Executive Director of the Institute for Advanced Computing

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Institute for Advanced Computing; United States; On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

The Institute for Advanced Computing at Virginia Tech seeks an inaugural Executive Director to shape its strategic vision and position it for national and international prominence.

As chief executive, you will guide strategy, oversee operations and academic programs, build partnerships across academia, government and industry, and lead fundraising to secure philanthropic investments that fuel research and workforce innovation.

Responsibilities

• Shape the institute's long-term vision and position it for national and international prominence.
• Guide strategy, oversee operations and academic programs, and align resources to dual mission.

Job description

The client is seeking an inaugural Executive Director for the Institute for Advanced Computing (IAC). This leadership role is responsible for shaping the institute's long-term vision, expanding partnerships, and positioning it for national and international prominence. The Executive Director will guide the strategic direction of the institute, working closely with senior leadership and the Managing Director to ensure both operational and academic success, particularly in the context of a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment at the intersection of academia, government, and industry.

The Executive Director will serve as the chief executive of the institute, overseeing strategy, performance, and resource alignment to support its dual mission of advancing research and delivering high-quality academic programs, including industry-informed graduate degrees. The role involves identifying priority areas for investment and partnership, enhancing the institute's reputation in advanced computing research and education, and fostering collaborations within key innovation ecosystems. The Executive Director will also be responsible for securing philanthropic investments and advancing public-private initiatives that contribute to economic development and workforce innovation.

The ideal candidate will be a collaborative leader with a distinguished record in advanced computing or related fields, and demonstrated experience in positions of significant responsibility across academia, private, or public sectors. The Executive Director is expected to excel in a distributed environment, working effectively across diverse units and stakeholder groups. A strong background in institutional leadership, fundraising, and partner engagement is essential, along with the ability to translate strategic vision into operational success and sustain momentum across multiple priorities.