About This Role

The College of Architecture, Planning & Design (APDesign) at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS invites applications for the position of Director of the Institute for Community Design and Research at K-State (ICDR), a newly established, interdisciplinary institute focused on advancing community-based design, planning, and applied research in service to Kansas.

The Director will lead the development, implementation, and growth of the College’s long-standing commitment to service learning and engaged research. The Institute will provide leadership and administrative support to sustain these existing efforts, while helping new efforts and collaborations to grow beyond Kansas. More about APDesign’s Community Engagement can be found at https://apdesign.k-state.edu/research/community-engagement.

The Institute will be a hub for design innovation, outreach, and collaboration with Kansas’s communities. The position offers a unique opportunity to shape a statewide and potentially regional model for revitalization through design, while building national visibility for the college and university, in line with K-State’s Next-Gen Strategic Plan and Land Grant mission.

About Us

The College of Architecture, Planning & Design at Kansas State University is a national leader in design education with a mission of preparing students for meaningful contributions to the built environment and society. All three departments within APDesign engage in community-centered projects on a regular basis. With nationally ranked programs and a legacy of civic engagement, APDesign is committed to design excellence and community service.

Worksite Description

This position is On-site.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires a bachelor's degree and five to 10 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:

• Applications should include at a minimum:
  
  • A cover letter addressing qualifications and vision for the Institute
  • Academic curriculum vitae
  • Names and contact information for three references

Candidates may also include 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. They may also include letters of support and other endorsements.

Application Window

Applications close on: January 15, 2026

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

$83,000-93,000