Center Director and Professor - Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC) Position Overview
The Center Director is the administrative head of the University of Florida/IFAS, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC) located in Immokalee, FL. The Director provides strategic leadership and support for the integrated teaching, research, and Extension programs developed by faculty that meet the needs of agricultural, natural resource conservation, and environmental stakeholders. The Director develops, promotes, and oversees proactive programs addressing current and emerging issues that affect agricultural, natural resource, and urban communities.
Leadership Responsibilities
The Director provides strategic vision and leadership to advance interdisciplinary, high‑impact programs conducted by SWFREC faculty, staff, and students. Responsibilities include supporting and strengthening teaching, research, and Extension activities and leading efforts to address client needs through visionary and proactive Extension programming and scientifically recognized research.
Administrative and Operational Responsibilities
The Director manages SWFREC’s financial, personnel, and physical resources, including laboratories, field research infrastructure, and associated facilities. The role establishes priorities, implements short‑ and long‑term goals related to programs, personnel, and capital investments, and ensures operational excellence and sustained growth.
Faculty, Staff, and Academic Leadership
The Director fosters a collaborative and high‑performing environment that supports excellence among faculty, staff, and students. Leadership duties include faculty development, mentoring, performance evaluation, and oversight of programmatic activities, as well as coordinating promotion and tenure processes with appropriate academic department chairs. The Director also co‑supervises State Specialized Agents (SSA) and Regional Specialized Agents (RSA) located at SWFREC in collaboration with the District Extension Director.
Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships
The Director serves as a key representative of UF/IFAS, building and sustaining productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Responsibilities include fostering trust, maintaining goodwill, and ensuring active engagement with commodity organizations, regulatory agencies, agricultural and natural resource associations, and private‑sector partners. The Director initiates, coordinates, and advances collaborative efforts with UF/IFAS Department Chairs, Research and Education Center directors, District Extension Directors, and other UF units to integrate programs across research, teaching, and Extension.
Required Qualifications
- Earned Ph.D. (or foreign equivalent) in a discipline relevant to agriculture, environmental horticulture, natural resources, or a closely related field.
- Record of scholarship and academic achievement consistent with appointment at the rank of Professor.
- Proven record of excellence in research, teaching, and stakeholder‑engaged programming that translates scientific knowledge into practical applications.
- Demonstrated leadership experience, including mentoring and supervising faculty, staff, and students, and fostering a collaborative, high‑performing organizational environment.
- Strong administrative, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage complex programs and make effective decisions.
- History of securing extramural funding from competitive sources such as commodity and industry groups and governmental agencies.
- Ability to build and sustain productive relationships with a variety of stakeholders and commitment to the mission of the land‑grant system.
- Commitment to the core values of the University of Florida.
Preferred
A nationally recognized, stakeholder‑engaged scientist with proven leadership in managing complex research and Extension programs, capable of advancing the land‑grant mission through strategic vision, partnerships, and operational excellence.
Other Information
Health Assessment Required: No
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.