The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world’s complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.
This position is located at Cornell AgriTech, the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, in Geneva New York. The Center of Excellence for Food and Agriculture (CoE) is located at AgriTech with a satellite location in Saratoga County.
Funded by NYSTAR through Empire State Development, the CoE accelerates agrifood innovation in New York State by:
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Pushing new technologies toward commercialization
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Pulling companies into the state to collaborate with research and innovation hubs
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Growing existing agriculture and food tech businesses
The CoE plays a vital role in advancing the Cornell CALS and Cornell AgriTech vision and mission to serve as a leading hub for agrifood system innovation across New York and the Northeast.
Position Function
Cornell University, CALS and Cornell AgriTech are committed to economic development in the agrifood sector of New York. We seek a knowledgeable, experienced and creative individual who is also a strategic leader and manager to serve as the Director of the New York Center of Excellence for Food and Agriculture (CoE) at Cornell AgriTech in Geneva, NY. This position reports to the AgriTech Director. The CoE is an economic development hub that supports entrepreneurship through the Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences by connecting startups and existing food, beverage, agriculture and agriculture technology companies with Cornell’s research, innovation, technology and extension services. In addition, the CoE provides business mentoring, networking with resource providers, supply chain assets, training and innovation assets to spark investment and economic growth. The CoE offers laboratory space to private sector agriculture technology and food companies who wish to co-locate on the AgriTech campus. In addition, the CoE partners with the Cornell Agriculture and Food Technology Park (the Tech Farm) that is adjacent to the AgriTech campus to provide services to private sector companies that locate in the agribusiness park.
The CoE Director is responsible for maintaining and building connectivity with Empire State Development NYSTAR program officers, ensuring that the CoE is meeting performance objectives.
In addition to providing leadership for the CoE, the Director will engage in extension activities with stakeholder groups including entrepreneurs, investors, government officials, state government agencies economic development officers, private industry executives, and academic researchers. Cornell AgriTech has a strong history of undergraduate internship programs, and the CoE will be active in educational opportunities to train the next generation of entrepreneurs. The Director will also seek opportunities to write grants and steward additional resources for entrepreneurship focused programming.
Anticipated Division of Time
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50% Leadership, including providing vision and direction for CoE in consultation with CoE staff, Cornell AgriTech Director, CALS, agricultural and food science faculty research programs, and other stakeholders, communicating impacts statewide, day-to-day management, including staff supervision and reporting requirements for the CoE. In addition, cultivating relationships and specific projects with entrepreneurial faculty in CALS and across Cornell.
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25% Extension, including training and entrepreneurship development programs, as well as strategic relationship building with agrifood, technology and innovation partners throughout NYS and beyond to build effective innovation networks for CoE company partners in collaboration with faculty programs.
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15% Research collaborations for industry partners, including coordination with the Associate Dean for Land-Grant Affairs, Cornell CALS Translational Research Programs and the Cornell Center for Regional Economic Advancement on leadership for statewide food and ag entrepreneurship. Also, includes active participation in the AgriTech undergraduate research scholars internship program, mentoring students and leading entrepreneurship discussions.
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10% Fiduciary Responsibilities and grant procurement including grant writing, preparing, and contract oversight and compliance with financial policies.
Required Qualifications
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PhD with 6 or more years of related work experience is required for SrEA or Master’s degree with eight or more years. Related fields include, but not limited to, food science, agricultural science, business and economics.
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Proven track record in successfully leading economic development projects, managing effective teams, developing and collecting impact metrics, and completion of required contract reports.
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Experience with state, local and federal economic development programs and ability to collaborate with other higher education and NGO incubator, accelerator, innovation hot spots, prize competitions, and business mentorship programs.
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Proficiency in extension, networking and communicating with a wide range of groups and individuals.
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Experience with academic research, and/or experience in working in commercialization strategies and entrepreneurship education for academic practitioners.
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Experience in working with undergraduate and graduate student interns.
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While some flexibility is allowed, this is not a remote or hybrid position. Must be physically present on the Cornell AgriTech campus, while also being prepared to engage with and travel to academic campus’, entrepreneurs, and start-ups on the Ithaca campus, satellite locations, and across the state. Three to five days a month of travel required.
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Valid driver's license to be cleared to drive for University business and register with Agile/Fleet Commander.
Preferred qualifications
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Founded (co-founded) a startup or managed a business, particularly one related to food or agriculture
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Prior experience mentoring startups
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Substantial experience working in/familiarity with the food and agriculture sector
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Experience in academic entrepreneurship and commercialization
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Ph.D in related field preferred
Supervision Exercised
The CoE Director is expected to supervise the CoE staff including business development specialist and manager, project associates, extension support specialists, marketing and communication coordinator and administrative assistant staff which are located at Cornell AgriTech and at the Saratoga County satellite location. The Director will also supervise undergraduate and graduate interns.
This is an in-person position. The successful candidate will be expected to relocate to within commuting distance of Geneva, NY. Relocation assistance is not available. Finalists for this position will be asked to sign an affidavit that they have not been found to have violated employer policies at their previous institutions.
To apply:
Please apply via Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/31329
Qualified candidates should submit a short cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references via the website.
CALS hiring range for this title is $125,000 to $140,000.
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Life. Changing.
Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League and Land-grant university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.
Cornell’s regional and global presence includes state-wide Cornell Cooperative Extension programs and offices in all counties and boroughs, global partnerships with institutions and communities engaged in life-changing research and education, the medical college’s campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, and the Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.
With a founding principle of “any person, any study,” Cornell is an equal opportunity employer.
Pay Range:
Refer to Posting Language
Pay Ranges:
The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:
Prior relevant work or industry experience.
Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position.
Academic Discipline
Unique applicable skills.
Employment Assistance:
For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email [email protected].
If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at [email protected].
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Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
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2025-12-04
