Director of Digital Maritime Innovation

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Suffolk (VA); On-site; Full time

Job description

Posting Details

Posting Details

Job Title
Executive Director - Virginia Digital Maritime Center

Department
DIGITAL SHIPBUILDING

Position Number
FA748A

Location
Suffolk, VA

Job Summary

Old Dominion University ( ODU ) seeks a visionary leader to grow aninternationally recognized center in digital maritime research,workforce development, and economic development. The VirginiaDigital Maritime Center ( VDMC ), one of ODU’s applied researchcenters, seeks an Executive Director with strong leadership andinnovation skills in the maritime sector. This position will bedirectly responsible for VDMC’s mission to support Virginia’smaritime enterprise by leading applied research and cutting-edgetechnology development to advance maritime innovation, strengthenthe maritime workforce, foster collaborative partnerships, anddrive economic growth in Virginia, specifically Hampton Roads. TheExecutive Director, with VDMC’s Assistant Director and three PillarLeads (technology insertion, digital analytics and workforcedevelopment) will continue to develop effective partnerships with:Naval and commercial maritime stakeholders; ODU’s other appliedresearch centers and main campus academic colleges, schools, anddepartments; international and national education and trainingstakeholders, and federal, state, and local agencies. Thesuccessful candidate will be experienced in securing or managingfunding for maritime projects, team development, and strategicleadership. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a commitment toresearch excellence and a strong record of research funding in afield directly applicable to the maritime sector.

Key Responsibilities:

• Continue and accelerate VDMC’s growth as a national andinternational university leader in digital maritime research,workforce development, and economic development.
• Develop and implement strategic goals for VDMC in terms ofresearch vision, growth, funding, and outreach.
• Cultivate domestic and international partnerships withgovernment, industry, and academic stakeholders to expand fundedresearch opportunities.
• Socialize and promote VDMC’s research, and researchers, invarious forums, enhancing its reputation as a leader in digitalmaritime research.
• Champion a culture of research excellence, inclusivity, andcollaboration among faculty, staff, and students while engagingactively in mentorship and professional development of VDMC’steam.
• Oversee operational, financial, and administrative functions toensure the center’s success and growth.
• Develop and implement goals that align with the broaderobjectives of ODU’s research strategy.
• Promote economic development activities in the region bycultivating university partnerships with businesses andgovernmental agencies at all levels to exploit maritime-relatedtechnologies for commercial and socially responsible purposes.
• Identify and develop opportunities to commercializeintellectual property deriving from research and developmentactivities.
• Engage university faculty in a variety of disciplines inresearch development activities related to the maritime sector, toinclude leading or coordinating the development and submission ofproposals for extramural funding and cultivating intramuralresearch collaboratives.
• Collaborate closely with university Academic Affairs leadership(Provost, Vice Provost, deans, and chairs) to design, field, andpromote academic and workforce development programs related todigital maritime research.

VDMC values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusiveenvironment for all employees. We encourage candidates from allbackgrounds to apply, especially those who contribute to ourmission of advancing research and innovation.

Position Type
FullTime

Type of Recruitment
General Public

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in science, technology, engineering,mathematics, operations research, economics, or a relatedfield.
• 20 years of leadership experience advancing to leading largeand multidisciplinary teams and engaging diverse stakeholders
• Successful record of collaboration with a variety oforganization types, such as business, military, government, andeducation.
• A record of accomplishment of advocating for subordinates,fostering talent development and management, and contributingpositively to a fulfilling work environment.
• Established network within the maritime funding community(e.g., academic, government, military, industry, foundation).
• Proven technical expertise in the maritime sector withpractical application of these skills.
• Deep knowledge of the national and international maritimelandscape.
• Experience in conflict resolution, team development, andpromoting leadership qualities in others.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable ofengaging diverse stakeholders and fostering collaborativeinitiatives.
• Strong commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusionin the workplace and research practices.
• Ability to obtain a US security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in science, technology, engineering, mathematics,operations research, economics, or a related field or seniorexecutive government or industry experience.
• Substantial leadership experience in government or maritimeindustry leadership.
• Demonstrated commitment to research and mentorship, withexperience in fostering a supportive and productive researchenvironment.
• Demonstrated success in securing funding and managing complexresearch projects with a significant external funding history.Demonstrated success in development and management of center-levelgrants and research contracts.
• Previous leadership role in a research center or innovationgroup, academic department, or equivalent setting, demonstratingthe ability to navigate complex academic and researchenvironments.

Conditions of Employment

Completion of Statement of Personal Economic Interests isrequired upon hire.

Job Open Date
02/04/2026

Open Until Filled
Yes

Application Review Date
03/02/2026

Job Close Date

Special Instructions to Applicants / Additional MaterialsRequired

Criminal Background Check
The final candidate is required to complete a criminal historycheck.

Department Information

Equity Statement

It is the policy of Old Dominion University to provide equalemployment, educational and social opportunities for all persons,without regard to race (or traits historically associated with raceincluding hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles suchas braids, locks, and twists), color, religion, sex or gender(including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions),national origin, gender identity or expression, age, veteranstatus, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation orgenetic information. Individuals from minoritized communities,women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged toapply.

Reasonable Accommodation Request

If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonableaccommodation, please contact the Division of Talent Management andCulture at [phone].

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

The contractor will not discharge or in any other mannerdiscriminate against employees or applicants because they haveinquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay ofanother employee or applicant. However, employees who have accessto the compensation information of other employees or applicants asa part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay ofother employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwisehave access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is(a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtheranceof an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including aninvestigation conducted by the employer, or © consistent withcontractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

ODU Statement

Old Dominion University, located in Norfolk, is Virginia’sforward-focused public doctoral research university with more than23,000 students, a top R1 research ranking, rigorous academics, anenergetic residential community and initiatives that contribute$2.6 billion annually to Virginia’s economy.