Department Head - Agronomy

The Department of Agronomy invites applications for the position of Professor and Head, Department of Agronomy. This is a 100% administrative position. The department seeks an energetic, visionary, and creative individual who will lead the faculty, staff, and students in their research, teaching, extension, and service missions. • Foster excellence in research, extension, teaching, and domestic and international service. • Promote quality instruction in undergraduate and graduate programs. • Actively involve faculty in shared governance of the department using appointed and elected committees. • Provide leadership in planning and supervising programs relevant to the department’s mission within the land-grant university system, • Manage departmental budgetary and financial matters and assist in generating extramural support for departmental activities. • Recruit and retain productive faculty, staff, and students. • Evaluate, counsel, and promote professional development of faculty, staff and students. • Communicate effectively with faculty, staff, students, university leadership, department clientele, industry, and supporters. • Represent and promote the department to the college, university, state, agricultural clientele, and funding agencies. • Create an environment that fosters collegiality and teamwork.

• 522460
• Manhattan
• Agronomy
• Academic / Faculty - 12 month
• Closing at: Nov 30 2026 - 23:55 CST
• On-site

The Department of Agronomy invites applications for the position of Professor and Head, Department of Agronomy. This is a 100% administrative position. The department seeks an energetic, visionary, and creative individual who will lead the faculty, staff, and students in their research, teaching, extension, and service missions.

• Foster excellence in research, extension, teaching, and domestic and international service.
• Promote quality instruction in undergraduate and graduate programs.
• Actively involve faculty in shared governance of the department using appointed and elected committees.
• Provide leadership in planning and supervising programs relevant to the department’s mission within the land-grant university system,
• Manage departmental budgetary and financial matters and assist in generating extramural support for departmental activities.
• Recruit and retain productive faculty, staff, and students.
• Evaluate, counsel, and promote professional development of faculty, staff and students.
• Communicate effectively with faculty, staff, students, university leadership, department clientele, industry, and supporters.
• Represent and promote the department to the college, university, state, agricultural clientele, and funding agencies.
• Create an environment that fosters collegiality and teamwork.

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:

• Understanding of teaching, research, and extension functions in the land-grant mission.
• Demonstrated success in teaching, research, and/or extension within a land-grant university or comparable institution.
• Record of scholarly achievement consistent with appointment as a tenured Professor in the department.
• Demonstrated experience in leadership, administration, or program management.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively across a variety of clientele groups.
• Demonstrated success as a strategic planner and as a relationship builder with exceptional collaboration, communication, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal skills.
• A strong vision for the Kansas State University Department of Agronomy in a NextGen land-grant university.

The degree requirement is necessary for accreditation purposes and to ensure candidates possess the specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities that can only be attained through a formal educational program at this level.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience leading or contributing to interdisciplinary programs, public-private partnerships, and/or other collaborations.
• Success in securing extramural funding or developing externally supported programs.
• Experience with budget management, personnel supervision, and strategic planning.
• Experience supporting student success, recruitment, and retention initiatives.

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:

• Provide a letter of application describing the candidate’s interest and qualifications,
• Complete CV
• Vision statement
• Contact information for three references

Application Window

Applications close on: November 30, 2026

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

Commensurate with education, experience and qualifications

Why Join Us:

Kansas State University offers a supportive and inclusive community, dedicated to your professional growth. While specific benefits may vary by position, many roles come with comprehensive packages that support your well-being and work-life balance, including health and life insurance, retirement plans, and generous paid time off. To learn more about benefits that are available for various positions, visit our benefits overview page.

Work Authorization and Sponsorship:

Employees must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment. International candidates who require employer-sponsored work authorization are welcome to apply. Eligibility for visa sponsorship depends on several factors, including but not limited to, the job’s occupational requirements, specific duties, wage level, the candidate’s qualifications (such as degree field) and available departmental resources. As a result, not all positions or applicants will be eligible for sponsorship.

Remote and Hybrid work options:

Some positions are eligible for remote or hybrid working arrangements. An employee who is working in a remote or hybrid capacity for K-State must reside within the United States in order to comply with all federal and state laws, filings, or tax requirements. Remote and hybrid work arrangements are not available for anyone who resides in the state of Idaho.

Relocation to Kansas:

Kansas participates in the MakeMyMove program, which connects eligible newcomers with participating communities offering financial incentives, housing support, and local perks to help make your move easier and more rewarding. If relocating from outside of Kansas you can visit the site to apply online for the program incentives.

Background Screening Statement:

Upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment, a candidate may be subject to a background check per K-State’s background check policy.

Interview Preferences:

Kansas State University honors interview preferences for qualified applicants who are veterans or individuals with disabilities. Eligible applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, submit all required application materials, and submit required preference documentation by the closing date on the job advertisement will be granted a first-level interview.

The disability and veteran interview preferences do not apply to student employment positions, temporary positions, athletics positions, academic and administrative department heads*, positions that require licensure as a physician, and positions that require that the employee be admitted to practice law in Kansas.

• Heads of Departments refers to any individual holding a primary leadership role responsible for the overall strategic direction, management and operational oversight of a recognized academic or administrative unit within the university.

To learn more about interview preferences at K-State, please visit our interview preferences page .