Executive Director, Institute for Society, Culture, and Environment

Overview

This position is limited to the faculty at Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech is seeking a strategic and effective leader to serve as the Executive Director of the Institute for Society, Culture, and Environment (ISCE). The Executive Director will shape the Institute’s strategic direction, establish priorities that leverage existing strengths, and lead an interdisciplinary research strategy that advances Virginia Tech’s national and international reputation in the social sciences and humanities.

Responsibilities

• Advance Virginia Tech’s reputation in the social sciences and humanities through faculty investment, mentoring, and promotion of interdisciplinary collaborations.
• Develop a vision for supporting cutting‑edge research that addresses complex societal challenges.
• Align research investments with funding opportunities and forge strategic partnerships with governmental agencies, industry, and other stakeholders.
• Promote interdisciplinary linkages within the University.
• Manage Institute operations, supervise and mentor staff, and maintain 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, technical assistance, mentoring, and proposal development.
• 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 a social science discipline and a record of recognized achievement in research, scholarship, education, and service.
• Visionary, inspirational, and strategic leadership experience in research organizations (academic institutions, research institutes, or centers).
• Significant research record with strong external funding support and evidence of interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Extensive knowledge of connecting social science across disciplines and applying 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 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 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.

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

Virginia Tech is an equal opportunity employer. It 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 other protected information.