Department Head - Horticultural Science

Overview

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University invites applications for the position of Head of the Department of Horticultural Science. We seek an engaging, collaborative, and strategic leader committed to advancing excellence in teaching, research, and Extension while fostering a vibrant, collaborative, and forward-looking departmental culture. The Head provides visionary and decisive leadership, mentors faculty, staff, and Extension professionals across on-campus and off-campus locations statewide, and stewarding departmental resources.

The successful candidate will advance a future-focused vision for innovative research, enrollment growth, and high-impact Extension programming; strengthen statewide Extension efforts; and serve as a connector between horticultural science and university-wide research initiatives.

The Head’s office and administrative home of Horticulture Science is located on the main campus in Raleigh, with responsibilities also at NC State facilities in Kannapolis, Mills River, and Raleigh, and other NC State research and extension facilities in North Carolina.

Key responsibilities are:

• Provide strategic and administrative leadership for all departmental teaching, research, and Extension programs.
• Advance a clear vision for program growth, innovation, and national visibility in horticultural science.
• Recruit, mentor, evaluate, and support faculty, staff, and Extension professionals across on-campus and off-campus locations statewide.
• Oversee departmental budgets, personnel, facilities, and resources, ensuring effective stewardship and accountability.
• Strengthen undergraduate and graduate academic programs, research productivity, and high-impact Extension programming.
• Foster collaboration within the department, centers, consortia and other NC State units, including participation in university-wide research initiatives.
• Serve as the primary representative of the department to college and university leadership, industry partners, commodity groups, alumni, and stakeholders.
• Lead development and fundraising efforts to support departmental initiatives, distinguished professorships, graduate student fellowships, and student opportunities.
• Make timely, informed decisions and address complex or challenging issues in support of departmental goals.

Other Responsibilities

• Other tasks and responsibilities may be assigned based on the needs of the organization and evolving priorities.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Ph.D. degree in Horticultural Science or a closely related discipline and credentials commensurate with appointment to the rank of Professor with tenure.

Other Required Qualifications

• Record of outstanding professional achievement in the field with working knowledge of current developments in the discipline.
• A demonstrated record of program extramural funding and knowledge of funding opportunities.
• Be committed to excellence in teaching, research and extension appropriate to a land-grant university.
• Record of success in administrative and personnel management.
• Be able to communicate effectively with faculty, staff, students, administrators, commodity groups and the public.

Preferred Qualifications

• N/A

Required Licenses/Certifications

• Valid NC driver’s license or the ability to obtain within 60 days of start.

There are also references to valid/ Commercial Driver's License requirements in the original text; these have been incorporated as appropriate in the Licenses section above.

• Posting Number: PG194450EP
• Internal Recruitment:
  Yes
• Working Title:
  
  Department Head - Horticultural Science
• Anticipated Hiring Range:
  Commensurate with Experience
• Work Schedule:
  
  Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm; other hours as required
• Job Location:
  
  Raleigh, NC (main campus) with duties at associated NC State facilities

In order to be considered, applicants must provide the following:

• A two-page statement of vision for leadership of the department (Other Document
  1)
• Name and contact information for three professional references.

Posting Dates and Additional Information:

• Job Open Date: 02/03/2026
• Application close date:
  Anticipated Close Date

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations during the application and interview process are welcome to contact the Office of Equal Opportunity at .

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