Head of department Jobs in Raleigh, NC

Posting Number:

PG194450EP

Internal Recruitment :

No

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

Department :

Horticultural Science

About the Department:

North Carolina State University is a land-grant institution with strong research, teaching, and extension programs in the agricultural and life sciences. Current University enrollment is 40,503 with greater than 28,000 undergraduate and 10,000 graduate students. The Horticultural Science Department currently consists of 32 faculty members having the rank of assistant, associate or full professor, 3 full-time non-tenure track professionals, and 53 exempt professional staff and 34 SHRA employees. The Department is well known for its excellence in academic programs and offers the following degree programs: two-year Associate, Bachelor of Science, Master of Horticultural Science (non-thesis), Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy, undergraduate Certificate, and Masters Certificate. Current Departmental student enrollment includes 47 students in the associate degree program, 189 students in the undergraduate program and 63 graduate students.

NC State Horticulture is nationally and internationally recognized as an outstanding Department with fully integrated programs in teaching, research and extension. Areas of expertise include biotechnology, horticultural pest management, plant breeding and genetics, fruit production, floriculture, greenhouse production, nursery production, weed science, urban horticulture, landscape design and construction management, business management, specialty crop production, organic and sustainable agriculture, and vegetable production. Nearly half of the faculty in the Department are actively involved with extension programming to support North Carolina producers of tree fruit crops, small fruit crops, vegetable crops, nursery/landscape crops, floriculture, landscape design, consumer horticulture, 4-H youth, new crop development and the Master Gardener program.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits:

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.
What we offer:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• And so much more!
  
  

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

Essential Job Duties:

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University (NC State) 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 is responsible for providing visionary and decisive leadership, serve as a strong mentor for faculty, staff, and Extension professionals across on-campus and off-campus locations statewide, and support their success while 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 emerging university-wide research initiatives.

As the department’s lead representative, the Head will build and sustain strong relationships with commodity groups, industry partners, alumni, and donors. The Head will play an active role in development efforts that support new departmental initiatives, distinguished professorships, graduate student fellowships, and enhanced student opportunities and serve as the lead representative in interactions with College and University administrators, industry and commodity groups, and consumers. The Department Head will have the unique and exciting opportunity to shape the future of the Horticulture program at NCSU, capitalizing on a significant generational transition of faculty expected over the next few years. The Department Head is expected to promote collaborations and partnerships with other College and University departments as well as state, national, and international agencies to position the Department as global leaders in their discipline.
The Head’s office and administrative home of Horticulture Science is located on the main campus of NC State University in Raleigh. This position will further have responsibilities with Horticulture departmental faculty, staff, and students with duty stations located at the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis, the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center in Mills River, the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, and other NC State University research and extension facilities within 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, consortiums 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 have 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 License(s) or Certification(s):

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

Valid NC Driver's License required:

Yes

Commercial Driver's License required:

No

Job Open Date:

02/03/2026

Anticipated Close Date:

Open Until Filled

Special Instructions to Applicants:

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

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

Position Number:

00000158

Position Type:

Exempt Professional Staff

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week):

0.60 to 1.00

Appointment:

12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather:

Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events:

Mandatory - Medical Emergencies

Department ID:

111501 - Horticultural Science

EEO:

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 disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.