Strategic Outreach Manager

The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) is seeking a Strategic Outreach Manager to drive our organizational strategy, growth, and external engagement activities. This role is pivotal in achieving sustained growth and excellence, directly supporting the Virginia Tech Global Distinction priority. We are looking for an experienced professional with a strong background in organizational strategy and effectiveness, coupled with excellent writing skills. The Strategic Outreach Manager will play a key role in VTTI’s proposal activities, foster strategic partnerships, and enhance the institute's capabilities. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with excellent organizational skills and a strong ability to collaborate across divisions and drive organizational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities:
• Proposal Support and Strategy: Partner with the Proposal Manager to provide comprehensive support for proposal development, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and client requirements. Streamline proposal processes across departments, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness.
• Organizational Strategy and Growth: Shape business development strategies in collaboration with Chief of Staff and Chief Growth Officer. Assist in aligning organizational strategies and priorities across departments by ensuring consistency in messaging and objectives from proposal through project completion. Support the Chief Growth Officer in identifying new areas of growth and opportunities based on industry trends.
• External Engagement: Work closely with VTTI leadership to align goals with overall business development strategies and co-create campaigns targeted toward growth markets. Support the Chief of Staff in defining KPIs and metrics to measure the impact of external engagement strategies on overall goals.

Directions Given and Received:
• Work independently to complete tasks and projects, demonstrating strong self-motivation and initiative.
• Receive guidance and direction from the Chief Growth
Officer, Chief of Staff, and VTTI's Proposal Manager, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and priorities.
• Collaborate with these leaders to develop and refine strategies, proposals, and engagement plans.
• Provide regular updates and reports to the Chief Growth Officer, Chief of Staff, and Proposal Manager, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Adapt to feedback and direction from multiple stakeholders, balancing priorities and managing expectations effectively.

• Master’s degree in Business, Journalism, English, Communications or related field. A lesser degree coupled with significant industry experience in emerging transportation technology will also be considered.
• Demonstrated experience leading the development of an organizational strategic plan and guiding the execution of strategic plans
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work across various functions and leadership levels
• Comprehensive knowledge of English grammar and demonstrated ability to edit and write internally- and externally-facing materials for multiple audiences
• Ability to communicate complex technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Demonstrated experience in technical writing, research editing, and grant/contract proposal coordination
• Familiarity with federal government acquisition, solicitation/RFP process and contracting resources
• Strong knowledge of the proposal and project management process
• Advanced project and program management skills, with proven experience leading enterprise-wide initiatives
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage industry partnerships
• Attention to detail and excellent analytical, critical thinking, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills

• Experience leading industry events and curating bespoke experiences and technology demos
• Experience in a supervisory role
• Previous experience in a similar role within a research institute, academic institution, or industry research division

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Restricted

Commensurate with experience

40+

7/21/2025

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.