Director, Airport Research Programs & Portfolio Strategy

Job Description Summary

NOTE A COVER LETTER IS REQUIRED FOR CONSIDERATION

Provides leadership, implementation, ongoing management, and evaluation for assigned program area(s), delivering a complex and diverse portfolio of transportation research projects. The role combines portfolio-level accountability with management of high-visibility research initiatives. Responsible for developing the overall budget, including staffing requirements, and ensures the successful delivery of the full portfolio of projects in alignment with division priorities and organizational standards. Maintains internal and external relations.

Serves as a key member of the Cooperative Research Programs (CRP) leadership team, contributing to CRP-wide leadership, decision-making, and strategic direction.

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) are applied research programs—including the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP), Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP), Behavioral Traffic Safety (BTSCRP), and others—that develop practical, implementable solutions to current and emerging transportation issues through stakeholder-driven research and collaboration.

Exercises substantial independent judgment in overseeing project portfolios, resolving complex issues, and engaging with volunteers and sponsors. Incumbent deals with important or controversial issues where effective persuasion, negotiation, and compromise are critical.

Responsibilities

Research Portfolio Leadership & Accountability

• In consultation with the CRP Director and Deputy Director, maintains a balanced, high-quality portfolio of projects/programs for assigned program area. Establishes a vision and working strategy for activities conducted within the program area.
• Provides leadership and full accountability for the delivery of a diverse portfolio of applied transportation research projects spanning assigned program area.
• Ensures projects are consistently delivered on time, within scope, and in alignment with TRB and National Academies standards for rigor, relevance, objectivity, and usefulness.
• Monitors overall portfolio performance, proactively identifying risks, dependencies, and resource constraints; implements corrective actions to ensure successful outcomes.
• In addition to overall management responsibility, leads selected complex or high-profile research projects, including contractor oversight and delivery of final products.
• Collaborates with Chair, panel members, and volunteers to convene groups, develop materials to support their work, plan and facilitate meetings and discussions, and resolve conflicts and encourage productive interactions. Provides guidance in the conduct of their work.
• Advises the Deputy Director and Director and contributes to leadership discussions on portfolio performance, emerging issues, and resource needs.

Performance Management & Staff Development

• Responsible for the overall performance, engagement, and development of staff, including senior-level project managers.
• Establishes clear, measurable performance goals aligned with program area priorities and holds staff accountable for results.
• Actively manages individual and team performance through regular feedback, coaching, and formal performance evaluations.
• Coaches, mentors, and develops staff to build technical expertise, leadership capability, and succession readiness.
• Provides leadership and mentors employees. Trains and develops employees to successfully perform current responsibilities and encourages development of staff for future roles. Forms effective teams and cultivates a work environment that fosters teamwork. Interprets and ensures consistent application of organizational policies. Initiates personnel actions, including performance and compensation reviews and if needed, disciplinary actions.
• Assigns work, sets priorities, and balances workloads to ensure effective execution of the full portfolio.

Program Execution & Strategic Alignment

• Translates division and program priorities into integrated work plans and measurable outcomes.
• Contributes as a member of the CRP leadership team to program planning, policy development, and operational decision-making.
• Plans, conducts, and directs work. Oversees the management of projects, assembles or oversees the assembling of committees, and provides oversight and guidance to the conduct of their work.
• Oversees quality assurance efforts. Participates in business planning, conducts status meetings, coordinates logistical issues, and implements planning, scheduling, and procedural changes.
• Exercises independent judgment in resolving operational, project, and personnel issues, escalating only strategic, fiscal, or reputational risks as appropriate.
• Identifies opportunities to improve program delivery, efficiency, and impact across the portfolio.
• Ensures effective oversight of project tracking, reporting, and documentation across program area portfolio.
• Monitors team workflows and resource allocation to ensure efficient and effective operations.
• Promotes consistent use of project management systems and tools.
• Identifies and implements improvements to workflows, project management practices, and team processes.
• In partnership with financial staff, oversees financial management of program area. Participates in business planning, conducts status meetings, coordinates logistical issues, and implements planning, scheduling, and procedural changes.

Committee & Volunteer Leadership

• Provides support and guidance to volunteer committees and research panels, including facilitating discussions, resolving complex issues, and addressing sponsor priorities.
• Navigates consensus-driven environments involving diverse technical, institutional, and stakeholder perspectives.
• Ensures compliance with TRB and National Academies governance, ethics, and conflict-of-interest requirements.

Sponsor & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serves as a primary point of contact for sponsors and stakeholders across the program area’s portfolio.
• Leads project- and portfolio-level briefings, reviews, and strategic discussions.
• Addresses sponsor concerns and contractor issues independently within delegated authority.
• Coordinates with the CRP Director and Deputy Director and TRB senior leadership on sensitive or high-impact matters.
• Maintains communication and productive working relationships with program volunteers. Sets agenda and oversees meeting arrangements. Oversees outreach efforts, including dissemination. Conducts speaking engagements, participates in outside committees, and represents program/committee at internal and external meetings.

Communication & Collaboration

• Maintains communication and productive working relationships with program volunteers.
• Prepares executive-level written materials, including project summaries, briefing notes, and decision memoranda.
• Communicates clearly and effectively with staff, volunteers, contractors, sponsors, and leadership.
• Collaborates across CRP teams and TRB units to support integrated program outcomes and shared priorities.

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

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 collaboration tools. Examples: Microsoft Teams, Asana.
Ability to Focus/concentrate on tasks and multi-task, when needed
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, e.g., when traveling internationally.
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. Note it is not typical for a candidate to be hired at the higher end of the range. 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.

Job Family

PROG

Employee Type

Employee

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

City/State

Washington, District of Columbia