Key responsibilities of the Chairperson are to: Provide leadership for advancing and articulating the mission, vision, and values of the Department within the broader mission of CANR and MSU; Foster a culture of transparency and equity that supports the success of a large, diverse, and inclusive community of faculty, staff, and students; Promote a collaborative attitude that fosters collegiality, civility, and respect among peers, staff and students in classrooms and the work environment; Work cooperatively within the departmental governance structure (e.g., faculty-elected advisory committee); Recruit and retain outstanding faculty and staff, assign responsibilities, evaluate performance, and promote faculty, student and staff development with transparency and empathy; Supervise staff positions that require annual reviews, goal setting, leadership, and consistent oversight; Manage and administer the Department budget, allocate resources equitably, and provide leadership in the procurement of financial and structural resources necessary to enable the Department’s success; Serve as liaison and advocate for the Department within the larger governance structure of the College and University, and with other Departments and Colleges; Promote the Department’s teaching, research, Extension, and outreach programs to state, regional, national and international audiences; Maintain and enhance existing relationships with stakeholders, commodity groups, and donors. Qualified candidates must : (a) have earned a doctorate in horticulture, plant science, or closely-related discipline and meet the requirements for tenure at the rank of full professor in the Department of Horticulture at MSU; (b) have experience in administration of personnel, budgets, and programs; (c) demonstrate outstanding leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills necessary to lead a diverse community; (d) have the ability to communicate effectively with administrators, faculty, staff, students, stakeholders, donors, and other groups, and.