Associate Director, Component Relations

Job Title: Associate Director, Component Relations

Location: Madison, WI (onsite), with occasional travel for meetings and conferences

Position Type: Full-time, Exempt

Reports To: Chief Administrative Officer

Organization Overview:

The American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), and Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) are professional organizations dedicated to advancing the science of agronomy, crop science, and soil science. These organizations play a pivotal role in providing certification programs that help professionals across these disciplines meet industry standards and enhance their careers. The Associate Director, Component Relations will manage and continuously improve the working relationships with boards and volunteers engaged with our certification programs including the International Certified Crop Adviser (ICCA) program, the Certified Professional Soil Scientist (CPSS), and the Associate Professional Soil Scientist (APSS) and related specialty certifications.

Position Overview:

The Associate Director, Component Relations will be responsible for managing and overseeing the work with governing bodies across our certification programs. This includes the International Certified Crop Adviser (ICCA) program, which was developed in collaboration with agribusiness retail dealers, cooperatives, manufacturers, the USDA, and independent consultants, as well as the Certified Professional Soil Scientist (CPSS) and Associate Professional Soil Scientist (APSS) certifications. The Associate Director will ensure that our volunteers and governing boards are working together with our societies to develop experiences and programs for our certified professionals and those seeking certification, working closely with local boards, industry partners, and internal staff to ensure that our certification programs maintain currency with industry dynamics and are appropriately promoted to all relevant external audiences.

Key Responsibilities:

• Program Management:

o Oversee the day-to-day management of the systems and processes associated with the CCA, CPSS, APSS, and specialty certification programs, ensuring the work of local boards along with internal functions are aligned with organizational goals and meet the needs of the program and associated professionals

o Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of certification processes and make recommendations for improvements, including and especially associated technology platforms.

o Manage the development, maintenance, and periodic review of certification standards, ensuring they reflect current industry trends, research, and regulatory requirements.

o Collaborate with industry partners, including agribusinesses, trade associations, and government agencies, to ensure the certifications remain relevant and respected in the field.

• Board Engagement:

o Work collaboratively with ICCA Executive Committee and local/regional boards to ensure that CCA policies and procedures are in alignment with the needs of the program and that all parties—most notably CCA boards and their administrators— adhere to those policies and procedures.

o Work with CCA boards, employers, universities, and others to ensure that general needs of CCAs are understood and that programs and services are developed, refined, and implemented to meet those needs.

o Monitor the performance of CCA boards to ensure basic expectations are met; develop incentives to encourage CCA boards to take their performance to a higher level.

o Work with Director of Governance in the scheduling and management of meetings and governance-related activities associated with certification programs.

o Explore opportunities to develop materials, resources, and tactics that appropriately support certification programs, including development of associated business plans.

• Stakeholder Engagement:

o Act as the primary liaison for stakeholders involved in certification programs, including candidates, certification committees, subject matter experts, and industry groups. o Coordinate with the CCA Steering Committee, comprised of representatives from agribusiness, trade associations, USDA, and consultants, to ensure the ICCA program aligns with market needs.

o Foster relationships with educational institutions, governmental agencies, employers, and professional organizations to increase the visibility and value of certifications.

o Provide guidance and support to certification candidates through the application, examination, and renewal processes with support from the Support Center.

• Marketing and Outreach: o Working with Marketing, develop marketing strategy and corresponding resources and tactics to promote certification programs to key audiences. o Organize and participate in conferences, webinars, and other outreach activities to raise awareness about the ICCA, CPSS, APSS, and specialty certifications.

o Collaborate with Senior Manager for Educational Programs, Membership Strategist, and others in the guide the development of educational materials of interest to CCAs and CPSSs as well as candidates in certification programs.

• Data Management and Reporting:

o Track and analyze program performance, including application rates, exam pass rates, renewal rates, and candidate feedback, providing regular reports to leadership.

o Maintain accurate records of certified professionals, ensuring compliance with certification standards and regulations. o Monitor and assess industry trends, emerging technologies, and new regulatory requirements to ensure ASA, CSSA, and SSSA certification programs remain cutting-edge and credible.

Qualifications: * Education:

o Bachelor’s degree in agronomy, crop science, soil science, education, or a related field. A master’s degree or relevant certification is preferred.

* Experience:

o Minimum of 5 years of experience in program management, education, or certification, with at least 2 years in a leadership or supervisory role.

o Experience in a professional association or membership-based organization is a plus. o Experience working in the Agricultural industry, Extension and/or government agency a plus. o Familiarity with certification bodies or accreditation processes, particularly in agriculture, crop science, or soil science fields, is highly preferred.

o Experience working with certification programs such as International Certified Crop Adviser (ICCA), Certified Professional Soil Scientist (CPSS), and Associate Professional Soil Scientist (APSS) is highly desirable.

* Skills and Competencies:

o Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and coordinate cross-functional teams.

o Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders effectively.

o Strong analytical and data management skills, including experience with tracking program metrics and generating reports.

o In-depth knowledge of the agronomy, crop science, or soil science industries and the professional certification landscape.

o Proficiency with certification management software, Protech and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Preferred Qualifications:

* Certification:

o Certified Professional Agronomist (CPAg),

Certified Crop Adviser (CCA),

Certified Professional Soil Scientist (CPSS), or similar industry-recognized credentials.

* Additional Experience:

o Experience with the development or oversight of high-stakes certification exams.

o Familiarity with the development of continuing education programs or professional development resources for certification candidates

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• agronomy, crops, or soils: 10 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• (CPAg), (CCA), (CPSS), credentials (Preferred)

Location:

• Madison, WI (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $75,000