Director of the School of Natural Resources and the Environment

The University of Arizona seeks a Director of the School of Natural Resources and the Environment

Click here to view full position profile:  https://summitsearchsolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/UArizona_Director_SNRE_Profile.pdf

Location: Tucson, Arizona

The Position:

The University of Arizona (UArizona) School of Natural Resources and the Environment (SNRE) seeks an enthusiastic, innovative, growth-minded, and entrepreneurial Director to lead one of UArizona’s largest and most complex schools. The new director will build upon a tradition of excellence to grow SNRE’s reach, profile, and programming, working closely with nine college academic unit heads, academic unit heads in other colleges, seven associate/assistant deans, the Cooperative Extension Director, Director of International Initiatives, Associate Vice President for Advancement, Advocacy, Alumni Affairs and Corporate Relations, and the Dean of the Rogers College of Law.  

Reporting directly to the Vice President & Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the Director will manage a budget of approximately $10M in payroll and operating expenses and oversee the School’s 250 employees, including 36 faculty (including four Extension specialists). The director is supported by two associate directors who manage graduate and undergraduate affairs, four faculty program chairs who manage faculty annual performance reviews, a business office with eight staff members including financial and IT professionals, and a four-person advising team. 

The Director is responsible for:

  • Building and leading all aspects of the School.
  • Driving additional excellence in enrollment, programming, advancement, and partnerships.
  • Increasing and maintaining connections with private, state, and federal agencies.
  • Working with commercial and governmental partners in funded projects.
  • Partnering with donors and community organizations to secure philanthropic funding.
  • Leading financial and budget administration for the School.
  • Recruiting diverse students and faculty.
  • Advocating for an inclusive environment.
  • The School Director, who will have both College and Extension appointments, will be a proven entrepreneurial and innovative leader with demonstrated excellence and outstanding achievements warranting a tenured appointment as Full Professor.

Required Qualifications:

  • A terminal degree and experience commensurate with a full professor. 
  • A track record of successful leadership, management, and accountability for an academic or research organization.  
  • History of successfully working with a broad diversity of stakeholder groups, such as federal and state agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector.  
  • Experience with advocacy efforts and with effectively interacting with alumni, corporations, and advisory board members or a skillset suitable for these activities 
  • Evidence of securing and maintaining philanthropic support or a skillset suitable for these activities. 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

  • Exemplary communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Collaborative leadership with impeccable integrity.
  • Proven innovative and entrepreneurial leadership and management skills.
  • Experience with finance and budgeting in a growth-oriented environment.
  • Experience overseeing undergraduate and graduate instructional programs.
  • Experience with Cooperative Extensions and relating these activities to all external stakeholders and user groups.
  • Leadership focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Why Consider the Opportunity?

  • Excellence: A highly productive and committed faculty and staff.
  • Impact:  Opportunity and support for entrepreneurial growth and development.
  • Location: Tucson offers unparalleled opportunities for partnerships and research. It is the epicenter for issues related to the School.
  • Exceptional facilities: The School is housed in a modern, advanced environmental science building built in 2015.
  • Professional development: The Division is committed to the development of its faculty and staff.
  • Autonomy: The position offers the opportunity to manage and lead the School, including all finances.
  • Support: The School has a dedicated support team, including dedicated budget and development officers.
  • Benefits: UArizona benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; sick leave, and holidays; UArizona/Arizona State University/Northern Arizona University tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; state and optional retirement plans; and access to UArizona recreation and cultural activities.
  • Work-Life balance: The University of Arizona has been recognized for innovative work-life programs. At the following link you can get more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocation services: https://talent.arizona.edu/

School of Natural Resources and the Environment

The School of Natural Resources and the Environment (SNRE) is a world leader in pursuing science that informs how environmental change impacts arid and semi-arid systems and how best to adapt to related challenges. The School is a cohort of students, faculty, and staff who take great pride in a focus on problem-driven research, teaching, and extension encompassing all aspects of environmental stewardship. SNRE research answers important questions about how ecosystems respond under environmental or human pressures and develops strategies to help mitigate the effects of these pressures, helping to create and maintain healthy and sustainable ecological systems. SNRE research is supported by a variety of awards from federal, state, and industry, averaging between $9-14M each year over the last 5 years. To learn more about the School of Natural Resources and the Environment, go to https://nature.arizona.edu/ .

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

SNRE is part of The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), which features a diverse education and research portfolio including:

Uniquely positioned in the southern Arizona desert, the College offers solutions to problems affecting much of the world in the 21st century and continues to build on its heritage of advancing the frontiers of science to improve the human condition.

College Leadership

Dr. Shane Burgess serves as the Vice President for the Division of Agriculture, Life and Veterinary Sciences, and Cooperative Extension and the Charles-Sander Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the University of Arizona.

Under Shane’s leadership, the division launched the Yuma Center of Excellence in Desert Agriculture and the Gary and Barbara Pasquinelli Career Center. He also led the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in the creation of new undergraduate degrees in Biosystems Analytics and Technology, Food Safety, Nutrition and Food Systems, and Personal and Family Financial Planning.

About the University of Arizona

Established in 1885, the University of Arizona (UArizona), the state's land-grant university, is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. Recognized as a global leader, and classified as a Carnegie R-1, UArizona conducts more than $687 million in annual research expenditures and is currently ranked in the top 40 among all public universities surveyed according to U.S. News & World Report.

The University of Arizona demonstrates diversity in every area with 24% of graduates being students of color. In fact, the graduate programs demonstrate exceptional diversity as enrollment is the most diverse among all public institutions belonging to the Association of American Universities. UArizona is ranked #1 in the number of PhDs awarded to Native American students and #9 in the number of PhDs awarded to Hispanic students.

To learn more about the University of Arizona: https://www.arizona.edu/

Procedure for Candidacy:

Confidential review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled; parties who apply by February 13th will be given first consideration. Interested candidates should submit a curriculum vitae and a letter that describes their reason for interest and indicates the ways in which their experience aligns with the qualifications and key responsibilities of the role.

To apply online, go to: https://theapplicantmanager.com/jobs?pos=su343

For more information or to offer recommendations or nominations:

Caitlin Hummel
Senior Consultant
Summit Search Solutions, Inc.
Direct: (585) 880-7550
chummel@summitsearchsolutions.com

At the University of Arizona, we value our inclusive climate because we know that diversity in experiences and perspectives is vital to advancing innovation, critical thinking, solving complex problems, and creating an inclusive academic community. As a Hispanic-serving institution, we translate these values into action by seeking individuals who have experience and expertise working with diverse students, colleagues, and constituencies. Because we seek a workforce with a wide range of perspectives and experiences, we provide equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. As an Employer of National Service, we also welcome alumni of AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service programs and others who will help us advance our Inclusive Excellence initiative aimed at creating a university that values student, staff and faculty engagement in addressing issues of diversity and inclusiveness.