Director, Research Security and Export Controls

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Blacksburg (VA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Virginia Tech seeks a Director of Research Security and Export Controls to lead the university's compliance programs within the Office of Export and Secure Research Compliance. The role reports to the AVP and CSRO and drives policy, training, and risk management across the university.

The successful candidate will oversee program operations, build cross-functional alliances, and serve as a trusted advisor on NSPM-33, CHIPS, ITAR/EAR, and CUI issues for faculty and administration.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of NSPM-33, CHIPS Act and related regs.
• Familiarity with NIST 800 series and CMMC requirements.
• Experience drafting policies and training resources.
• Ability to interpret complex regulatory language for research programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead research security and export controls programs.
• Develop and maintain policies, procedures and training.
• Manage OESRC operations and staff development.
• Provide expert guidance to leadership and researchers.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

Policy development

Leadership

Stakeholder communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Security clearance knowledge

Autonomous work style

Project management

Education

Advanced degree or equivalent

Job description

Job Description

The Director of Research Security and Export Controls provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for Virginia Tech’s research security and export controls/sanctions compliance programs within the Office of Export and Secure Research Compliance (OESRC). Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Research Security and Chief Research Security Officer, this position leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of university-wide programs that ensure compliance with federal research security, export control, and sanctions regulations. The director oversees institutional risk management related to research security, provides leadership of OESRC secure research and export controls operations and staff, and serves as a trusted advisor to university leadership, faculty, and research administrators on complex regulatory requirements affecting the university’s research enterprise.

The primary duties of this position include:

• Lead the university’s research security and trade compliance programs, establishing strategic priorities and ensuring alignment with institutional and federal requirements.
• Develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, and compliance programs supporting research security, export controls, sanctions compliance aligned to National Security Presidential Memorandum 33 (NSPM – 33), CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, export controls, sanctions, controlled unclassified information (CUI), and other applicable federal regulations.
• Lead complex, cross-functional projects from planning through implementation to strengthen the university’s research security and compliance infrastructure.
• Research security reviews and risk assessments of international collaborations, including travel, proposed foreign person employees and visitors, and funded and non-funded proposals/agreements. Development and monitoring of research security risk mitigation plans and Technology Control Plans (TCPs).
• Manage OESRC program operations, supervise and develop professional and administrative staff, establish performance expectations, and foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Develop and deliver education, training, and outreach programs while serving as the university’s subject matter expert on research security and export controls/sanctions compliance for faculty, staff, students, and university leadership.
• Partner with university leadership and administrative units, including Information Technology, International Affairs, Legal Counsel, Human Resources, Office of Research and Innovation, and Audit, Risk and Compliance, to develop coordinated compliance strategies and support institutional research objectives.
• Oversee program monitoring, maintain required documentation, and prepare internal and external reports to demonstrate compliance with applicable regulations and sponsor requirements.

Required Qualifications

• - Must be a US citizen
• - Advanced degree or training, certifications, and progressively advanced experience in lieu of an advanced degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Political Science, or other relevant field
• - Must be eligible for, and able to obtain and maintain at least a Secret-level security clearance as required to perform assigned duties
• - Demonstrated knowledge of research security regulations (NSPM-33, CHIPS and Science Act, agency-specific policies related thereto)
• - Knowledge of NIST 800 series security requirements and Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program requirements
• - Demonstrated working knowledge of export controls and sanctions regulations and controlled unclassified information, including experience working with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR), or Foreign Assets Control Regulations (FACR)
• - Experience working with export controls and sanctions licensing programs
• - Demonstrated working experience developing policies and procedures such as detailed documentation and training resources.
• - Demonstrated ability to interpret complex technical and contractual language and its applicability to research security and export controls/sanctions laws and regulations.
• - Experience reviewing, evaluating, or negotiating U.S. Government or commercial grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts.
• - Demonstrated ability to work autonomously but also within a team environment
• - Demonstrated excellent customer service and communication skills
• - Highly motivated, self-starter with ability to multitask

Preferred Qualifications

• - Demonstrated working experience at an accredited institution of higher education
• - Program or project management experience and/or certification (e.g., PMP, PMI)
• - Prior supervisory experience
• - Current or previous Department of Defense security clearance
• - Current or previous designation as an Empowered Official

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

Starting at $140,000; commensurate with experience

Hours per week

40

Review Date

September 28, 2026

Additional Information

Due to access to sensitive information, position is restricted to US citizens.

The successful candidate must be eligible for, and able to obtain and maintain, at least Secret level security clearance as required to perform assigned duties.

The role is eligible for hybrid work arrangement and follows the OESRC team’s hybrid work model, with flexibility to work remotely one day per week and four days based in our on-campus office in Blacksburg, Virginia.

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 Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

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, ethnicity or 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 Kaitlin Winfreeat [e-mail] regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.