Executive Director, Fralin Life Sciences Institute
Job Description
Virginia Tech is seeking an outstanding leader to become the Executive Director of the newly configured Fralin Life Sciences Institute (FLSI). This is an extraordinary opportunity to join the senior research and innovation leadership team at Virginia Tech. Reporting to the Vice President for Research and Innovation, the Executive Director will have the opportunity to shape the Institution with a new vision and programs, leveraging considerable existing strength. The successful candidate must be a compelling leader whose passion for the Institute’s research and scholarly missions will energize faculty, students, and staff to focus their efforts on a strategic vision of excellence in all missions. The new Director must also be a competent and prudent steward of the Institute, guiding it through what will almost certainly be uncharted change in the sponsored research environment in the years ahead. The new Director must be a respected leader who is operationally savvy and highly knowledgeable about cutting-edge research, funding opportunities, and trends and knows what it takes to sustain and build a thriving research enterprise.
About the Fralin Life Sciences Institute: The FLSI is an instrument of strategic university investment whose mission is to enhance the quality, quantity, and competitiveness of life science research, education, and outreach within Virginia Tech. The Institute’s mission is to augment opportunities for cooperative and productive research among various groups and individuals within focused research themes through targeted investment. The Institute currently manages funding that supports research activities in five major facilities on the Virginia Tech campus. New investments are expected to embrace systems approaches that take full advantage of the interface of theoretical, experimental and computational science. Several of the interdisciplinary research groups actively supported by the Institute are the Global Change Center, Coastal@VT, Infectious Disease, Drug Discovery & Development, Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Translational Plant Sciences. The Institute is responsible for research facilities that include mass spectrometry, a nucleotide sequencing core, imaging, and state-of-the-art high-performance computing facilities.
Required Qualifications
An earned doctorate is required. The successful candidate must possess a distinguished national/international reputation, with a record of recognized achievement in research, scholarly and educational pursuits, and service meriting a Full Professor faculty appointment at Virginia Tech.
The preferred candidate will have several years of experience as a strategic leader with the ability to manage a substantial, complex, and evolving institute or research center. The preferred candidate will also have experience with significant and well-funded research, scholarly achievement, a history of teaching effectiveness, successful development of an organization or program, and an acknowledged reputation in the candidate’s specific field.
Experience and qualifications include:
● Has served as a visionary, inspirational, and strategic leader with knowledge and experience in academic institutions, research institutes, and/or centers.
● A record of successful innovation and a demonstrated ability to effectively lead teams.
● Proven ability to work across academic and administrative leadership teams.
● High level of diplomacy, discretion, and problem-solving skills.
● Experience with integrating an institute or center into the larger institution in a way that complements both, increases visibility, and enhances inclusion.
● Ability to identify and develop a vision for opportunities both internally and externally to grow collaboration and the Institute’s sponsored research portfolio.
● Demonstrated commitment to diversity by working to develop a culture of inclusion and climate of respect and has the enthusiasm to foster and promote a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment.
● Proven track record or progressive responsibility and success in developing collaborative and sustainable relationships.
● Demonstrated leadership, clear communication, and negotiation skills.
● Appreciation for, and experience in faculty development, particularly support to junior faculty in the area of sponsored research.
● Experience managing research space and office allocation across a network of buildings.
● Respect for shared governance and experience advocating for faculty, staff, and students.
Salary Information
Commensurate with experience
Review Date
November 1, 2019
Additional Information
Send applications (curriculum vitae and detailed cover letter), nominations, and inquiries to the email address below. For priority consideration, please apply by November 1, 2019.
VT-Fralin@KornFerry.com
Paul Chou and Josh Ward, Ph.D. Korn Ferry Global Education Practice
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.
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, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran 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 accommodation please contact the hiring department.