Job Description

Director, Virginia Sea Grant & Professor

William & Mary’s Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences (Batten School) & Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) invite applicants for the position of Director of Virginia Sea Grant (VASG) & Professor .  VASG is a seven-University Partnership housed at William & Mary’s Batten School & VIMS. The mission of VASG is to provide transformative, integrated education, research, communication, extension, legal and policy programs, to nurture the coastal, estuarine and marine workforce that create novel solutions to challenges in coastal communities. VASG aims to nurture sustainable, resilient communities through knowledge-informed personnel, business, policy, and management decisions.

The VASG Director 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 and Education: 

• 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.

Tenure Considerations:

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

Position will remain open until filled. For priority consideration, applications should be received by the first reviews date of June 9, 2025 .

Application materials for the position must include: 1) a CV; 2) a cover letter; and 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.

Position is eligible for relocation assistance

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