Kansas State University
About This Role
The College of Architecture, Planning & Design (APDesign) at Kansas State University invites applications for Director of the Institute for Community Design and Research (ICDR), a newly established interdisciplinary institute focused on advancing community-based design, planning, and applied research. The Director will lead the development, implementation, and growth of the College’s long-standing commitment to service learning and engaged research, providing leadership and administrative support to sustain these efforts while helping new collaborations grow beyond Kansas and potentially regional and national visibility.
Responsibilities The Director will lead the development, implementation, and growth of ICDR, providing leadership and administrative support to sustain service learning, engaged research, community engagement, design innovation, outreach, and collaboration with Kansas communities.
Minimum Qualifications
Requires a bachelor’s degree and five to ten years of relevant experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Degree in one of the fields within APDesign (architecture, planning, landscape architecture, interior architecture, industrial design, interior design, real estate and community development) and/or a degree in non‑profit leadership, public administration, or similar.
Three years of experience in team leadership, collaboration, and project management.
Experience securing and managing externally‑funded projects or grants.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with an ability to work across disciplines.
Knowledge of the land‑grant university mission and engagement models.
Master’s degree or higher in one of the fields within APDesign (architecture, planning, landscape architecture, interior architecture, industrial design, interior design, real estate and community development) and/or in non‑profit leadership, public administration, or similar.
Demonstrated excellence in securing and managing externally funded, large or multiyear, sustained grants.
Demonstrated excellence in team leadership, collaboration, and project management.
Demonstrated excellence in professional, scholarly, creative, or academic community‑engaged work.
Experience working with rural communities, tribal entities, or underserved communities that lack access to resources or who have limited capacity for design and planning.
Ability to teach a course in an area of the candidate’s expertise as it pertains to the mission of the ICDR.
Experience with engaged research, design pedagogy, and interdisciplinary project‑based learning.
Sponsorship Eligibility Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.
How to Apply Please submit the following documents:
A cover letter addressing qualifications and vision for the Institute.
Academic curriculum vitae.
Names and contact information for three references.
Optional: a brief, curated portfolio (20 pages maximum) of engaged work, administered grants, relevant scholarship, non‑profit leadership, or other evidence that illustrates achievement in the required or preferred qualifications.
Optional: letters of support and other endorsements.
Application Window Applications close on January 15, 2026.
Anticipated Hiring Pay Range $83,000 – $93,000.
To Apply, Please Visit https://careers.k-state.edu/jobs/director-iii-manhattan-
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Responsibilities The Director will lead the development, implementation, and growth of ICDR, providing leadership and administrative support to sustain service learning, engaged research, community engagement, design innovation, outreach, and collaboration with Kansas communities.
Minimum Qualifications
Requires a bachelor’s degree and five to ten years of relevant experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Degree in one of the fields within APDesign (architecture, planning, landscape architecture, interior architecture, industrial design, interior design, real estate and community development) and/or a degree in non‑profit leadership, public administration, or similar.
Three years of experience in team leadership, collaboration, and project management.
Experience securing and managing externally‑funded projects or grants.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with an ability to work across disciplines.
Knowledge of the land‑grant university mission and engagement models.
Master’s degree or higher in one of the fields within APDesign (architecture, planning, landscape architecture, interior architecture, industrial design, interior design, real estate and community development) and/or in non‑profit leadership, public administration, or similar.
Demonstrated excellence in securing and managing externally funded, large or multiyear, sustained grants.
Demonstrated excellence in team leadership, collaboration, and project management.
Demonstrated excellence in professional, scholarly, creative, or academic community‑engaged work.
Experience working with rural communities, tribal entities, or underserved communities that lack access to resources or who have limited capacity for design and planning.
Ability to teach a course in an area of the candidate’s expertise as it pertains to the mission of the ICDR.
Experience with engaged research, design pedagogy, and interdisciplinary project‑based learning.
Sponsorship Eligibility Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.
How to Apply Please submit the following documents:
A cover letter addressing qualifications and vision for the Institute.
Academic curriculum vitae.
Names and contact information for three references.
Optional: a brief, curated portfolio (20 pages maximum) of engaged work, administered grants, relevant scholarship, non‑profit leadership, or other evidence that illustrates achievement in the required or preferred qualifications.
Optional: letters of support and other endorsements.
Application Window Applications close on January 15, 2026.
Anticipated Hiring Pay Range $83,000 – $93,000.
To Apply, Please Visit https://careers.k-state.edu/jobs/director-iii-manhattan-
#J-18808-Ljbffr