Executive Director, Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT)

Job no: 534549

Work type: Administrative & Professional

Senior management: Vice President for Research

Department: Inst for Creativity, Arts & Tech

Location: Blacksburg, Virginia

Categories: Executive / Director / Management, Research / Scientific

About the position:

Virginia Tech is seeking a strategic and effective leader to serve as the Executive Director of the Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT). This is an extraordinary opportunity to collaborate across Virginia Tech and work with stakeholders to further advance the university’s priorities as a senior member of the research and innovation leadership team. Reporting to the Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation, and working closely with other institute directors, the main focus of the Executive Director will be to elaborate upon and shape the Institute’s strategic direction, and establish priorities that will leverage existing strengths and resources, including its talented faculty and cutting-edge facilities. In collaboration with faculty across departments, schools, institutes, and colleges, the Executive Director will create and lead a comprehensive interdisciplinary research strategy that helps elevate Virginia Tech’s profile and impact at the intersection of arts with technology. The successful candidate must be an experienced leader whose passion and tact inspires and energizes faculty, students, and staff to reach for excellence in research, education, and outreach. The Executive Director will communicate with stakeholders effectively and frequently, be of the highest integrity, act as an excellent and trustworthy steward of university resources, and be transparent. The Executive Director must be a respected scholar with a clear record of success leading and supporting cross-, inter, and transdisciplinary efforts. The successful candidate will be a visionary collaborator who designs strategies and executes plans to further elevate an active research enterprise at the interface of the arts and technology, which support Virginia Tech’s Beyond Boundaries initiatives and its two presidential priorities – Global Distinction and Virginia Tech Advantage.

As a member of Virginia Tech’s senior leadership, the Executive Director collaborates closely with senior leaders of the University, helping establish priorities and execute initiatives through regular engagements as a member of the President’s Council, the Academic Affairs Council, the Arts@VT, and the Research and Innovation Council. As one of four investment institutes at Virginia Tech, ICAT’s collaborations and partnerships, within and across colleges and other areas of the university, are essential to the success of the Institute and its affiliated faculty. This individual will manage a portfolio of funds designated to support interdisciplinary, groundbreaking collaborations that maximize the integration of arts and technology.

About the Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology

ICAT is an instrument of strategic university investment to enhance the quality, quantity, and competitiveness of arts and technology research, education, and outreach within Virginia Tech and beyond. The Institute provides opportunities for collaboration through targeted investment of seed funding and shared facilities to support interdisciplinary research across the sciences, engineering, the arts, technology and design. ICAT currently supports programs for faculty, post-docs, and graduate and undergraduate students in the following areas: immersive technology, sustainability, community outreach, empowering data, and amplification of the arts. The mission of ICAT is to elevate Virginia Tech’s profile and impact in the arts, innovation, and creative expression, increasing connections across disciplines and campuses.

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 the academic buildings in Northern Virginia; 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 is an equal opportunity employer.

Responsibilities:

• Advance Virginia Tech’s national and international reputation in arts, design, and creative technologies through opportunities for faculty research, visiting appointments, and student engagement through fellowships, assistantships, and internships.

• Develop a forward-looking vision for cutting-edge research at the intersection of arts, technology, and education.

• Align research investments with funding opportunities and forge strategic partnerships with governmental agencies, industry, and other stakeholders to drive the institute’s research agenda.

• Promote interdisciplinary linkages within the University.

• Manage institute operations, including supervising and mentoring staff and maintaining fiscal accountability through effective budget planning.

• Provide cross-disciplinary leadership and advocacy for faculty engagement and development, including support for promotion and tenure.

• Facilitate opportunities for student and faculty research and scholarship through fellowships, assistantships, visiting faculty appointments, and internal initiatives.

• Build and sustain relationships with key external stakeholders, including alumni, donors, advisory board members, and corporate and governmental partners.

• Support fundraising, advancement, and visibility of Virginia Tech through strategic external engagement and communication efforts.

• Provide ongoing mentorship, professional development, and leadership support to direct reports to foster a collaborative, high-performing team culture.

Required Qualifications

A terminal degree appropriate for the discipline is required. The successful candidate must possess a record of recognized achievement in research, scholarly and educational pursuits, and service meriting appointment at the rank of Professor at Virginia Tech.

Desired experience and qualifications of the successful candidate include:

● Served as a visionary, inspirational, and strategic leader with knowledge and experience leading research organizations, for example, in academic institutions, research institutes, and/or centers or their equivalent.

● Significant research record and reputation at the intersection of arts and technology that includes a strong external income record, experience in industry/academic collaboration, and a record in interdisciplinary collaboration.

● Extensive knowledge, expertise, and vision for the use of creative technologies across disciplines and the application of those research outcomes in external settings.

● Proven ability to work across organizational boundaries with a variety of stakeholders to build and maintain relationships.

● High level of diplomacy, discretion, and problem-solving skills.

● Ability to develop, communicate, and execute a vision for a research organization to grow its portfolio, reputation, and impact.

● History of significant and well-funded research, scholarly achievement, and distinguished international reputation in the candidate’s specific field.

● Proven track record in management and budgetary responsibility.

● Demonstrated clear communication and negotiation skills.

● Appreciation for, and experience in faculty mentoring, particularly supporting early-career faculty in engaging in sponsored research.

● Experience managing research resources, including seed funding, faculty support, research facilities, and office space.

● Respect for shared governance and experience advocating for faculty, staff, and students.

● Demonstrated leadership and development of direct reports, and personnel management.

Salary Information

Commensurate with experience

Review Date

November 24, 2025

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Advertised: October 15, 2025

Applications close: Open until filled