Assistant Director for Research Portfolio & Program Development

ADAC-ARCTIC is seeking an Assistant Director for Research Portfolio and Program Development to help advance innovative research and strategic programs addressing rapid environmental, maritime, and infrastructure changes across the Arctic. The ideal candidate will bring demonstrated experience leading externally funded research initiatives, developing competitive funding opportunities, managing complex project portfolios, and building collaborative partnerships with federal, state, academic, industry, Tribal, and community stakeholders.

Success in this role requires strong leadership with the ability to drive innovation, assess emerging risks, and translate research into actionable solutions that support resilient Arctic communities and informed decision-making. If you are a collaborative and forward-thinking leader committed to advancing impactful Arctic research and development, we encourage you to apply.

As the Assistant Director for Research Portfolio & Program Development, responsibilities include leading the planning, coordination, and oversight of ADAC-ARCTIC's research portfolio to ensure projects remain aligned with Center priorities, sponsor requirements, budgets, schedules, and performance expectations. This role manages portfolio tracking systems, monitors project progress and risks, reviews deliverables for quality and compliance, facilitates communication among Principal Investigators, research teams, and Center leadership, and develops reports, dashboards, briefings, and strategic recommendations that support informed decision-making.

The position is responsible for identifying and pursuing new funding opportunities, coordinating the development of grant proposals and research initiatives, and expanding the Center's portfolio through strategic partnerships and externally funded projects. Responsibilities also include managing competitive research solicitations, overseeing project initiation and performance monitoring processes, improving operational workflows and project management practices, and supporting accountability across multiple concurrent research activities.

The Assistant Director provides functional leadership to Center staff and project teams by coordinating priorities, resolving operational challenges, facilitating collaboration, and promoting consistent project management, documentation, reporting, and customer service standards. The role additionally leads the planning and execution of major Center meetings, workshops, conferences, and stakeholder engagements, represents Center leadership in partner and sponsor interactions, and develops executive-level analyses, recommendations, and strategic options that advance the Center's research, operational, and long-term programmatic goals.

To thrive in this role, the candidate should possess significant experience leading complex research programs, externally funded projects, and multi-stakeholder initiatives that require strategic planning, organizational leadership, and accountability for outcomes. They will have a demonstrated track record of managing multiple priorities simultaneously while effectively coordinating sponsors, researchers, partners, and project teams to achieve program objectives.

The candidate will bring extensive experience developing external funding strategies and preparing successful grant proposals, cooperative agreements, concept papers, white papers, and other funding requests. They should have a strong understanding of sponsored research administration, federal funding environments, budget development, financial stewardship, and the regulatory and operational requirements associated with externally funded research programs.

Expert‑level knowledge of research methodologies, analytical…