Associate Dean for Research and Advisory Services

William & Mary’sBatten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences (Batten School) at the VirginiaInstitute of Marine Science (VIMS) invites applicants for the position of Associate Dean of Research and Advisory Services. The Batten School at VIMS hosts one of the largest and most successful research programs in coastal and marine sciences in the United States, maintaining approximately $100 million in active grants and contracts. In addition, VIMS serves as the

Commonwealth’s advisor on coastal and marine science issues, and our strong advisory services program provides essential guidance for local and state policy makers, industry, and the public.

This is an exciting time to join the Batten School at VIMS; we are operating under a new and innovative Strategic Plan, our faculty is growing, and we have recently secured a $100,000,000 gift to name the School - the largest gift ever to a school focused on coastal and marine sciences. In support of our efforts to amplify and accelerate our broad and dynamic research program, we seek strategic, forward-thinking individuals that are passionate about higher education and innovative scholarship and committed to the priorities laid out in our strategic plan.

Reporting to the Dean & Director of the Batten School/VIMS, the Associate Dean is responsible for leadership and administration of VIMS’ research and advisory services programs with support from a new Assistant Dean of Research and Advisory Services (focused primarily on the advisory services portion of the office) and associated staff. The incumbent serves in this full- time leadership and administrative position as leader for research activities in the school, under the Dean & Director, to ensure continued success of our broad research program.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Providing strategic thought leadership and effective administration that advances the research mission of the Batten School at VIMS, and that coordinates – with support and leadership from the Assistant Dean and other staff – the advisory services requirements of the institute, including governance for research and advisory services issues as delegated by the Dean & Director. This position will be focused approximately 75% on the research mission and 25% on the advisory services role (with the new Assistant Dean maintaining primary responsibility for advisory services)
• Participating in institutional-level decision making and ensuring close coordination among the Office of Research and Advisory Services (ORAS) and the academic programs of the Batten School as well as operational and financial aspects of the organization
• Reviewing and approving all sponsored program contracts and proposals
• Leading efforts to represent the interests of the Batten School at VIMS to federal partners and program managers (e.g., NOAA, NSF, EPA) in Washington, D.C. to grow and broaden funding for innovative, multi-disciplinary research
• Leading efforts to facilitate and incentivize expanded participation in innovative multidisciplinary research teams that are responsive to federal and foundation priorities and that bring visibility to institutional scholars and scholarship
• Directing the ORAS office, including supervision of ORAS personnel
• Providing input to Section Chairs during faculty evaluations and reviews for promotion and tenure
• Supervising Center Directors and the Eastern Shore Laboratory
• In coordination with the Dean & Director’s Office and appropriate committees, writing, issuing, and interpreting policies that govern research activity
• Coordinating with the Dean & Director and Assistant Dean on advisory service directives from the executive and legislative branches
• Representing the organization, when appropriate, on scientific and advisory committees or identifying the appropriate surrogate

The conduct of individual research and teaching by the Associate Dean of Research and Advisory Services is facilitated to the extent that the primary duties expressed herein permit. However, it is expected that execution of administrative duties will always take precedence, and any engagement in teaching and research will be addressed through a separate Memorandum of Understanding.

Required Qualifications and Education:

• D. in coastal or marine science or related field, with a record of scientific accomplishment sufficient to be hired at the Full Professor level and receive tenure within the Batten School at William & Mary
• Excellent organizational and leadership skills, with the ability to exercise a high degree of diplomacy, collaboration, and problem solving
• Integrity, with the ability to navigate conflict effectively and advise on matters that may be sensitive or confidential; use of tact, discretion, sound judgment and decisiveness.
• Effective communication skills, and the ability to interact with sensitivity across diverse groups of individuals
• Experience with the administration and/or governance of an academic or scholarly program at an institution of higher education
• Demonstrated record of sound financial management
• Demonstrated ability to design, develop and implement strong, interdisciplinary scholarly work

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with leadership or management of federal (e.g., NOAA, NSF, EPA) programs
• Experience working closely with an office of sponsored programs to manage programmatic activities
• Experience with institutional or programmatic data management
• Experience with environmental management
• Experience in dealing with non-academic issues/industry

Applicants may apply here.

Position will remain open until filled with applicant review beginning November 12, 2024.

Application materials for the position must include: 1) a CV; 2) a cover letter; 3) a candidate statement that describes your experience building and growing an impactful research program, including success from multiple sources (e.g. federal and state agencies and foundations), and your leadership philosophy and approach to leading broad, multidisciplinary teams; and 4) the names (including titles and institutions), addresses, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of 3 professional references.

Position is eligible for relocation assistance Click here for details about position benefits & leave

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.

About the Batten School at VIMS

The Batten School at VIMS has a three-part mission to conduct research in coastal ocean and estuarine science, educate students and the public, and provide advisory service to policy- makers, industry, and the public. We provide these services to Virginia, the nation, and the world. Chartered in 1940, VIMS is currently among the largest marine research and education centers in the United States. The Batten School at VIMS is the academic school in coastal & marine sciences for William & Mary. Recently named through a $100,000,000 gift, it offers outstanding education and research opportunities for students who seek advanced careers in academia, government, or the private sector, including research-focused MS and PhD degrees, a newly launched professional (MA) degree, and a BS degree that is currently in review with the state accrediting agency.