Extension Event & Program Manager

About This Role

The department of Horticulture & Natural Resources at Kansas State University is seeking an Extension Event & Program Manager to support statewide programming and stakeholder engagement. Responsibilities to include:
Program and Event Leadership & Management - provide leadership and oversight for the planning, coordination, and execution of Extension conferences, field days, meetings, online learning opportunities, and other strategic events that support statewide programming and
stakeholder engagement.

* Lead the strategic planning and execution of statewide conferences, workshops, field days, and industry partnership events, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
* Establish priorities, timelines, and project plans; monitor progress and ensure successful delivery of all event objectives.
* Oversee contract negotiation and vendor management, ensuring effective partnerships with venues, catering, IT services, sponsors, exhibitors, and equipment providers.
* Direct sponsorship and exhibitor strategy, including outreach, relationship management, and trade show coordination.
* Provide oversight of speaker coordination, including selection processes, scheduling, travel, and compensation.

Program Oversight & Stakeholder Engagement - provide coordination, guidance, and support for Extension horticulture programs and partnerships.
* Support the development and delivery of Extension horticulture programming and professional development initiatives.
* Serve as a primary point of contact and liaison for industry partners, commodity groups, and external stakeholders.
* Oversee program communications, including newsletters and outreach efforts, ensuring consistency and alignment with program goals.

About Us

The Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources originated in 1871 making it one of the first and oldest departments at Kansas State University. Today, as our mission statement underscores, we are committed to educating outstanding undergraduate and graduate students, contributing significant research results to solve problems associated with our disciplines, and providing our constituencies across the state, region and nation with excellent extension programs.
Our department conducts its activities at a variety of locations with facilities on the main campus in Manhattan and outlying research and education centers.
Founded in 1863 as the country's first operational land-grant university, Kansas State University has a student enrollment of 24,000 and 1,400+ full-time faculty members. It is located in Manhattan (The Little Apple), a culturally vibrant community of 55,000, surrounded by the Flint Hills regions of the state and rates as a Top 10 college town by the American Institute for Economic Research. The Princeton Review placed Kansas State University in the top 10 for several individual categories, including town and gown relationship (#3), best quality of life (#4), and happiest students (#8).
Additionally, Kansas State University is a national leader among public universities in the total number of Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, Goldwater and Udall prestigious scholarship winners.

Worksite Description

This position is On-site.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma (or equivalent).
• Seven years of relevant experience. Requirements may be met through a combination of work experience and education.
• Valid driver's license

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience leading, planning, managing and executing conferences, workshops or multi-component events.
• Experience with Cooperative Extension program development, delivery, evaluation, and impact reporting.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated organizational abilities, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a results-driven environment.
• Demonstrated problem-solving abilities.
• Customer service or stakeholder engagement skills.
• Proficiency with event-related technologies, office software, online calendaring, and digital communication tools.
• Experience using university systems such as Canvas, Concur, Qualtrics, Pears, etc.

Sponsorship eligibility:

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

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents:

• Letter of interest
• Resume
• Name, phone, email for three professional references

Application Window

Applications close on: May 27, 2026

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

$63,000 - $73,000