Associate Vice President for Strategic Alliances and Director of Research Development Team
Job Description
Based in the greater Washington, DC metro area and serving Virginia Tech (VT) as a whole, the Associate Vice President for Strategic Alliances (AVP-SA) works closely with the Vice President for Strategic Alliances (VP-SA) to support the development of strategic partnerships with federal agencies, Washington area-based foundations and business groups, and academic institutions. The office will work in coordinated fashion with other units to advance strategic alliances and partnerships to achieve the university’s priority goals. These will include the colleges, Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (including research institutes, Link, Launch, and the Office of Sponsored Programs), the Office of the Vice Provost for Learning Systems Innovation and Effectiveness, the Graduate School; and other relevant groups.
The Associate Vice President for Strategic Alliances will be responsible for the planning and execution of strategic initiatives and alliances that will enhance the research, education, and outreach missions of the university as a whole. The AVP-SA will conduct data-based analyses, forge key relationships, and advise the university on strategies that raise the university’s visibility and increase sponsored programs. The AVP-SA will also direct the Research Development Team (RDT) to provide market insights and strategic advice to the university regarding trends and specific opportunities for sponsored programs to grow the university’s research portfolio. The AVP will develop cross-university teams to appropriately capture institutional strengths and priorities, and subsequently engage potential research agencies to influence research directions and improve the university’s competitiveness on large interdisciplinary research opportunities. The AVP-SA will provide representation of the university to strategically selected external groups, and serve as proxy to the VP-SA to these groups as designated.
The office works with university leadership to promote research discoveries and findings - and their impact - to research agencies, think-tanks, and policymakers. The VP-SA and AVP-SA will work across units within the university to plan and host events and forums that advance VT's standing with targeted constituencies and partners.
Candidates must have a comprehensive understanding of federal science and technology development programs, experience establishing, managing, or executing complex interdisciplinary research programs, and an ability to articulate complex research topics to a variety of internal and external stakeholders. The AVP for SA will direct a small group of staff in the Research Development Team, and work across the office of the VP-SA, and the university overall to advance instructional priorities.
Required Qualifications
1. Advanced degree(s) relevant to the position
2. Documented experience in analyzing, communicating, and advocating for strategic research priorities and aligning with specific research opportunities, institutional initiatives, and national priorities
3. Experience in identifying and securing external funding for federal funding research and development programs
4. Demonstrated expertise in working in interdisciplinary environments
5. Knowledge and understanding of federal research budgeting and program planning processes
6. Knowledge of processes and use of federal grants and contracts, cooperative research and development agreements, and other mechanisms for engaging and collaborating with federal research sponsors and laboratories.
7. Prior supervisory and senior management experience
Preferred Qualifications
1. The ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
2. Experience serving as a principal investigator (or co-principal investigator) on federally sponsored research and development programs
3. Prior experience in or working with higher education institutions
4. Related national-level professional recognition as measured by invited service on national-level boards, committees, task-forces, awards and commendations, etc.
January 10, 2020
Additional Information
The successful Candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check
About Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech is a public land-grant university, committed to teaching and learning, research, and outreach to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world. Building on its motto of Ut Prosim (that I may serve), Virginia Tech is dedicated to InclusiveVT—serving in the spirit of community, diversity, and excellence. We seek candidates who adopt and practice the Principles of Community, which are fundamental to our on-going efforts to increase access and inclusion, and to create a community that nurtures learning and growth for all of its members. Virginia Tech actively seeks a broad spectrum of candidates to join our community in preparing leaders for the world.
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