William & Mary

Vice Provost for Research

William & Mary (W&M) invites nominations and applications for the position of Vice Provost for Research (VPR). This is an extremely consequential search for W&M, given the truly extraordinary opportunity to develop and execute a vision and strategy that substantially expands the current university research enterprise. William & Mary expects to receive a Carnegie classification of Doctoral University with Very High Research Activity (R1) in 2025, and seeks a VPR to lead an effort to further strengthen, grow, and diversify its research portfolio. Within this context, the successful candidate will offer a highly strategic vision, as well as effectively reimagine and transform W&M’s research infrastructure and operations to position the university for remarkable growth.

William & Mary’s financial indicators of funding success have improved over the past five years. In FY2024, the university received $74M in awards, and OSP expenditures totalled $62.4M. W&M wants to accelerate these trends by growing its research portfolio significantly, particularly its sponsored research and scholarship.

The energy on campus surrounding research growth is a product of numerous recent developments. For example, a transformational $100 million gift from philanthropist Jane Batten will catalyze the newly named Batten School of Coastal and Marine Sciences and position W&M and VIMS as the premier destination for developing solutions to grave challenges faced by marine systems and billions of people who live near coastlines—challenges resulting from the accelerating pace of global change. 

Likewise, the recent creation of the first new school at W&M in over fifty years is joining together computer science, data science, applied science, and physics. The four units comprising this new school share a strong commitment to engaging in innovative, externally funded research and graduate training while simultaneously providing exceptional undergraduate education.  The new school of Computing, Data Sciences and Physics will launch formally in Fall 2025.

Building on existing strengths in the social sciences, the Global Research Institute has generated over $94 million in external grant funding and has established William & Mary as the preferred research partner for government agencies interested in geospatial impact evaluations, the link between technology & democracy, international debt, and China’s soft power playbook. Recently the university broke ground on a new $30 million building, Robert M. Gates Hall, being built to catalyze and support multidisciplinary student-faculty research teams spanning the university’s schools and departments.

The next VPR will build, lead and execute vision and strategy for research at W&M that increases communication and collaboration, fosters a university-wide sense of research community and empowers individuals to achieve. In addition, the VPR will evaluate the current structure and operations of the VPR’s office to ensure optimal productivity and will build research infrastructure, including significant expansion of the research development function and improvement of research-related business practices. The VPR will also partner with deans and academic units to advance research and to enhance extramurally supported research across the schools and colleges from all sources; initiate partnerships with government agencies, industry and other organizations; and recognize highly productive faculty and promote university research accomplishments externally by working with Communications and Marketing.

The Vice Provost for Research will lead research transformation at William & Mary. The successful candidate will demonstrate passion for research-driven innovation and knowledge discovery, appreciate the importance of different types of research across many different disciplines, and demonstrate experience building inclusive and diverse partnerships both within and across organizations. Candidates should be intellectually curious and have a strong reputation for creative research with real-life applications and impact. The successful candidate will have a proven record in securing funding from external organizations, such as government agencies, industry, and/or foundations.

The Vice Provost for Research must be a strategic, visionary, and collaborative leader. The successful candidate will have had prior administrative and leadership experience at a research organization, whether university, industry, or agency. The next VPR should have a demonstrated record of building an enterprise or leading significant change. The most viable candidates will be able to translate vision into action.

Founded in 1693 in what would become Virginia’s colonial capital, Williamsburg, William & Mary has evolved with the nation it serves and is now one of the top public liberal arts and sciences-based research universities in the country. U.S. News and World Report ranks William & Mary among the top 25 public universities in the United States and 17th best in undergraduate teaching among all national universities. It is ranked as the eighth best public school in the country for internships, and tenth for making an impact. According to recent data from the National Science Foundation, out of all public colleges, William & Mary has the highest percentage of graduates who go on to doctoral programs.

The full Position Specification is available at https://bit.ly/WilliamMaryVPR.

Inquiries, nominations, and applications are invited. Interested candidates should submit confidentially, in electronic form (Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF files preferred), a curriculum vitae and any supporting materials that they deem relevant to:

Jett Pihakis, Ph.D.

Russell Reynolds Associates

WM.VPR@russellreynolds.com

(202) 654-7870

For fullest consideration, materials should be received as soon as possible and preferably by December 16, 2024.

William & Mary is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.