Director, Agriculture

Role Overview

• Reporting to the Senior Director of U.S. Programs, the Director of US Agriculture leads the domestic agriculture and food systems strategy, operations, and staff to advance its mission and vision.
• This role provides strategic and programmatic direction, represents Wallace Center and Winrock externally, upholds organizational values, and engages in regular collaboration with Wallace Center and Winrock teams.
• Key responsibilities include:
• Provide strategic direction for advancing US agricultural and food systems programming, advancing Wallace Center’s mission to build regenerative, equitable, and resilient food systems.
• Champion innovation, systems learning, and collaboration to drive field leadership and impact.
• Integrate data, outcomes, and partner feedback into continuous program and strategy improvement.
• Oversee financial planning, budgeting, and monitoring to ensure fiscal responsibility and sustainability.
• Track performance and financial health, ensuring accountability to funders, partners, and Winrock.
• Provide inclusive, inspiring leadership that aligns staff around the Center’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop a diverse and high-performing team within a human-centered, collaborative culture.
• Foster teamwork, accountability, and professional fulfillment through clear communication, coaching, and shared purpose.
• Serve as the primary representative of the Wallace Center within Winrock International and across national networks, partnerships, and events.
• Build and sustain strategic, cross-sector relationships that elevate the Center’s visibility and impact.
• Lead a robust, diversified fundraising and partnership strategy to sustain and grow US agriculture work.

Requirements

• Holistic, extensive U.S. agriculture and food system knowledge, experience, and thought-leadership, especially in issues relating to growing the ag-of-the-middle, local and regional food systems, and regenerative agriculture.
• Broad partnership development experience and deep industry relationships, including with leading nonprofits, BIPOC communities, tribal governments, federal and state agencies, funders, and the private sector.
• Proven experience leading and growing teams of talented professionals, including remote teams, while managing organizational priorities and relationships.
• Proven expertise in financial management, with extensive budget development and management responsibilities of multi-project portfolios.
• Deep understanding of the domestic funding landscape, including demonstrated experience in securing and managing diverse funding streams, particularly from the US government and philanthropic sources.
• Demonstrated sector thought leadership highly desirable.
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience required; Master’s Degree preferred.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience, acquired through formal education and/or sector relevant work.

Benefits

• strong benefits package