Director, Virginia Sea Grant & Professor

College of William & Mary; University of Virginia (VA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established academic institution is seeking a dynamic Director for the Virginia Sea Grant program. This role involves providing strategic leadership and vision, ensuring program growth and alignment with national goals. The Director will oversee partnerships with diverse stakeholders, manage staff, and secure funding for sustainable operations. This position offers an exciting opportunity to lead initiatives that impact coastal and marine science, fostering collaboration and innovation among academic institutions and agencies. Join a forward-thinking team dedicated to creating resilient coastal communities through education and research.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Professional Development

Wellness Benefits

Access to Fitness Facilities

Educational Assistance

Robust Holiday Schedule

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent advanced degree in marine science, environmental policy, or related field.
• Experience in program administration and strategic planning.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and administrative oversight for the Virginia Sea Grant program.
• Collaborate with state and federal agencies and academic institutions.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Program Administration

Collaboration with Stakeholders

Financial Management

People Management

Communication Skills

Education

Ph.D. in Marine Science or Related Field

Job description

Director, Virginia Sea Grant & Professor

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Application materials for the position must include:
1) a CV
2) a cover letter
3) a candidate statement that describes your experience providing strategic leadership to multi-disciplinary or multi-institutional groups, your experience working with diverse partners (ideally, if applicable, including state and federal agencies and the private sector) to accomplish shared goals, and your leadership philosophy and approach to creating a collaborative environment for internal and external partners.

The names (including titles and institutions), addresses, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of 3 professional references is also required as part of the application.

For priority consideration, applications should be received by the initial review date of June 9, 2025.

Position Information

Position Information

Position Number

Position Number F0097V

Position Title

Position Title Director, Virginia Sea Grant & Professor

Unit Mission Statement

The mission of William & Mary’s Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & Virginia Institute of Marine Science ( VIMS ) is to seek and broadly communicate knowledge in marine and coastal science to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world through research, education, and advisory service. The Batten School & VIMS make seminal advances in understanding coastal and marine systems through research and discovery, translate research findings into practical solutions to complex issues of societal importance, and provide new generations of researchers, educators, problem solvers, and managers with an education of unsurpassed quality.

Virginia Sea Grant’s ( VASG ) mission is to provide transformative, integrated education, research, communication, extension, and legal and policy programs, to create a coastal, estuarine, and marine innovation workforce and novel solutions to challenges in coastal communities. VASG aims to nurture sustainable, resilient communities through knowledge-informed personnel, business, policy, and management decisions.

Position Summary

The Director of Virginia Sea Grant ( VASG ) provides strategic leadership, vision, and administrative oversight for the VASG program, ensuring its continued growth, innovation, and alignment with the National Sea Grant program and overall goals of the Commonwealth and VIMS in coastal and marine systems. This Director position carries a 100% administrative appointment focused on VASG administration and leadership. The Director is expected to collaborate with state and federal agencies, policymakers, private sector partners, and partner academic institutions in the VASG organization (George Mason University, Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University, University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, VIMS , Virginia Tech, and William & Mary) to advance VASG’s mission while overseeing programmatic, fiscal, and operational functions.

The Director of VASG will also have a full-time (12-month) tenure/non-tenure eligible faculty appointment within William & Mary’s Batten School and will be stationed at the VIMS campus in Gloucester Point, VA. This position is open to tenured and non-tenured faculty members, likely at the rank of Professor (if tenured) or Research Professor (if hired as a non-tenure eligible position). The position is anticipated to begin in Fall 2025.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and implement VASG’s strategic vision and long-term goals.
• Maintain strong strategic partnerships with all VASG partner academic institutions.
• Strengthen partnerships with government agencies, private industry, and NGOs to enhance program impact.
• Secure and manage external funding to ensure fiscal sustainability and growth.

Program & Staff Management

• Provide executive oversight for VASG staff, fostering a supportive and high-performance working environment.
• Provide accountability for recruitment, hiring, performance management, and professional development efforts for staff.
• Develop and maintain a positive team environment that encourages collaboration, innovation, and employee growth.
• Ensure success with VASG fellowships, extension programs, and professional development initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with Sea Grant network requirements and reporting obligations.

External Relations & Partnerships:

• Serve as the primary representative of VASG to academic, local, state, and federal stakeholders.
• Engage with policymakers, advisory boards, and funding agencies to advocate for VASG’s mission.
• Expand collaborations with Virginia’s higher education institutions, private sector partners, and nonprofit organizations.
• Serve as VASG’s primary spokesperson when communicating with the 33 other Sea Grant programs throughout the United States.

Governance & Advisory Services:

• Lead the review and refinement of VASG’s advisory board structure, bylaws, and charter.
• Collaborate with VIMS leadership to ensure program alignment with institutional strategic priorities.
• Contribute to workforce development and training initiatives within Virginia’s coastal and marine science sectors.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent advanced degree in a relevant field such as marine science, environmental policy, coastal resilience, or related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in program administration, strategic planning, and leadership within an academic, governmental, or nonprofit setting.
• Strong understanding of local, state, and federal funding mechanisms, grants, and financial management.
• Proven ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, industry leaders, and academic institutions.
• Significant experience in people management, including staff supervision, performance evaluations, mentorship, and team development.
• Strong leadership skills with a commitment to fostering a workplace culture of belonging, engagement, and excellence.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing interdisciplinary programs and multi-institutional partnerships.
• Familiarity with the Sea Grant program structure and the role of VASG within the national network.
• Experience in workforce development, professional training, knowledge integration principles, or mentoring programs.
• Knowledge of Virginia’s coastal policy, resilience planning, and economic development efforts.
• Experience fundraising from public and private sources.

Conditions of Employment

• This position is a tenure/non-tenure eligible faculty appointment based on the candidate’s qualifications, interests, and institutional guidelines.

Department

Location

Location VIMS - Gloucester

Job Open Date

Job Open Date 05/08/2025

Review Begin Date

Review Begin Date 06/09/2025

Job Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Employment Category

Employment Category Faculty

Special Application Instructions

Application materials for the position must include:
1) a CV
2) a cover letter
3) a candidate statement that describes your experience providing strategic leadership to multi-disciplinary or multi-institutional groups, your experience working with diverse partners (ideally, if applicable, including state and federal agencies and the private sector) to accomplish shared goals, and your leadership philosophy and approach to creating a collaborative environment for internal and external partners.

The names (including titles and institutions), addresses, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of 3 professional references is also required as part of the application.

For priority consideration, applications should be received by the initial review date of June 9, 2025.

William & Mary is committed to providing a safe campus community. W&M conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

EEO Statement

William & Mary values diversity and invites applications from underrepresented groups who will enrich the research, teaching and service missions of the university. The university is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and encourages applications from women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

Benefits Summary Statement

William & Mary offers our employees a full array of benefits including retirement, health insurance with options for expanded dental and vision along with group and optional life insurance with coverage for spouse and children, flexible spending accounts, and an EAP (Employee Assistance Program).

Our employees enjoy additional university benefits such as educational assistance, professional development, wellness benefits, and a robust holiday schedule. All employees have access to fitness facilities on campus. Staff members also have access to the university libraries, and much more. To learn more, go to: https://www.wm.edu/offices/uhr/benefits/index.php?type=none

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).