Executive Director of the Institute for Cyber Security

Marshall University

Executive Director of the Institutefor Cyber Security

Marshall University seeks an outstanding and experienced leader to serve as the inaugural Executive Director of the Institutefor Cyber Security.  The Executive Director will provide leadership for the Institute and will report directly to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Institute for Cyber Security (ICS) is a university-level research, education, and workforce development center established in 2021.

Marshall University, an R2 public university located in Huntington West Virginia, is poised to become a national leader in Cyber Security and cyber forensics. Strategic partnerships with federal agencies have led to Marshall’s selection as a National Center of Excellence for Cybersecurity of Critical Infrastructure by the U.S. Cyber Command and as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency.

The ICS will have a presence in the arenas of cyber education, research, and outreach.  Current educational programs at Marshall University include BS and MS degrees in Cyber Security. Current research efforts include funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Department of Education, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Defense. The Institute has a $45 million funding commitment from the State of West Virginia and expects an additional $30M to $35M in funding over the next three years.

In an unprecedented move that will bolster national cybersecurity capabilities in protecting the nation’s critical infrastructure, Marshall will build a new state-of-the-art facility, the Marshall Cyber Security Center.  The new facility will comprise 78,000 square feet with laboratories for academic work and space for external Cyber Security firms to co-locate within the building. The building will house state-of-the-art Cyber Security and forensics technology and training programs and become the cyber locus to serve industry from throughout Appalachia and the country. 

The Executive Director will supervise the design and construction of the new ICS facility, manage personnel and budgets, recruit industry partners, create a research vision for Cyber Security, manage fundraising, participate in grant writing, collaborate with faculty researchers, engage government agencies and officials, supervise industry-specific training, work with the academic units offering Cyber Security degree programs, and perform other duties to advance Marshall’s role as a national leader in the Cyber Security of critical infrastructure.

The position will be a full-time, twelve-month administrative (non-faculty) appointment with a salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. The successful candidate for the position will have the following attributes and experiences: a master’s degree or higher in a field relevant to the Cyber Security or cyber forensics disciplines; at least 10 years of relevant experience supporting the national security, and Cyber Security/forensics industry; experience with external funding in a governmental, business, or academic setting; an understanding of the higher education environment and the ability to lead effectively in an academic setting; a background in any discipline with relevance to Cyber Security and cyber forensics; citizenship of the United States; and a previous possession, current possession, or capability of securing a Top Security/Special Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance.  Continued employment will be contingent on the successful attainment of the required security clearance.

A full profile describing additional information about the position and preferred attributes of applicants can be viewed at https://www.agbsearch.com/searches/marshall-university-executive-director-of-the-institute-for-cyber-security.

Nominations and Applications:  AGB Search is pleased to assist Marshall University with this leadership search. To ensure full consideration, applications should be received by February 16, 2024, and must include:

• a letter of interest addressing the qualifications and attributes identified in the profile.
• a curriculum vitae or resume. 
• and five professional references with email addresses and telephone numbers, including their relationship to the candidate. No reference will be contacted without the formal permission of the candidate.

Application materials should be submitted through the AGB Search portal system here:

 ED, Institute for Cyber Security, Marshall University

Please direct questions regarding the application process to MarshallEDCyber@agbsearch.com. 

To learn more about Marshall University and the Institute for Cyber Security, prospective candidates and nominators are encouraged to visit the university’s website at www.marshall.edu and the Institute’s webpage at www.marshall.edu/cyber/.

Nominations and expressions of interest in the Executive Director position are encouraged.  Please direct them to MarshallEDCyber@agbsearch.com or the AGB Search team listed below.

Richard A. Wueste, JD, Senior Executive Search Consultant

richard.wueste@agbsearch.com  540.431.5131

Jerome A. “Jerry” Gilbert, PhD, Executive Search Consultant

jerry.gilbert@agbsearch.com  662.769.1021

Kimberly S. Templeton, JD, Principal

kimberly.templeton@agbsearch.com  540.761.9494

Jennifer Ferrera, Research Associate

jennifer.ferrera@agbsearch.com  202.640.6726

Marshall University is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

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