Job Description
Title: Vice President for Research & Coalition Development (VPRCD)
Department: Research & Coalition Development
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Effective Date: December 30, 2025
Location: Moscow, Idaho; frequent travel required
Role Overview
The Vice President for Research & Coalition Development (VPRCD) is a strategic leader responsible for advancing the pulse industry’s research agenda and strengthening coalition membership growth and retention. This role oversees industry research programming, the Pulse Crop Health Initiative (PCHI) and Pulse Quality Network (PQN) research portfolio, crop improvement and protection priorities, variety release and licensing, and a modernized research database/website. The position also leads coalition development programming, annual member events, and board/committee support, while also ensuring compliance, impact, and alignment with USA Pulses’ mission to double consumption and production of U.S. pulse crops.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Planning: Lead planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of Research and Membership strategy; set annual objectives and KPIs aligned to Board priorities.
Research Oversight: Lead industry research portfolio, seed varietal release/licensing program, crop protection strategy and USDA and University advisory/grant partnerships.
Research Data & Dissemination: Maintain searchable research database/website; establish dissemination standards (reports, briefs, webinars).
Membership Development: Lead coalition-building strategy, recruitment campaigns, dues processes, engagement journeys, and retention programming.
Budget & Compliance: Co-lead annual budget planning; ensure adherence to USA Pulses and USDA compliance requirements (contracts, documentation, audits).
Governance & Committee Liaison: Serve as primary staff liaison to specified Boards and Committees; prepare agendas, materials, and ensure governance compliance.
Staff Leadership: Supervise Director of Research & Seed Management, Member Services Director, and any additional support staff as may be deemed necessary by CEO.
International Collaboration: Partner with global organizations to reduce duplication and advance USA Pulses strategy and goals.
Communications & Visibility: Publish research outcomes and member value stories through reports, websites, and social media.
Travel: Frequent travel required in accordance with USDA regulations and USA Pulses guidelines.
Minimum Qualifications
• Education: BS/BA or MS/MA (agronomy/plant science, food science, agricultural economics, public administration, or related field).
• Experience: 5-8 years leading agricultural research programs and/or nonprofit/coalition management.
• Demonstrated success in budget development and administration, grant/funding management, and program compliance.
• Strong oral and written communication skills; ability to translate technical findings into stakeholder-friendly insights.
• Proficiency with data systems, analytics, and modern collaboration tools (e.g., MS Office; database/web CMS, Zoom, CRM, etc.).
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with agricultural research, agronomy, seed varietal release/licensing, crop protection, food science, USDA research grants.
• Coalition development experience, working with volunteer grower/trade boards and committees; board governance familiarity.
• Knowledge of USDA compliance and records management; audit preparation experience.
• Familiarity with pulse crops and the food manufacturing supply chain.
• Proficiency in leveraging AI tools and technologies (e.g., ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, data analytics automation) to improve research workflows, membership engagement, and operational efficiency.
About USA Pulses
Mission: We are an innovative group of organizations united to increase consumption and production of U.S. pulse crops.
Vision: Short Term: To double pulse crop consumption and production. Long Term: To establish USA pulses as a major crop in our food production system by providing high quality, nutrient dense and sustainable foods that will improve human and environmental health.
Values: We believe pulses have a positive impact on people and the planet. We believe USA Pulses can help end world hunger, revolutionize our food system, improve diet quality, lower carbon and water use, support family farms, and improve soil, water, and planetary health.
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