Director, VAES and Associate Dean

Job Description

The Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station (VAES) and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Virginia Tech are recruiting for the position of Associate Dean and Director of VAES. This position is seated in CALS and reports to the Dean of CALS. The director works closely with the Directors of Extension, Academic Programs, and Global Programs as an administrative leadership team member within CALS. Serving as both the director of VAES and as the Associate Dean for research for CALS, the successful candidate will foster a coordinated and comprehensive research directive involving all colleges affiliated with VAES. This includes advocating for and supporting a diverse array of federal, state, and stakeholder agencies and institutions that share in the Land-Grant mission. VAES supports significant research in CALS, as well as in the College of Natural Resources and Environment, the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, 11 off-campus Agricultural Research and Extension Centers (ARECs), and selected projects in other colleges. The VAES director is a voting member of the university’s Administrative Council for Extension and Experiment Station Research and administers programs and budgets aligned with national, regional, and state priorities consistent with the broad mission of VAES. The director represents VAES at the state, regional, and national levels and facilitates strong relationships with stakeholders, partners, legislators, and funding agencies. The director serves as a member of the Southern Association of Agricultural Experiment Station Directors and has administrative advisor assignments in Regional Research Programs. The director and associate dean foster research collaborations among central campus and the 11 ARECs to serve agriculture and natural resource stakeholders across diverse regions of the Commonwealth. The position also serves as the CALS contact with the Graduate School and works closely with academic units and ARECs to develop graduate student enrollment goals and assists with recruitment and funding strategies. This person works closely with the Director of Virginia Cooperative Extension on the management and program direction of the ARECs. VAES employs approximately 700 faculty and staff, with annual state funding exceeding $50 million. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences secures an additional $50 million of sponsored extramural research awards annually.

Grounded in the shared InclusiveVT vision and led by the values of equity and belongingness, VAES and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences work to practice principles that increase access and inclusion, creating a community that is inclusive for all its members. Dedicated to its motto [Ut Prosim (That I May Serve)], Virginia Tech takes an engaging approach to education with the goal of preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields and communities. The VAES leader will embrace Virginia Tech’s strategic plan, including proactive engagement with historically underrepresented and underserved communities, and the core values of inclusiveVT, including community engagement and transformational change for problem-solving. This effort includes fostering diversity and inclusion at all ranks that mirror the diversity of Virginia’s population. Founded as a land-grant institution in 1872, Virginia Tech is Virginia’s most comprehensive university and a leading research institution; as well as one of the nation’s senior military colleges. With more than 2,331 instructional faculty, Virginia Tech offers beyond 280 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to over 37,000 students and is engaged in global research, education, and Extension/outreach. Virginia Tech is ranked 48th in the nation via the National Science Foundation Rankings by Total R&D Expenditures and manages a research portfolio of more than $556 million. Its operating budget for 2022-23 is $1.89 billion.

Applications should be submitted through this site ( www.jobs.vt.edu ; position #522525). Nominations of individuals for this position and additional information about this position, Virginia Tech, and VAES can be found at the following site: https://www.cals.vt.edu/about/administration/vaes-director-search.html .

Required Qualifications

An earned doctorate in a field of study commonly associated with colleges of agricultural sciences, natural resources, or veterinary medicine; Evidence of demonstrating significant and deep understanding of academic and research issues in agriculture and life sciences; Distinguished record of achievement and scholarship; Demonstrated expertise in sponsored project management and procurement; Experience in planning, organizing, and communicating policies and programs; Ability to represent the university and VAES to diverse constituencies at local, state, and national levels; Commitment to the university’s principles of community - including diversity initiatives, and a clear recognition of the land-grant mission; Commitment to building a diverse workforce and serving diverse audiences; Ability to administer and promote research programs and possess vision and ability to successfully engage, motivate, and lead people; Ability to work effectively with faculty members located at on- and off-campus locations to build cohesive programs across research, Extension, and academic missions. The applicant must have experience supervising and leading a diverse team and have a deep knowledge of agricultural and life sciences relevant in Virginia.

Preferred Qualifications

Strong demonstration of research leadership with outstanding academic accomplishments that are consistent with tenure at a Land-Grant institution, holding the rank of professor in an appropriate academic department; A proven understanding of the Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) and its role in support of research is highly desirable; The ability to foster collaborations across units and disciplines to secure resources is especially desirable.

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

Commensurate with experience

Review Date

1/5/2023

Additional Information

https://www.cals.vt.edu/about/administration/vaes-director-search.html

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

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 the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers . A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

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 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 Tammy Stevers at tames@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Advertised: October 27, 2022
Applications close: