Executive Director, Institute for Society, Culture, and Environment

Job Description

About the position: Virginia Tech is seeking a strategic and effective leader to serve as the Executive Director of the Institute for Society, Culture, and Environment (ISCE). As one of Virginia Tech’s four research investment institutes, ISCE champions the fundamental role that the social sciences and humanities play in society. Its mission is to enhance Virginia Tech’s capacity and leadership in the social sciences and humanities by catalyzing innovative, interdisciplinary, and translational research and scholarship addressing critical individual and social concerns impacting people and places in Virginia, nationally, and globally.

The Executive Director position is an extraordinary opportunity to collaborate across Virginia Tech and work with stakeholders to further advance the university’s priorities as a senior member of the research and innovation leadership team. Reporting to the Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation, and working closely with other institute directors, the main focus of the Executive Director will be to shape the Institute’s strategic direction and establish priorities that will leverage existing strengths and resources to address complex societal challenges through high-impact research and scholarship.

Responsibilities

• Advance Virginia Tech’s national and international reputation in the social sciences and humanities research and scholarship through opportunities for faculty investment and mentoring and promotion of interdisciplinary collaborations.
• Develop a vision for supporting cutting-edge research that addresses complex societal challenges through high-impact research and scholarship.
• Align research investments with funding opportunities and forge strategic partnerships with governmental agencies, industry, and other stakeholders to drive the institute’s research agenda.
• Promote interdisciplinary linkages within the University.
• Manage Institute operations, including supervising and mentoring staff and maintaining fiscal accountability through effective budget planning.
• Provide interdisciplinary leadership and advocacy for faculty engagement and development, including support for promotion and tenure.
• Facilitate opportunities for faculty research and scholarship through internal funding opportunities, technical assistance, mentoring, and proposal development programs.
• Build and sustain relationships with key external stakeholders, including alumni, donors, advisory board members, and corporate and governmental partners.
• Support fundraising, advancement, and visibility of Virginia Tech through strategic external engagement and communication efforts.
• Provide ongoing mentorship, professional development, and leadership support to direct reports to foster a collaborative, high-performing team culture.

Required Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in their discipline and be actively engaged in social science research, with a record of recognized achievement in research, scholarly and educational pursuits, and service meriting appointment at the rank of Professor at Virginia Tech.
• Visionary, inspirational, and strategic leadership with knowledge and experience leading research organizations, for example in academic institutions, research institutes, and/or centers or their equivalent.
• Significant research record and reputation that includes strong external funding support and evidence of interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Extensive knowledge, expertise, and vision for the connection of social science across disciplines and the application of those research outcomes in external settings.
• Experience building and championing the work of others, especially in a research setting.
• Proven ability to work across organizational boundaries with a variety of stakeholders to build and maintain relationships.
• High level of diplomacy, discretion, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven track record in management and budgetary responsibility.
• Demonstrated clear communication and negotiation skills.
• Appreciation for, and experience in faculty mentoring, particularly supporting faculty in engaging in sponsored research.
• Experience managing research resources, including seed funding, advocacy, and faculty support.
• Respect for shared governance and experience advocating for faculty, staff, and students.
• Demonstrated leadership and development of direct reports, and personnel management.