Careers at Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech Transportation Institute seeks a qualified, ambitious Program Specialist to support our growing Supply Chain, Transportation, Automation, and Resource Sustainability (STARS) team by helping plan and lead stakeholder events, manage partner engagements, and contribute to key research activities. This team focuses on supply chain research as it relates to the needs of a Coalition comprised of 87 members from sectors of academia, industry, government, and non-profits.

The individual filling this role will be supporting the STARS teams many outreach research initiatives with a focus on the teams Dock to Door (D2D) Coalition efforts. The D2D Coalition strives to advance supply chain resiliency through partnership, research, and innovation to ensure goods are moving seamlessly and reliably from dock to door through a fully connected, environmentally sustainable, and equitable transportation system. A Coalition of this magnitude, with its multiple moving pieces, programs and partnerships, requires a creative, independent, flexible, and highly motivated candidate with good communication skills, strong work habits, and ability to work effectively within a team.

Responsibilities and Expectations

Stakeholder Event Planning:
• Plan and facilitate logistics for all events, overseeing day of operations from set up to break down (includes contract negotiations, guest lists, venue preparation, presentation materials, agenda development, accessibility needs, catering, entertainment, transportation, equipment, décor, etc.)
• Build and maintain a database of industry contacts, vendors, and venues
• Work with other departments to ensure budget is maintained

Partner Engagement:
• Train and lead group on implementations of new Salesforce database
• Assist engagement officers with maintaining said database
• Strategize overall coalition building initiatives with other STARS team members
• Develop varying materials for advisory board meetings, event presentation slides, marketing efforts, etc.

Research Related Tasks as needed:
• Assist PI’s with drafting and submitting IRB documents and amendments
• Perform literature reviews
• Assist with writing technical reports sections

Proposal Related Tasks as needed:
• Coordinate or execute written narratives and graphics that meet RFP solicitations
• Coordinate with internal SMEs and project consultants to expand documentation of projects and update existing materials
• Compile proposal win themes and discriminators from our partner database and present information to leads for developing win strategies

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field. An exception for a lesser degree with significant related experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated experience planning and facilitating logistics for big events
• Demonstrated experiences in developing and managing positive relationships with external sponsors, partners, and vendors
• Demonstrated experience tracking, managing, and interpreting financial information
• Creative, independent, and highly motivated, with good communication skills, strong work habits and the ability to work independently and with a team
• Strong writing and editing skills, with a demonstrated ability to understand and communicate technical information to a variety of audiences
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple tasks and administrative duties
• Demonstrated evidence of effective documentation habits

• Demonstrated project management experience in conducting complex projects in an academic or research environment
• Ability to plan and implement research activities efficiently and effectively
• Experience with managing state budget expenses and corresponding restrictions
• Experience in Transportation Research or related field
• Experience with Salesforce

4

Restricted

Commensurate with experience, starting at $43k

2/24/2035

We are unable to sponsor work visas for this position. 

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

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 Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 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.