Department Head

Job Description

Introduction

The Department of Sustainable Biomaterials in the College of Natural Resources and Environment (CNRE) at Virginia Tech invites nominations and applications for the position of Department Head in the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials. We seek a visionary and strategic leader with exceptional communication skills who can guide the department through a dynamic period of growth, opportunity, and change within the discipline, and across the college, university, and national levels.

The position will include an appointment as Professor with tenure in the department.

The Department of Sustainable Biomaterials in the College of Natural Resources and Environment at Virginia Tech is internationally recognized for excellence in teaching, research, and engagement with a focus on sustainable bioeconomies. Faculty expertise spans sustainable biomaterials science and engineering, packaging systems design and engineering, sustainable manufacturing, and industrial ecology.

The department maintains strong collaborations with industry, trade organizations, government partners, and academic units across the university. With an emphasis on innovation and interdisciplinary approaches, faculty and students address critical global challenges.

The department strives to foster a collegial and collaborative environment that values open communication, strong leadership, and the ability to adapt to change. It is home to faculty, staff, and students who are dedicated to advancing knowledge and preparing the next generation of leaders.

The Department Head provides strategic leadership, vision, and administrative oversight for all aspects of the department’s teaching, research, and outreach missions. Responsibilities include faculty and staff recruitment, mentorship, and evaluation; budget and resource management; fostering industry, state, and federal agency partnerships; stewarding alumni relationships; facilitating external funding success; and advancing the department’s reputation across Virginia Tech, the nation, and the world.

The Department Head will also serve as a key member of the CNRE leadership team and collaborate on initiatives that strengthen the college’s contributions to the university’s land grant mission.

• A Ph.D. in a discipline aligned with current and emerging opportunities within the department.
• Demonstrated ability to articulate, implement and lead a forward‑looking vision for innovative teaching, research, and engagement programs that strengthen the department’s impact within the college, university, and beyond.
• A record of engagement, teaching, and research accomplishments commensurate with tenure at the rank of full professor.

• Demonstrated ability to build a strong sense of community across diverse members (i.e., students, staff, faculty industry collaborators), manage conflict effectively, and exercise clear and balanced decision‑making.
• Demonstrated exceptional interpersonal and communication skills that promote open, transparent, and collaborative interactions across a wide range of stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, industry partners, and university leaders.
• A broad and integrative perspective on the fields of sustainable biomaterials, packaging, and industrial ecology, with the ability to anticipate and shape responses to new opportunities and challenges.
• Exemplary service as an innovative and adaptive leader who can navigate organizational change, build consensus, and foster resilience in times of transition.
• A sophisticated understanding of current and emerging trends in the fields represented within the department as well as trends and challenges in higher education.

Overtime Status:
Exempt – Not eligible for overtime.

Appointment Type:
Regular

Hours per week: 40

Review Date: 2/13/2026

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

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 Jennifer Phillips at jewolfor during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.