Job Details

Director of the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development

Position Number: 6972385
Location: Athens, GA
Position Type: Extension and Outreach

Director of the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development

University of Georgia

Posting Details
Posting Number: F2662P

Working Title: Director of the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development

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EEO Policy Statement
The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

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Position Summary

Director of the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development

University of Georgia

The Vice President for Public Service and Outreach of the University of Georgia (UGA) invites applications and nominations for the position of director of the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development (Fanning Institute). The University of Georgia, a land-grant and sea-grant institution, is an international leader in outreach programming and statewide engagement. As part of UGA's outreach mission, the division of Public Service and Outreach (PSO) works to help create jobs and prosperity, develop the state's leaders, and solve critical statewide challenges. More information can be found at: www.outreach.uga.edu.

The Fanning Institute is dedicated to strengthening communities, organizations, and individuals through leadership development, training, and education. The institute designs and delivers a wide variety of community leadership programs and services focused on adult, youth, and non-profit audiences. Information regarding the Fanning Institute, one of eight UGA PSO units, can be found at: https://www.fanning.uga.edu.

Position Overview

The director of the Fanning Institute provides overall leadership and management of the unit, including responsibility for the administrative, budgetary, and programmatic operations of the institute and supervising Fanning Institute faculty and staff. The position reports directly to the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach, is a member of PSO's senior leadership team, and is based on UGA's main campus in Athens, Georgia.

In addition to providing overall leadership of the Fanning Institute, the director serves as the institute's representative within the university community and to a broad range of external clients and stakeholders. Applicants should have extensive experience in developing and managing programs that assist communities with their leadership development needs. The successful candidate will have effective communication and interpersonal skills as well as an appreciation for the complexities involved in working on varied issues in a public setting.

This is an administrative, non-tenure track Senior Public Service Associate faculty appointment.

Responsibilities:

Serves as the Director of the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, a Public Service and Outreach unit of the flagship, land- and sea-grant University of Georgia.

Responsible for the overall strategic direction and programmatic operations of the institute in fulfillment of its mission to strengthen communities, organizations, and individuals through leadership development.

Leads a team of currently 12 interdisciplinary faculty, 13 administrative staff, and multiple graduate and undergraduate students in designing, delivering, and evaluating a variety of leadership programs that focus on community, youth, and non-profit audiences.

Responsible for developing the institute's long-term strategic plan consistent with the institutional priorities of Public Service and Outreach and the University of Georgia.

Responsible for developing and monitoring a multi-million-dollar annual budget ($10.3 million in FY26) that is consistent with the institute's strategic priorities.

Oversees all hiring decisions and personnel matters.

Works to expand the institute's reach to new audiences throughout the state.

Oversees periodic updates to programming and curriculum to effectively respond to changing needs in Georgia.

Responsible for all development activities of the institute to attract private and philanthropic investment in the institute's programs and work.

Responsible for development of grants to support Fanning's work in serving communities.

Maintains strong working relationships with a broad array of clients and constituencies outside the university to include chambers of commerce, community-based organizations, the utility companies, and non-profit associations.

Represents the institute within the university community and has strong working relationships with other public service and outreach directors, the Fanning Institute Advisory Board, as well as deans and administrators across the university's 20 schools and colleges.

Fosters strong relationships with academic faculty at the University of Georgia and other University System of Georgia institutions to advance Fanning's mission.

Serves on various university and statewide committees relevant to work of the Institute.

Required/Minimum Qualifications:

A master's degree.

Relevant/Preferred Education and Experience:

A terminal degree.

A track record of executive level leadership managing a large staff and complex fiscal portfolio.

A track record of using data to monitor and evaluate program effectiveness.

A track record in applied research and scholarly activities.

A track record of successful fundraising.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and/or Competencies:

A deep knowledge and understanding of communities and the importance of leadership development in community vitality.

Strong knowledge of and extensive background in leadership development, community development, or organizational development.

A demonstrated understanding of the land- and sea-grant mission of a large public institution of higher education such as the University of Georgia.

A commitment to maintaining the highest standards of excellence and integrity in delivering community leadership programs and services.

Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia's oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton.

UGA employs approximately 3,300 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 43,000 students including over 32,300 undergraduates and over 10,700 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 20 schools and colleges, including our newly formed School of Medicine.

As one of the top public universities in the nation, UGA offers a culture of academic excellence and opportunity made all the richer by our renowned faculty, community of scholar-citizens, and vibrant student life program.

Applications: Applicant screening will begin immediately. Candidates are encouraged to submit their materials by Sunday, April 26, 2026; however, screening will continue until the position is filled. The application packet should include a cover letter detailing how the applicant's credentials and experience meet the needs, responsibilities, and qualifications stated above; a current resume; and contact information for three references (who will not be contacted without further correspondence with the applicant).

All applicants must apply online at https://www.ugajobsearch.com. Please see the job posting at: https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/470102.

To provide a nomination or seek additional information, please contact Paige Gates, Primary Consultant with the UGA Search Group, 706-542-5230 or paige.gates@uga.edu. Letters of recommendation or a simple nomination should include the name and contact information for the nominee.

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and
Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

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Is driving a responsibility of this position?

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Recruitment Contact Email: mreiter@uga.edu

Recruitment Contact Phone (706) 542-6819
To apply, please visit: https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/470102