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Pay Grade/Pay Range:  Minimum: $187,100 - Maximum: $374,200 (Salaried E20)

Department/Organization: 750401 - Alabama Transportation Institute

Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm

Job Summary: The Executive Director of the Alabama Transportation Institute (ATI) leads an organization that delivers collaborative transportation research across the University by embracing the full range of disciplines represented within ATI. The Executive Director will elevate ATI’s local, national, and international profile and coordinate closely with state and federal agencies; partner with University faculty and staff to identify, promote, and contribute to strengthening ATI while managing its research, outreach, and varied funding portfolio; stimulate the development of new research centers consistent with the ATI’s research focus; support high impact research and development that translates from fundamental to applied programs with the accompanying scholarly activities; engage a range of internal and external partners to advance ATI’s mission; and ensure a stimulating, collegial, and well-managed working environment.

Additional Department Summary: The University of Alabama (UA) seeks a visionary and dynamic Executive Director for the Alabama Transportation Institute (ATI).

The Executive Director reports directly to the Vice President for Research & Economic Development and serves in a full-time, 12-month, administrative position. Due to the wide scope of responsibilities, UA invites strong candidates with various backgrounds and experiences from academia, government, non-profit, and/or industry to apply. Depending on background and experience, the Executive Director may be a professional staff position and/or an adjunct or tenured faculty member in an appropriate academic department at UA, subject to UA’s standard review practices.

Founded in 2017, the mission of ATI at UA is to facilitate and reflect world-class leadership in interdisciplinary transportation research that serves the State of Alabama and beyond. The interdisciplinary institute enables Alabama to lead the way on emerging issues like developing creative solutions for financing the construction and maintenance of roads and bridges, advancing transportation safety research, pushing the frontiers of vehicle electrification, and evaluating the impact that a quality transportation system will have on Alabama’s and the nation’s economic future. ATI serves as an independent resource that develops unbiased information for use by local, state, and national leaders in developing transportation policy. The result of which is more and better-informed decision-making that leads to innovative, data-driven, cost-effective solutions that advance workforce development, economic development, safety, and quality of life through sustainable transportation solutions.

The key responsibilities of the ATI Executive Director are as follows:

Develop ATI’s national and international profile. Collaborate with transportation-related scholars through effective leadership that embraces the full range of transportation-related disciplines inside and outside ATI. Partner to identify, promote, and contribute resources to strengthen ATI and manage its portfolio to ensure ATI is self-sustainable. This includes identifying and supporting opportunities for research within existing funding streams and, where possible, through multi-disciplinary collaboration and partnerships inside and outside the University, especially in terms of state partnerships, state agencies, and national organizations.

Collaborate with academic units to attract, retain, and develop faculty and staff who promote academic and research excellence. Assist in student workforce development related to ATI’s mission. Pursue, manage, and grow appropriations from the state of Alabama and national funding sources in support of ATI’s mission. Lead regular meetings of the ATI Coordinating Council, consisting of involved research center directors, and foster an engaging External Advisory Council. Stimulate the development of new research centers that are consistent with ATI’s research focus and leverage unique research resources within the University in those efforts.

In December 2018, the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education designated UA as a Very High Research Activity Doctoral University, formerly called “R1,” a designation assigned to the nation’s highest level of research activity for institutions that grant doctoral degrees, placing UA among the most elite research universities in the U.S. The Carnegie designation followed unprecedented investment in the campus and in new faculty. Since July 2015, UA President, Dr. Stuart R. Bell, has overseen a $1.16 billion investment in the physical campus, adding more than 2.55 million gross sq ft of space, and the recruitment of over 250 new research-intensive faculty and research professional staff.

This is an exciting time to join UA. The progress of UA’s research and economic development enterprise over the past five years has been extraordinary. The total amount of open grants and contracts on the University campus is now more than $600 Million. Moreover, the annual research expenditures on campus have grown over 150% during the last five years. This growth rate strengthens UA’s position as one of the fastest rising R1 institutions in the United States.

Skills and Knowledge: Extensive research and operational experience working in an academic, industrial, and/or government setting. Experience developing and leading successful partnerships with multiple academic institutions, industry, state and federal governmental agencies, and foundations. Experience leading successful cross-disciplinary research teams, as evidenced nationally and, preferably, internationally. Evidence of a firm understanding of the full range of disciplines represented by ATI. Demonstrated experience with government relations, including developing proposals and securing state and/or federal funding. Compelling evidence of being a trusted and effective colleague. History of successful and effective staff management and professional development, and the proven capacity to recruit and successfully train and develop researchers. Acute understanding of the priorities, operation, and strategies of securing externally funded grants and contracts to support research and applied research.

Preferred Qualifications: In addition to meeting the required qualifications, the preferred candidate will have one or more of the following:

Evidence of national and/or international reputation in one or more of the scientific disciplines represented by ATI. Successful and sustained record of achieving prominent levels of research-based funding as a Principal Investigator. Existing externally funded research in areas of science and engineering represented by ATI and the desire to maintain funding and a vibrant scholastic record while serving in the Executive Director position. A record of pursuing and supporting technology transfer and licensing for economic development activities.

The planned start date is October 1, 2024, but is negotiable. Only applicants currently legally eligible to work in the United States will be considered. This is an open, national, and rolling search and will continue until the position is filled. Review of applications will begin immediately as they are received. Candidates meeting all the required qualifications may be contacted immediately for inquiry and interview. It is possible that a preferred candidate may be selected as other applications are still being received. Therefore, the most serious and qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their application as soon as possible. To receive the fullest and timely consideration, applications should be submitted prior to July 31, 2024. Applications submitted after July 31, 2024 will be reviewed and considered if the position remains unfilled. Application materials should include: 1) A cover letter summarizing interest in the position and how the minimum and any preferred qualifications are met; 2) a full and updated resume; 3) a document that outlines the vision and impact the candidate would provide in leadership, growth, and direction as the Executive Director of ATI (no longer than three pages); and 4) a list of four references with complete contact information. However, references will only be contacted after written consent of the candidate.

Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.

Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, genetic or family medical history information, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected basis, and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. Follow the link below to find out more. "EEO is the Law" Poster