"Managing Director of Research Engagement and Outreach"

Job Description

The Managing Director of Research Engagement and Outreach supports the visibility, engagement, and impact of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ research enterprise, including the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station (VAES) and its statewide network of Agricultural Research and Extension Centers (ARECs).

The position works under the direction of the Associate Dean and Director of Agricultural Experiment Station Research, with a collaborative, dotted-line relationship to the Director of Marketing and Communications. This position develops and produces research-related content, materials, and outreach initiatives that communicate the value of CALS research to policymakers, industry partners, faculty, and the public.

Working within the CALS Office of Research and Innovation (ORI), the Managing Director ensures that research engagement efforts are strategically aligned with the goals of CALS Research, the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station, and Virginia Tech’s brand and messaging standards. The role collaborates closely with both the research and MarComm teams to tell the story of CALS research through coordinated outreach, publications, reports, and presentations.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in English, communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field, or equivalent training and/or work experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to translate scientific or technical content into clear, engaging narratives.
• Proven project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple assignments and meet deadlines.
• Experience in digital communications, newsletters, or research publications.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with content management or publication platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional experience in higher education, research communications, or the agricultural and life sciences sectors.
• Familiarity with Virginia’s land-grant system, the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station, and the role of research within the land-grant mission.
• Experience producing reports, newsletters, or other research-based materials for internal and external audiences.
• Knowledge of data visualization, digital storytelling, or web content management systems.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Commensurate with experience.

Hours per week

40

Review Date

November 21, 2025

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Please provide writing samples of your choice for the Search Committee's review.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

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 does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Tom Soladay at tsoladay@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Advertised: November 13, 2025
Applications close: