Executive Director, Institute for Society, Culture, and Environment
Job no: 536201
Work type: Administrative & Professional
Senior management: Vice President for Research
Department: Inst for Society/Culture/Envir.
Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
Categories: Executive / Director / Management, Research / Scientific
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
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.
Advertised: April 21, 2026
Applications close:
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