Assistant Director for Research Portfolio & Program Development

University of Alaska; Anchorage (AK); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Alaska's ADAC-ARCTIC invites applications for Assistant Director for Research Portfolio and Program Development in Anchorage, Alaska. The role leads externally funded research initiatives, develops competitive funding opportunities, and aligns projects with center priorities.

You will manage portfolios, coordinate multi-stakeholder partnerships across federal agencies, academia, industry, Tribal and community groups, and provide strategic analyses to guide decision-making and

Qualifications

• PhD and four years of postgraduate research experience in a field relevant to the research (e.g. science, engineering, policy, public administration, business) or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Experience leading externally funded research programs and grant proposals.
• Ability to coordinate multi-stakeholder partnerships and cross-institution collaboration.
• Strong leadership to drive innovation and accountability across portfolios.
• Excellent communication and strategic reporting skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, coordination, and oversight of ADAC-ARCTIC's research portfolio to align with priorities, sponsor requirements, budgets, and timelines.
• Identify and pursue new funding opportunities and coordinate grant proposals and research initiatives.
• Develop reports, dashboards, briefings, and strategic recommendations for informed decision-making.
• Manage project initiation, performance monitoring, and sponsor compliance across multiple activities.
• Represent leadership in sponsor interactions and stakeholder meetings; ensure accountability and collaboration.

Skills

Leadership

Grant fundraising

Strategic planning

Stakeholder collaboration

Portfolio management

Education

PhD in a relevant field

Job description

ADAC-ARCTIC is seeking an Assistant Director for Research Portfolio and Program Development to help advance innovative research and strategic programs addressing rapid environmental, maritime, and infrastructure changes across the Arctic. The ideal candidate will bring demonstrated experience leading externally funded research initiatives, developing competitive funding opportunities, managing complex project portfolios, and building collaborative partnerships with federal, state, academic, industry, Tribal, and community stakeholders. Success in this role requires strong leadership with the ability to drive innovation, assess emerging risks, and translate research into actionable solutions that support resilient Arctic communities and informed decision-making. If you are a collaborative and forward-thinking leader committed to advancing impactful Arctic research and development, we encourage you to apply.

As the Assistant Director for Research Portfolio & Program Development, responsibilities include leading the planning, coordination, and oversight of ADAC-ARCTIC's research portfolio to ensure projects remain aligned with Center priorities, sponsor requirements, budgets, schedules, and performance expectations. This role manages portfolio tracking systems, monitors project progress and risks, reviews deliverables for quality and compliance, facilitates communication among Principal Investigators, research teams, and Center leadership, and develops reports, dashboards, briefings, and strategic recommendations that support informed decision-making.

The position is responsible for identifying and pursuing new funding opportunities, coordinating the development of grant proposals and research initiatives, and expanding the Center's portfolio through strategic partnerships and externally funded projects. Responsibilities also include managing competitive research solicitations, overseeing project initiation and performance monitoring processes, improving operational workflows and project management practices, and supporting accountability across multiple concurrent research activities.

The Assistant Director provides functional leadership to Center staff and project teams by coordinating priorities, resolving operational challenges, facilitating collaboration, and promoting consistent project management, documentation, reporting, and customer service standards. The role additionally leads the planning and execution of major Center meetings, workshops, conferences, and stakeholder engagements, represents Center leadership in partner and sponsor interactions, and develops executive-level analyses, recommendations, and strategic options that advance the Center's research, operational, and long-term programmatic goals.

To thrive in this role, the candidate should possess significant experience leading complex research programs, externally funded projects, and multi-stakeholder initiatives that require strategic planning, organizational leadership, and accountability for outcomes. They will have a demonstrated track record of managing multiple priorities simultaneously while effectively coordinating sponsors, researchers, partners, and project teams to achieve program objectives.

The candidate will bring extensive experience developing external funding strategies and preparing successful grant proposals, cooperative agreements, concept papers, white papers, and other funding requests. They should have a strong understanding of sponsored research administration, federal funding environments, budget development, financial stewardship, and the regulatory and operational requirements associated with externally funded research programs.

Expert‑level knowledge of research methodologies, analytical frameworks, and program evaluation practices, with the ability to assess complex information, synthesize quantitative and qualitative data, identify emerging opportunities and risks, and provide sound recommendations that support strategic decision-making are invaluable. Experience should reflect a strong capacity for developing and improving systems, processes, and performance measures that enhance efficiency, accountability, and program effectiveness.

The successful candidate will be a collaborative and relationship‑focused professional with a proven ability to build and maintain partnerships across federal agencies, academic institutions, industry organizations, nonprofit entities, Tribal organizations, and other stakeholder groups. They will have experience engaging with senior leaders, sponsors, and external partners to advance organizational priorities, develop new opportunities, and strengthen research and program capabilities.

The candidate will also possess strong leadership skills demonstrated through experience providing guidance, coordination, and direction to professional staff, researchers, faculty, contractors, and multidisciplinary teams. They will be recognized as a trusted resource for problem solving, decision‑making, project coordination, and stakeholder engagement, with the ability to foster collaboration and maintain accountability in complex operating environments.

Additionally, the candidate will bring exceptional written, verbal, facilitation, and presentation skills, with experience communicating complex research findings, program performance, strategic recommendations, and technical information to scientific, executive, governmental, stakeholder, and public audiences. They will demonstrate professionalism, sound judgment, diplomacy, and credibility, enabling them to effectively represent the organization in high‑visibility, and externally facing environments.

Minimum Qualifications: PhD and four years research experience at the postgraduate level in a field relevant to the research (e.g. science, engineering, policy, public administration, business), or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Position Details: This position is located in Anchorage, Alaska. This is a term-funded, full-time, exempt staff position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the UA Staff Salary Schedule Grade 82, based on education and experience.

Application review will begin on October 12, 2026. Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration; however, the recruitment will remain open until filled.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Kelsie Kingston at [e-mail].

To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction. Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

This is a term-funded position reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the ADA team at [e-mail].

The University of Alaska is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution. The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or [e-mail]/907-786-1214 or [e-mail].

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or [e-mail].

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing [e-mail].