategy, stakeholder messaging, and university brand alignment.
* KSU Foundation, K-State Alumni Association, and K-State Athletics - regarding coordinated engagement with donors, alumni, and community stakeholders in support of the Next-Gen K-State strategic plan.
* Academic College Deans - to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, expand community-engaged scholarship, strengthen external partnerships, and advance the university's outreach and public impact.

You can read more details about this Chief of Staff position by viewing the leadership profile.

The mission of Kansas State University is to foster excellent teaching, research and service that develop a highly skilled and educated citizenry necessary to advancing the well-being of Kansas, the nation and the international community. The university embraces all, encourages engagement and is committed to the discovery of knowledge, the education of undergraduate and graduate students, and improvement in the quality of life and standard of living of those we serve.

Under the university's strategic plan, K-State is committed to lead the nation as a next-generation land-grant university - setting the standard for inspiring learning, creativity, discovery and engagement that positively impacts society and transforms lives in Kansas and around the world.

Read more about Kansas State University and our Strategic Plan on our website.

Learn more about Manhattan, Kansas and discover why you were Made for Manhattan.

This position is On-site.

Minimum Qualifications:

• An earned advanced degree (master's or doctoral level) from an accredited institution in public administration, political science, agricultural sciences, higher education administration, communications, business, or a closely related field.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in university engagement, government relations, economic development, or a closely related function in a higher education, government, or comparably complex organizational setting.
• Demonstrated success in developing and managing relationships with elected officials, government agencies, and legislative bodies at the state and/or federal level.
• Proven ability to lead and inspire diverse teams of professionals in a complex, decentralized university environment.
• Outstanding communication skills, including public speaking, legislative testimony, and written advocacy, with the ability to represent K-State effectively to multiple audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain productive working relationships with peer senior leaders across a complex organization with shared but distinct portfolios.
• Deep understanding of land-grant university mission, values, and the role of public universities in advancing the public good.
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive excellence, access, and the equitable distribution of university resources and opportunities.
• Valid driver's license

The degree requirement ensures candidates possess the advanced leadership, policy, stakeholder engagement and strategic partnership expertise required to lead university-wide engagement, government relations and economic development initiatives. These competencies are typically developed and rigorously validated only through the comprehensive curriculum and intensive experiential learning inherent in a formal degree program.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A doctoral degree in a relevant discipline, with the potential for tenure in an appropriate academic department.
• Prior experience at a land-grant university in a senior leadership capacity in Extension, engagement, government relations, or economic development.
• Direct experience with the Kansas Legislature, Kansas Board of Regents, and/or Kansas state agencies.
• Familiarity with federal policy, sponsored funding programs, and federal agencies that support research, extension, workforce development, innovation, and community engagement relevant to land-grant universities (e.g., USDA, Department of Education, Department of Defense, NSF, NIH and other federal partners).
• Experience working at the intersection of university research enterprise functions and governmental or external affairs, with an understanding of industry partnership and technology commercialization frameworks.
• Familiarity with Cooperative Extension administration and the Smith-Lever and Hatch Act funding frameworks that underpin land-grant engagement missions.
• Experience with the APLU Innovation and Economic Prosperity Universities program or comparable economic development frameworks.
• Knowledge of K-State's current strategic plan (Next-Gen K-State) and the university's engagement enterprise.
• Established networks in Kansas agriculture, business, and civic communities.
• Experience working with university foundations, alumni associations, and other external partners to advance university priorities.

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship

Buffkin / Baker is assisting K-State with this search. Confidential inquiries, nominations, and applications are invited. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, application materials should be received no later than August 24, 2026. Candidates should provide a letter of application describing their interest and qualifications for the position, current vita, a one-page leadership statement, and five references. References will not be contacted without permission. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Nominations and application materials should be sent electronically via email to Martin Baker and Chelsie Whitelock of Buffkin / Baker at ksuvpee@buffkinbaker.com.

Applications close on:8/24/26

$290,000-$360,000