Director, Agricultural Resiliency

Organization: Greater MSP

Apply to: www.greatermsp.org/

Posted: October 8, 2025 • Open until filled

GREATER MSP TEAM: MBOLD
REPORTS TO: Managing Director, MBOLD?
ROLE STATUS: Full-Time, Exempt (Salaried)
SALARY RANGE: $145-170k

GREATER MSP PARTNERSHIP

GREATER MSP is a cross-sector partnership of more than 300 leading businesses, cities, universities, counties, foundations, and community organizations. The mission of the GREATER MSP Partnership is to grow the economy of the 15-county Minneapolis-Saint Paul region and create economic opportunity for all residents of the region. To do this, our partnership is executing a comprehensive regional economic development strategy focused on growing jobs, talent, and capital across the region. Learn more about GREATER MSP at www.greatermsp.org

MBOLD

GREATER MSP is building the next economy through industry-led coalitions and innovation hubs. MBOLD was created to strengthen the region’s global leadership in the food and ag space. The MBOLD Coalition mobilizes Minnesota’s globally leading concentration of food and agriculture leadership to accelerate practical solutions to global challenges facing food and agriculture, particularly related to climate change and growing global demand for food. Our members include companies operating across the food and agriculture value chain including General Mills, Cargill, Target, Schwan’s and Compeer Financial as well as innovators and nonprofits like the University of Minnesota, the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute and Naturally Minnesota. Our members reach consumers in more than 125 countries around the globe, with collective revenues exceeding $300 billion annually.

MBOLD is dedicated to leveraging the unique capabilities of our members and partners to solve global challenges through market-oriented, pre-competitive collaboration. Our current portfolio includes initiatives to advance adoption of regenerative agriculture practices, drive innovation with plant and animal proteins, help high-growth protein innovation companies scale-up, and drive circularity in plastic packaging.

P OSITION SUMMARY

This is a key leadership position that will play a central role in driving and executing MBOLD’s work to advance resiliency in Midwest agriculture including adoption of regenerative agriculture practices, the development of innovative crop insurance products and other market-oriented agriculture and strategies to be developed (approximately 80% of the role). This role will also encompass agriculture-adjacent areas of MBOLD’s protein sustainability initiative (approx. 20%). This position plays a critical role in leading effective execution of MBOLD’s current soil health portfolio and strategic development for the next phases of our work in agricultural resiliency as we mobilize the capabilities of MBOLD members and partners to deploy primarily market-based levers to foster greater climate and supply chain resiliency on the agricultural landscape.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Achieving Strategic Impact

  • Direct MBOLD’s existing soil health and water stewardship portfolio including project execution and partner engagement to optimize impact and effective engagement by MBOLD in the Upper Midwest soil health ecosystem
  • Contribute to execution of adjacent MBOLD protein sustainability efforts, particularly including initiatives to advance incorporation of alternative crops into animal feed and other areas as may be identified, in collaboration with partners
  • Co-design the future of MBOLD’s efforts to drive greater climate and supply chain resiliency on the agricultural landscape and adjacent protein crop development efforts in conjunction with MBOLD’s Managing Director and with input from partners and priority stakeholders

Driving Stakeholder Engagement + Trend Spotting

  • Develop and nurture relationships with current and prospective partners and allied organizations
  • Serve as lead representative for MBOLD in the regenerative agriculture space, engage in representational work in adjacent protein innovation sectors and with other regional and national communities
  • Identify current and emerging issues relevant to the above areas of concern to inform our work, partnership opportunities and strategies
  • Support public communications about related work in collaboration with MBOLD Project Manager, Managing Director and GREATER MSP Communications staff.

Advancing Organizational Success

  • Direct related work by outside vendors, partners and MBOLD staff as appropriate
  • Support related fundraising efforts including strategy design, proposal development, funder relations, etc.
  • Engage in other work to advance the success of MBOLD’s agenda overall as assigned
  • Leverage opportunities to align with other priorities and work across the GREATER MSP Partnership, including connecting with and supporting shared learning with other GREATER MSP leaders.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience:

  • 7-10 years of relevant professional experience required such as corporate environmental responsibility, regenerative agriculture at scale, or commodity supply chain innovation
  • 3-5+ years of leadership experience working with diverse teams or coalitions
  • Undergraduate degree in business, economics, agriculture, environmental sciences or related field required
  • Graduate degree preferred

Required Skills:

  • Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategies to advance climate and supply chain resiliency at scale in the agricultural sector and driving progress toward related corporate sustainability ambitions
  • Understanding of agricultural production, supply chains and associated market dynamics as they relate to both commodity agriculture and the scaling of novel crops
  • Understanding of corporate ESG strategies, success factors and challenges a plus
  • Proven ability to form trusting, catalytic relationships with a diverse set of industry and agricultural stakeholders
  • Strong leadership skills, including ability to influence others without direct authority toward shared results
  • Excellent organizational, problem solving, planning and critical thinking skills with the flexibility to respond to shifting priorities and new opportunities
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Proficient in MS Office Suite

Key Attributes for Success:

  • A passion for solving challenges and content knowledge in the agricultural and corporate sustainability spaces; existing relevant relationships a plus

C ULTURAL COMPETENCIES & COMMITMENT

  • Entrepreneurial mindset with proactive initiative
  • High integrity and humility in delivering quality work and driven by values
  • Strong cross-cultural competency and deep commitment to inclusion
  • Collaborative, dependable and solution-oriented team player
  • Energized by complex challenges and adaptable in dynamic environments
  • Resilient and resourceful, doesn’t give up easily and thrives under pressure
  • Well-organized and accountable, ready to take on added responsibility

WORK ENVIRONMENT

To perform work successfully, the employee must demonstrate the skills, competencies, and capabilities required to carry out each responsibility effectively. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions

Employment Expectations

  • This job description is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities associated with the position. Additional duties may be assigned to support organizational goals

Physical Demands

  • Lift/move up to 30 lbs occasionally
  • Prolonged sitting at a computer or handling data entry
  • Occasional walking, standing, climbing stairs, and driving to meetings or events

Office Conditions

  • Typical office space with shared desks and moderate noise levels
  • Temperature-controlled and compliant with OSHA safety rules
  • Emergency procedures and hazard reporting in place

Travel Requirements

  • Reliable transportation needed for travel
  • There may be some travel required to events/conferences as needed

Health & Safety

  • Safety protocols align with CDC and state guidelines
  • Wellness-focused perks such as flexible breaks, mental health days, PTO are encouraged
  • Employees are expected to report hazards and participate in safety drills

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please submit a cover letter and resume at: www.greatermsp.org

GREAT MISSION. GREAT PEOPLE.

GREATER MSP connects top talent with engaging career opportunities by offering a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a generous benefit package.

GREATER MSP PARTNERSHIP VALUES

Accountability | Alignment | Inclusion | Innovation | Transparency

GREATER MSP is an Equal Opportunity and At-Will Employer, complying with all federal and state laws. We are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive environment. Together we are greater!