Executive Director, Institute for Advanced Computing (IAC)

Virginia Tech invites nominations and applications for the position of the inaugural Executive Director of the Institute for Advanced Computing (IAC). The Executive Director will serve as the visionary and strategic leader responsible for shaping its long-term vision, expanding its partnerships, and positioning it for national and international prominence. Reporting to the Vice President for the Greater Washington, D.C. Area, and working in close collaboration with senior university leadership and the IAC Managing Director, the Executive Director will guide the Institute’s strategic direction while enabling its operational and academic success. This is a rare opportunity for a bold, collaborative, and entrepreneurial leader to build a dynamic, interdisciplinary institute from the ground up—at the intersection of academia, government, and industry—in one of the most important tech corridors in the country.

The IAC holds a distinctive mandate within Virginia Tech. In addition to advancing world‑class research, the Institute is responsible for delivering high‑quality academic programs—notably industry‑informed Master of Engineering degrees. The Executive Director serves as the chief executive of the Institute, with ultimate authority and accountability for strategy, performance, and resource alignment that underpins this dual mission and will propel the Institute’s research enterprise to achieve national prominence and sustained global impact. The Executive Director will identify priority areas for investment and partnership, positioning the Institute within key innovation ecosystems in the greater D.C. area, identifying and working with areas of strength at Virginia Tech that align with the IAC vision and advancing its reputation as a leader in advanced computing research and graduate education. Serving as the Institute’s primary external representative, the Executive Director will position the IAC to expand on its research and educational collaborations, secure new sources of philanthropic investments to reach its fundraising goal of $250M, and advance public-private initiatives that contribute to economic development and workforce innovation in the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond. The Executive Director will lead an accomplished team, including the IAC’s Managing Director, who oversees the execution of the Institute’s day-to-day operations and academic programs, thereby enabling the Executive Director to concentrate on external engagement, strategic growth, and institutional advancement.

The successful candidate must be a highly collaborative leader with a distinguished record of accomplishment, as defined by the individual’s career trajectory, in fields related to advanced computing and demonstrated leadership in positions of significant responsibility in academia, private, or public sectors. The Executive Director will be expected to thrive in a distributed environment—both geographically, given Virginia Tech’s multi-campus presence, and organizationally, working effectively across diverse units and stakeholder groups. Equally important, the Executive Director should bring a strong record of institutional leadership, fundraising, and partner engagement, including the capacity to translate strategic vision into operational success, deliver on complex initiatives, and sustain momentum across multiple priorities and constituencies.

Virginia Tech has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist with this important search. Confidential applications, inquiries, and nominations should be directed to the search firm.

Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent below.

Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged.

Visit to apply: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/virginia-polytechnic-institute-and-state-university-institute-advanced-computing

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

$300,000 - $450,000

Hours per week

40+, M-F, evenings and weekends as needed

Review Date

Review of applications is ongoing with Isaacson, Miller.

Additional Information

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

Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website: IAC Executive Director 

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 Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, 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 does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Isaacson, Miller during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.