Program Development Director - Airport Cooperative Research Program

Job Description Summary

NOTE A COVER LETTER IS REQUIRED FOR CONSIDERATION

In this senior-level strategic role with no direct supervisory responsibilities, the Program Development Director, Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP), leads the development, coordination, and delivery of applied transportation research produced through ACRP. ACRP is sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and managed by the Transportation Research Board. ACRP undertakes research that directly engages and benefits the airport industry.

Reporting to the Director of the Cooperative Research Programs and working closely with both the Director and Deputy Director, the Program Development Director serves as a primary staff partner to the ACRP Oversight Committee and FAA. The position ensures that the oversight committee's priorities, decisions, and guidance, together with external stakeholder input, are effectively translated into internal program delivery activities and cohesive research portfolios.

The role exercises substantial independent judgment, manages a portfolio of complex and high-visibility research projects, and engages extensively with senior volunteers, sponsors, and stakeholders across the transportation community.

The Transportation Research Board (TRB), a division of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, provides leadership in transportation innovation through objective, evidence-based research and convenes experts from government, industry, and academia to address complex transportation challenges. Within TRB, the Cooperative Research Programs (CRP) is a group of applied research programs—such as the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP), Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP), and Behavioral Traffic Safety Cooperative Research Program (BTSCRP), among others—that develop practical, implementable solutions to current and emerging transportation issues through stakeholder-driven research and collaboration.

Responsibilities

Oversight Committee & Program Development

• Work in close cooperation with the Director and Deputy Director to support the program oversight committee in identifying, refining, and prioritizing research needs.
• Prepare analyses, options, and recommendations to support oversight committee deliberations and approval of research projects.
• Contribute substantively to program development by integrating oversight committee guidance, stakeholder input, and operational considerations.
• Ensure oversight committee decisions and priorities are clearly communicated and addressed through internal delivery activities.

Oversight Committee Meeting Planning & Support

• Lead planning and coordination of oversight committee meetings, including agendas, schedules, materials, and decision frameworks, in cooperation with the Director.
• Develop executive-quality briefing materials, background papers, program updates, and decision documents.
• Document committee decisions, track action items, and coordinate follow-up to support timely implementation.

Stakeholder Engagement & Environmental Scanning

• Independently engage with federal, state, local, and private‑sector stakeholders to identify emerging research needs, trends, issues, and concerns.
• Conduct environmental scanning of transportation policy, practice, technology, and research developments.
• Synthesize stakeholder input and present insights to the Director, Deputy Director, and oversight committee to inform program direction and delivery.

Coordination with TRB Committees & NASEM Offices

• Serve as a primary liaison with relevant TRB standing committees, task forces, and panels to inform research needs identification and promote alignment.
• Coordinate with other National Academies divisions and offices, as appropriate, to leverage institutional expertise and avoid duplication.
• Maintain awareness of related work across CRPs and NASEM to support integrated program delivery.

Program & Portfolio Management

• Manage an assigned portfolio of complex research projects approved by the oversight committee.
• Manage selected complex or high‑profile research projects personally, including contractor oversight and delivery of final products.
• Oversee contractor performance, schedules, budgets, and deliverables with minimal supervision.
• Identify and resolve project‑level issues independently and elevate strategic, fiscal, or reputational risks as appropriate.

Governance, Quality & Compliance Alignment

• Ensure adherence to TRB and National Academies policies governing committee operations, peer review, ethics, and conflicts of interest.
• Work closely with centralized CRP quality, compliance, contracting, and training functions to ensure projects meet institutional standards.
• Support consensus‑driven committee processes with objectivity and professionalism.

Communication & Influence

• Prepare concise, decision‑focused written materials for senior volunteers, sponsors, and leadership.
• Communicate clearly and confidently with oversight committee members, stakeholders, contractors, and colleagues.
• Influence outcomes through expertise, analysis, and collaboration rather than formal authority.

Requirements

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of cooperative or committee‑driven research programs and familiarity with transportation research sponsors and policy environments.
• Understanding of the National Academies' mission, structure, and culture.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to manage complex portfolios and competing priorities.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to negotiate funding and manage high‑risk or complex research initiatives.
• Ability to train, develop, and support staff.
• Ability to operate with substantial independence, sound judgment, and discretion in a complex organizational environment.
• Ability to solve complex problems involving significant variety and to serve as a resource to others in resolving issues.
• Ability to work effectively in team‑based settings and build and sustain collaborative relationships across departments and stakeholder groups.
• Ability to perform effectively in complex, high‑impact environments with multiple priorities and demands.

Minimum Education/Training Requirements

Ph.D. in a discipline relevant to transportation, public policy, research management, or a closely related field; or a master's, or bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline with significant professional experience demonstrating advanced subject matter expertise, leadership in complex projects or programs, and independent research, analysis, or policy development responsibilities.

Minimum Experience

• Ten years of related professional experience. Demonstrated impact on the advancement of science or policy through the successful completion of National Academies' activities or equivalent outside activities and through effective dissemination of these activities.
• Significant experience managing applied research projects or programs.
• Demonstrated experience supervising and developing professional staff in a complex organization.

Required Licenses, Certification or Registration: None

Any qualification to be considered equivalent, in lieu of stated minimum, requires the prior approval of the Office of Human Resources.

Preferred Qualifications

• Possession of an Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.), Certified Manager (C.M.), or International Airport Professional (IAP) designation.

Other Details

Supervisory Responsibilities/Controls: Reports to the Division Director. Independently establishes goals and objectives. May supervise staff.

Mental and Physical Capabilities: Ability to be visible on camera for meetings when remote; ability to use a computer and applicable hardware/software to perform responsibilities; ability to use multiple technology collaboration platforms, including Microsoft Teams, Asana; ability to focus, concentrate on tasks and multi‑task when needed; ability to begin work at the required time, per approved schedule; ability to lift/carry laptop and other mobile devices between work and home; ability to commute to work; ability to travel between National Academies' facilities and offsite sponsor/partner locations; ability to work in different time zones when travel is outside of current location; ability to perform work responsibilities onsite, where required; ability to interact in-person with multiple people and large groups; ability to work in a fast‑paced environment and meet deadlines; ability to use a computer and applicable hardware/software to perform responsibilities.

Work Environment

Hybrid office/telecommute environment; expected onsite percentage 60%. Occasional travel between National Academies' facilities and to off‑site meeting/sponsor locations.

Compensation & Benefits

An estimated compensation range for this position is $126,880 - $198,250. Compensation offered to the selected candidate will be based on the candidate's relevant knowledge, skills, and work experience, commensurate with compensation of current employees in comparable positions with similar knowledge, skills, and work experience, and subject to budget parameters. This is a benefits‑eligible position. Our Benefits Plan offers competitive and comprehensive benefit options, including medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement and savings benefits, leave benefits such as paid holidays and paid personal leave, transportation subsidies, and education assistance. For more information, please click here.

Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of the National Academies to recruit, hire, transfer, compensate, and promote people in all job categories and to administer all other personnel actions, terms and conditions of employment in a manner that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. It is also the institution's policy to recruit, hire, promote, and provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and covered veterans who are otherwise qualified.

Disclaimer

The above information is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Some functions in this description may be specific to a particular unit of the National Academies and not applicable to other units.