Executive Director, Institute for Society, Culture, and Environment

Executive Director, Institute for Society, Culture, and Environment

Company: Virginia Tech

Job Location: Blacksburg, 24061

Category: Other Executive

Type: Full-Time

This position is limited to the faculty at Virginia Tech. The successful candidate must have a 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.

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. In collaboration with faculty across departments, schools, institutes, and colleges, the Executive Director will create and lead a comprehensive interdisciplinary research strategy to elevate Virginia Tech's national and international reputation as a leader in innovative, solution-oriented social science research and humanities scholarship.

The Executive Director will communicate with stakeholders effectively and frequently, be of the highest integrity, act as an excellent and trustworthy steward of university resources, and be transparent in resource allocation and decision making. The Executive Director must be a respected scholar (a tenured, full professor) actively engaged in social science research with a clear record of success leading and supporting cross-, inter-, and transdisciplinary efforts. The successful candidate will be a visionary collaborator who designs strategies and executes plans to further elevate an active research enterprise in support of Virginia Tech's Beyond Boundaries initiatives and its two presidential priorities - Global Distinction and Virginia Tech Advantage.

As a member of Virginia Tech's senior leadership, the Executive Director collaborates closely with senior leaders of the University, helping establish priorities and execute initiatives through regular engagements as a member of the President's Council, Academic Affairs Council, and Research and Innovation Council. The Executive Director of ISCE will have a calendar year appointment with at least 50% of their time committed to institute responsibilities. The successful candidate will be tenured at the rank of full professor. Contingent upon budgetary, programmatic and operational needs, alignment of executive director responsibilities may be adjusted according to university needs and strategic priorities. Manage an annual budget of ~$1 million in funds to advance the work of the institute designated to support interdisciplinary and strategically cross-disciplinary collaborations at a prominent R1 institution.

About the Institute for Society, Culture, and Environment:
As one of four investment institutes at Virginia Tech, ISCE's collaborations and partnerships, within and across colleges and other areas of the university, are essential to the success of the Institute and its affiliated faculty. ISCE strategically invests in four thematic areas (global policies and practices; health and human development; risk and resilience; and community and environments) and other targeted research areas, primarily supporting faculty activities that have the potential for extramural funding. In so doing, ISCE makes available financial and tailored technical assistance that supports the development of individual faculty members and promotes participation in interdisciplinary teams. ISCE provides financial support to faculty through several funding mechanisms as well as through three ISCE centers and several associated centers. In addition to tailored technical assistance offered to faculty teams, the institute also provides mentoring, both to individuals and through structured programs; hosts speakers and seminars; and engages in activities to foster collaboration and teamwork.

The social science and humanities communities at Virginia Tech are broadly defined and inclusive of faculty in traditional social science and humanities disciplines and departments, faculty in behavioral and cognitive science, public health and policy sciences disciplines and departments, and individual faculty embedded in departments not traditionally aligned with the social sciences but whose research addresses pressing social challenges. ISCE actively engages with faculty across STEM fields, life sciences, engineering, architecture, business, and the arts and design, recognizing that complex societal problems require collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development. Virginia Tech is an equal opportunity employer.

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.

Overtime Status
Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type
Regular

Salary Information
Commensurate with experience

Hours per week
40+

Review Date
May 15, 2026

Additional Information
This position is limited to the faculty at Virginia Tech. The successful candidate must have a 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.
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.