Director, Research for the Center for the Study of HBCUs

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Center for the Study of HBCUs at Virginia Union University seeks a dynamic and visionary Director of Research to lead and coordinate its research agenda. The Director will play a critical role in advancing the mission of the Center by organizing and managing scholarly activities, fostering collaborative research, and producing impactful publications.

The successful candidate will be responsible for developing a comprehensive research strategy, curating academic conferences and symposiums, overseeing the production of edited volumes and manuscripts, and issuing calls for papers for presentation and publication. Situated within one of the nation’s historic HBCUs, the position carries both scholarly and institutional significance: the Director will help shape the national discourse on the history, contemporary impact, and future trajectory of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Research Leadership and Strategy

• Design and implement the Center’s annual and long-term research agenda in alignment with its mission, the University’s strategic goals, and emerging national priorities in HBCU scholarship.
• Identify and cultivate research opportunities that promote deeper understanding of the history, impact, and future of HBCUs.
• Support interdisciplinary research initiatives and collaborations within and beyond the institution.
• Establish research standards, protocols, and review processes that ensure methodological rigor and compliance with institutional review requirements.

Program Coordination

• Coordinate and manage academic events, including conferences, symposia, colloquia, and roundtables.
• Develop themes, secure keynote speakers, and manage logistics and scholarly content for each event.
• Promote active engagement of faculty, students, and external scholars in research-related programming.
• Develop event budgets and program timelines, and coordinate with University offices on facilities, communications, and hospitality.

Publications and Editorial Oversight

• Serve as lead editor and coordinator for Center publications, including edited volumes, white papers, and peer-reviewed manuscripts.
• Oversee the development and production of scholarly publications from inception through peer review and publication.
• Issue and manage calls for papers, coordinate editorial boards, and support contributing authors throughout the process.
• Maintain publication schedules and manage relationships with university presses, journals, and academic publishing partners.

Institutional and Scholarly Engagement

• Build networks with scholars, institutions, and organizations committed to the study and advancement of HBCUs.
• Represent the Center at national and international academic conferences, panels, and meetings.
• Collaborate with other institutional research centers, faculty, and graduate students to advance scholarly output.
• Support the Executive Director in cultivating relationships with funders, consortia, and peer HBCU research centers.

Data and Knowledge Management

• Maintain a research archive and repository of HBCU-related scholarship produced by or in partnership with the Center.
• Ensure proper documentation, dissemination, and preservation of research findings and resources.
• Coordinate with University libraries, archives, and information technology to maintain data integrity, access controls, and long-term digital preservation.

Supervision and Administration

• Supervise assigned research staff, graduate research assistants, and undergraduate research fellows, including hiring recommendations, work assignment, professional development, and performance evaluation.
• Monitor research program budgets and expenditures in coordination with the Executive Director and the Office of Finance.
• Prepare periodic reports on research activity, publication output, and program outcomes for the Executive Director and University leadership.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission of the Center and the University.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. or terminal degree in a relevant field (e.g., African American Studies, Education, History, Public Policy, or Higher Education Administration).
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in academic research, scholarly publication, and program coordination.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and commitment to Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
• Proven track record of scholarly publication and editorial experience.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage concurrent initiatives and deadlines.
• Excellent written and oral communication abilities.
• Experience with academic event planning and management is highly desirable.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience securing and managing research grants or sponsored programs.
• Familiarity with digital scholarship tools and academic publishing platforms.
• Ability to mentor and support emerging scholars, including graduate and undergraduate students.
• Prior service at an HBCU or a minority-serving institution.
• Experience convening national convenings, consortia, or multi-institution research collaborations.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Command of qualitative, quantitative, and archival research methods and the ability to evaluate the rigor of others’ work.
• Editorial judgment sufficient to shepherd manuscripts from proposal through peer review to publication.
• Capacity to work collaboratively across faculty, staff, students, external scholars, and community partners.
• Discretion and sound judgment in handling confidential research, personnel, and pre-publication material.
• Proficiency with reference management, survey, and data analysis software, and with standard productivity and collaboration platforms.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work is performed primarily in an office and academic environment on the Virginia Union University campus in Richmond, Virginia. The position requires the ability to communicate effectively in person, in writing, and by telephone or video conference; to operate standard office technology; and to remain at a workstation for extended periods.

Occasional evening and weekend hours are required in support of conferences, symposia, and Center programming. Periodic domestic travel, and occasional international travel, is required for scholarly representation of the Center. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants should submit the following materials to [Insert Application Portal or Email Address]:

• A cover letter addressing the candidate’s research agenda and alignment with the mission of the Center;
• A current curriculum vitae;
• One writing sample or representative publication; and
• The names and contact information of three (3) professional references.

Review of applications will begin [Insert Date] and continue until the position is filled. Finalists will be asked to deliver a research presentation to Center faculty, staff, and students. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation and verification of academic credentials.

This is a pivotal role in shaping the national discourse around HBCUs through scholarship and intellectual engagement. The Center welcomes innovative, mission-driven applicants ready to lead research that elevates the past, present, and future of HBCUs.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

Virginia Union University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law in its employment practices, educational programs, or activities.

Virginia Union University is a private, historically Black institution founded in 1865 and affiliated with the Baptist tradition. Consistent with its mission and applicable law, the University considers all qualified applicants and provides reasonable accommodation to applicants and employees with disabilities upon request.

For more information about Virginia Union University, visit it VUU About Page.

The statements contained in this position description reflect general details necessary to describe the principal functions of this position, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility. This description should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may be asked to perform other duties as assigned. The University reserves the right to modify this description at any time.