NAFSI Hub Data Infrastructure & Program Manager

The NAFSI Hub Data Infrastructure & Program Manager will oversee both the operational and technical coordination of the Hub, ensuring smooth collaboration among various partners while driving the development and integration of our data infrastructure. This position requires exceptional project management skills, a deep appreciation for use-inspired research, and the ability to bridge technical, administrative, and stakeholder-facing responsibilities.

Job Responsibilities:

• Project Coordination & Administration
  • Manage day-to-day Hub operations, ensuring milestones, deliverables, and reporting deadlines are met.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for partner institutions, funders, and stakeholders.
  • Coordinate and document meetings, workshops, and cross-institutional working groups
  • Coordinate and manage a national student food security data challenge.
• Data Standards & Integration
  • Lead the development and adoption of data standards, metadata schemas, and interoperability protocols to ensure consistency and comparability across datasets.
  • Coordinate with domain experts to align Hub data architecture with national and international data governance frameworks.
  • Establish quality assurance processes for data ingestion, validation, and harmonization.
  • Oversee the centralization of datasets from multiple partners, including government agencies, academic institutions, and industry collaborators.
  • Manage data mapping and transformation processes to integrate structured and unstructured data into the Hub's central repository.
  • Collaborate with technical teams to ensure secure, scalable, and accessible storage solutions in alignment with National Data Platform requirements.
  • Facilitate creation of documentation, user guides, and training materials for standardized data workflows.
  • Monitor compliance with data sharing agreements, privacy regulations, and ethical use guidelines.
• Technical Infrastructure Development
  • Oversee the planning, execution, and monitoring of the Hub's data infrastructure projects in collaboration with technical leads.
  • Create data standards for centralizing
  • Work closely with AWS and cloud-based system architects to ensure scalable, secure, and interoperable solutions.
  • Facilitate integration with the National Data Platform and alignment with national data standards.
  • AWS Certification is a plus.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Events
  • Organize high-profile events, including an industry roundtable with seven cutting-edge Convergence Accelerator teams in food security.
  • Foster collaboration among academic, industry, government, and community partners.
  • Support the development of industry engagement strategies and collaborative agreements.
• Research & Impact Alignment
  • Ensure that Hub activities remain grounded in use-inspired research that directly addresses critical challenges in food security, public health, and climate resilience.
  • Work with project leads to track progress toward key performance indicators and success metrics.
  • Identify additional funding opportunities for the Hub and teams.
  • Assist with grant writing and pursue sustainability pathways.
• Financial & Resource Management
  • Oversee project budgets, expenditures, and service contract agreements in coordination with the University finance team.
  • Ensure compliance with institutional and sponsor guidelines.

Monday - Friday
8:00am - 5:00pm

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 4 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

• Master's or PhD in Data Science, Informatics (Health, Agricultural, Environmental), Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Information Systems, Public Health, Agricultural Sciences, or a closely related field.
• AWS Solutions Architect or AWS Data Analytics certification strongly preferred; equivalent cloud platform expertise considered.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or similar certification is a plus
• 5+ years of experience managing large, multi-partner projects, preferably with a technical or research focus.
• Proven ability to coordinate complex technical and collaborative initiatives.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, project management tools, and virtual collaboration platforms.
• Demonstrated experience in data standards development, metadata schema design, and interoperability frameworks (e.g., HL7, AgGateway, FAIR data principles).
• Proven track record in centralizing and harmonizing diverse datasets from multiple sources (structured, unstructured, geospatial, administrative).
• Hands-on experience with cloud infrastructure design and management, preferably AWS, including security, scalability, and integration with national or multi-institutional data platforms.
• Familiarity with data governance, privacy, and ethical use frameworks.
• AWS certification or equivalent cloud infrastructure experience.
• Experience with federally funded research projects (e.g., NSF, USDA, NIH).
• Familiarity with data governance, interoperability standards, and research infrastructure development.
• Knowledge of food security, public health, or climate resilience sectors.

Anticipated Hiring Range: $52,915.20 - $96,054.40
Grade: GGS 010
University Title: Associate Director Program/Project Operations
Internal applicants can determine their current grade and university title by accessing the Job Information page through the Additional Employee Info tile in myHR.

Completed online application, cover letter, and resume are required.
Applications must be submitted on-line through the University of Missouri website: https://hr.missouri.edu/job-openings (search for Job Opening 57546).

Applications will be reviewed until well-qualified applicants are identified to advance to the interview process.

Visa Sponsorship Information:
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The University will not sponsor applicants for this position for employment visas.

About the NAFSI Hub

The National Food Security & Innovation (NAFSI) Hub is a multi-institutional, interdisciplinary initiative advancing food security by unifying the nation's most impactful food systems data and solutions into one powerful, accessible hub. Our mission is to accelerate innovation, foster cross-sector collaboration, and empower researchers, industry, policymakers, and communities with cutting-edge data, tools, and insights to create resilient and sustainable food systems. NAFSI is the central data hub serving Track J: Food & Nutrition Security Phase 2 projects of the NSF Convergence Accelerator. We aggregate and steward diverse, high-impact datasets - including real-time sensor outputs, AI/ML tools, digital twins, and geospatial dashboards with varied levels of security and privacy to serve industry needs - produced by seven groundbreaking, cross-disciplinary teams. By standardizing and centralizing these assets, NAFSI enables seamless access to data-driven solutions that accelerate discovery and impact across the food security landscape. The Hub connects academic, industry, government, and community partners to deliver use-inspired research with measurable real-world impact. More about the hub: https://healthsciences.missouri.edu/center-for-convergence-science-and-innovation/

Our work is anchored in technical infrastructure development, collaboration across disciplines and sectors, and the National Data Platform, ensuring cutting-edge, interoperable systems that fuel data-driven decision-making in agriculture, health, and sustainability.

This is an opportunity to shape the future of food security and resilience at the national level. You will lead operations for a Hub that is both a technical innovation engine and a bridge between science and real-world application-working with seven pioneering Convergence Accelerator teams, the National Data Platform, and a network of forward-thinking partners across academia, industry, and government.

About the College of Health Sciences

At the Mizzou College of Health Sciences https://healthsciences.missouri.edu/about/, we work every day to improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities.

As the home of the most popular major on campus, we teach Mizzou students who care about health and are dedicated to serving others. In addition to learning in the classroom, our students spend more than 80,150 hours helping patients every year.

Our faculty are driven to solve real-world problems. They lead the way by conducting research that has power and purpose. From expanding the use of technology in health care to improving mental health and learning in schools, we are discovering ways to make life better for everyone.

Through clinics and community outreach programs, we provide vital services to members of our community and training for our students. We are proud to serve Missourians today while preparing the workforce of tomorrow.

Columbia offers small-town friendliness with big city features and a high quality of life for people of all ages and interests. Founded on education and known as an ideal college town, its location also makes it an attractive spot for businesses and travelers. Located on Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 63, Columbia is right in the middle of the state and the nation. Just a couple hours' drive from St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is Boone County's largest population center offering big-city culture, activities, and resources with a low cost of living. Columbia is home to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and hosts more than a dozen festivals each year. If you want to grow your career, continue your education, raise a family, and retire, Columbia is a good place to be!

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.