The Associate Director, Beef Sustainability Research, in collaboration with other team members, will assist in developing and implementing checkoff-funded programs in sustainability research.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions. These examples do not include all of the functions which the employee may be expected to perform.

• With the Senior Director, assist in managing the beef checkoff’s sustainability research projects and budget.
• With the Senior Director, serve as an internal technical resource on how cattle are responsibly and sustainably raised today for staff and external audiences (consumers, influencers, supply chain, etc.). This could be in written or oral (presentation) forms with a focus on the science, but in an easy-to-understand delivery for target audiences.
• Assist in providing critical reviews and interpretation of scientific literature, “study of the day” or media reports related to beef sustainability topics.
• With a collaborative team, assist in providing technical support for dispelling beef sustainability myths.
• With the Sr. Director, build and maintain key relationships with educational institutions and industry partners and organizations engaged in or concerned with beef production today (e.g., academia, extension service, agriculture organizations, allied industry technical representatives, supply chain members, etc.)
• Upon request, serves as a spokesperson, on behalf of the beef checkoff, on the science of beef sustainability.
• With the Sr. Director, provide counsel to partners (industry and state beef councils/affiliates) on the scientific literature related to beef sustainability upon request.
• Strong communication skills both written and oral are required.
• The ability to travel up to 25% is required.
• Other job duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• EDUCATION - A master’s degree in sustainability or closely related field is required. 
• EXPERIENCE – A strong understanding of beef cattle production sectors and current practices is critical.
• EQUIVALENCY - None
• CERTIFICATION(S) – None
• SKILLS- Must be a self-starter with ability to work independently and as part of an integrated team. The ability to successfully engage with beef producers, the scientific community, extension, nutrition and veterinary professionals, allied industry, and consumer or industry influencers will be required on a daily basis.  Collaboration, integrity, personal ethics and the desire to be a “NCBA team player” is essential.