"Director of Strategic Research Development"

Job Summary

The Director of Research Development will serve as a key leader and trusted partner within the Office of Strategic Research Initiatives (OSRI), supporting the development of competitive proposals, fostering multi-disciplinary collaborations, and advancing ODU’s research competitiveness and national prominence. This role will be primarily internally facing, working directly with faculty, staff, and other university units to identify funding opportunities, build teams, and enhance proposal quality—particularly in ODU’s strategic thrust areas.

Position Type

FullTime

Type of Recruitment

General Public

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field or bachelor’s degree in a related field of study with related work experience equivalent to a master’s degree. Graduate degree desired.
• Considerable knowledge of federal regulations related to the conduct of university-based research.
• Considerable knowledge in the practice of crafting competitive proposals, including narrative development, budget justification, and compliance.
• Working knowledge of effective strategies for building and managing multi-disciplinary research teams.
• Ability to analyze written material and apply what is learned to an analysis of current University policy and/or a review of a pending proposal.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form with a range of audiences including university administrators, faculty, federal and other state agencies, and other individuals interacting with the university research enterprise.
• Ability to multitask. Ability to coordinate meetings, prepare professional correspondence, and use computer software including word processing, spreadsheets, and databases including tools for data analysis and project management.
• Some prior experience in grant writing, team creation, and faculty interaction in sponsored research.
• Some prior management experience and considerable experience in grant development/administration work within a university environment.

Preferred Qualifications

N/A

Conditions of Employment

Job Open Date

09/15/2025

Open Until Filled

Yes

Application Review Date

09/29/2025

Special Instructions to Applicants / Additional Materials Required

Criminal Background Check

The final candidate is required to complete a criminal history check.

Department Information

Equity Statement

It is the policy of Old Dominion University to provide equal employment, educational and social opportunities for all persons, without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), national origin, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation or genetic information. Individuals from minoritized communities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Reasonable Accommodation Request

If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation, please contact the Division of Talent Management and Culture at (757)683-3141.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

ODU Statement

Old Dominion University, located in Norfolk, is Virginia’s forward-focused public doctoral research university with more than 23,000 students, a top R1 research ranking, rigorous academics, an energetic residential community and initiatives that contribute $2.6 billion annually to Virginia’s economy.