Senior Advisor - Life Sciences

Senior Advisor - Life Sciences

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Please see Special Instructions for more details.

This position is open until filled with resume reviews beginning 11/7/2025.

This is a full-time restricted classified position with state benefits. Continued annual employment based on funding availability through 1/15/2028.

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth's Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly called a Certificate of Disability) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans may also apply via the AHP if they also provide an AHP Letter. To request an AHP Letter, use this link: https://www.dars.virginia.gov/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155

Posting Details

 Posting Summary 

Working Title  | Senior Advisor - Life Sciences
Role Title  | Prog Admin Specialist I
Role Code  | 19211-SW
FLSA  | Exempt
Pay Band  | 04
Position Number  | 283R0357
Agency  | J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Division  | J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College (Div)
Work Location  | Henrico - 087
Hiring Range  | Salary commensurate with the experience of the applicant; Salary range $73,000 to $85,000.
Emergency/Essential Personnel  | No
EEO Category  | B-Professional
Full Time or Part Time  | Full Time
Does this position have telework options? -Telework options are subject to change based on business needs-  |
Does this position have a bilingual or multilingual skill requirement or preference?  |
Work Schedule  | As assigned by supervisor
Sensitive Position  | No

Job Description 
Reynolds is one of the largest community colleges in Virginia and serves Virginia’s capital city and five nearby counties. Annually, our four campus sites serve approximately 13,000 credit students and provide training for 7,400 students through the Community College Workforce Alliance. Reynolds is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse, culturally competent staff at all levels of the organization who reflect the demographics of our students. We also believe in providing an ongoing investment in our faculty and staff to deepen their skills and competencies to serve the full range of our student population.

The Senior Advisor – Life Sciences will serve as Reynolds Community College’s primary liaison to the region’s life sciences and biotechnology industry. This position will focus on developing, strengthening, and sustaining partnerships with employers, industry associations, and community stakeholders to ensure Reynolds’ biotechnology and chemical technician programs remain industry-driven and responsive to current and emerging workforce needs.

Purpose of Position:
Employer Engagement and Partnership Development Build and maintain a robust network of life sciences and biotechnology employers across the Richmond region. Serve as the college’s primary employer-facing representative for the Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing (APM) and Biotechnology Intermediary. Lead employer engagement efforts as part of the APM–Biotech Workforce Sectoral Partnership, a collaborative ecosystem of industry, education, and workforce partners advancing the region’s pharmaceutical manufacturing and biotechnology cluster. Cultivate long-term partnerships with employers to align training, curriculum, and work-based learning opportunities (e.g., internships, apprenticeships, clinical placements) with real-world skill demands. Work collaboratively with academic departments to ensure employer partnerships translate into applied learning opportunities.
Industry and Workforce AlignmentGather continuous feedback from employers to ensure Reynolds’ biotechnology and chemical technician programs align with evolving industry standards and workforce trends. Translate employer needs into actionable insights for academic leadership, informing curriculum design, credential development, and program planning. Identify emerging technologies, occupational roles, and competency requirements in the life sciences sector to help Reynolds remain a responsive, leading workforce partner. Contribute to program review, advisory board discussions, and assessment processes by providing industry input on curriculum relevance and student learning outcomes.
Strategic Collaboration and LeadershipRepresent Reynolds Community College on the Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing–Biotechnology Workforce Sectoral Partnership, serving as spokesperson for both credit and workforce programs in biotechnology and chemical technician. Collaborate closely with college administrators, faculty, and workforce development staff to integrate employer feedback into a continuous improvement process. Work as part of a five-member regional team leading the Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing-Biotechnology Intermediary, advancing the shared goal of building a sustainable, inclusive life sciences workforce ecosystem across the Greater Richmond region. Partner with the Dean and department chair to align partnership outcomes with academic program goals assessment cycles. Support the development of grant proposals, articulation agreements, and new credential pathways that strengthen the connection between industry and academic programming.

Special Assignments  | May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.
KSA's/Required Qualifications  | We are seeking an experienced professional with at least 3-5 years of biotechnology/life science workforce experience to drive this effort. The right candidate will have the following skills:

Strategic Thinking. Ability to synthesize diverse perspectives, analyze data, and make decisions with both detail and big-picture context. Project Management. Proven experience coordinating complex initiatives across multiple systems and stakeholders. Communication. Excellent written and oral communication skills; able to clearly convey sensitive and complex topics to diverse stakeholders. Cross-functional Coordination. Skilled at working across departments and organizations, influencing colleagues with varying perspectives. Leadership Experience. Guiding cross-functional teams and representing organizations to external partners. Adaptivity and Creativity. Comfortable adjusting strategies in changing circumstances and finding creative solutions. Workforce Landscape Awareness. Familiarity with workforce initiatives in Virginia and knowledge of key players in talent development. Academic Collaboration. Demonstrated ability to engage faculty and academic leaders in program development and curriculum enhancement.
Education and Experience
Graduation from an accredited college or university with course work in Business Administration, Biotechnology or other science or related field.

Masters’ degree preferred. Minimum 3 years’ relevant work experience in workforce and talent development with a focus on program planning, business operations, and project management. Human Resources experience is preferred. Prior success leading a cross-functional team. Strong analytical and project management skills Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to manage multiple projects and collaborate with team members. Prior effective results managing complex projects involving cross-sector stakeholders. Strong interest in discourse around workforce development strategies and career and technical education. Proven record of success in program development and stakeholder management. Experience collaborating with academic units or faculty-led initiatives is highly desirable.
Additional Considerations  |
Operation of a State Vehicle  | No
Supervises Employees  | No
Required Travel  | Travel as needed between campuses and periodically within the region.

 Posting Detail Information 

Posting Number  | CLS_4123P
Recruitment Type  | General Public - G
Number of Vacancies  | 1
Position End Date (if temporary)  | 01/15/2028
Job Open Date  | 10/31/2025
Job Close Date  | 11/10/2025
Open Until Filled  | Yes
Agency Website  | www.reynolds.edu
Contact Name  | Reynolds HR
Email  | hr@reynolds.edu
Phone Number  | (804) 523-5249
Special Instructions to Applicants  | This position is open until filled with resume reviews beginning 11/7/2025.

This is a full-time restricted classified position with state benefits. Continued annual employment based on funding availability through 1/15/2028.

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth’s Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly called a Certificate of Disability) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans may also apply via the AHP if they also provide an AHP Letter. To request an AHP Letter, use this link: https://www.dars.virginia.gov/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155
Additional Information  | Reynolds provides a well-rounded benefits package designed to promote your health, flexibility, professional growth, and long-term success:

Health Benefits: Competitive state health coverage options, including dental, vision, hearing, and premium rewards Retirement: Membership in the Virginia Retirement System (VRS), plus voluntary supplemental retirement options with employer contributions Paid Leave: Generous paid time off, including sick leave, personal leave, vacation, holidays, and paid parental leave Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs): Options for medical and dependent care with pre-tax dollars Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support including legal, financial counseling, and up to four no-cost therapy visits per incident Professional Development: Tuition assistance, internal leadership programs, and advancement opportunities
Background Check Statement Disclaimer  | The selected candidate’s offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background investigation, which may include: fingerprint checks, local agency checks, employment verification, verification of education, credit checks (relevant to employment). Additionally, selected candidates may be required to complete the Commonwealth’s Statement of Economic Interest. For more information, please follow this link:  http://ethics.dls.virginia.gov/
EEO Statement  | The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, political affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or other non-merit factors.
ADA Statement  | The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA and ADAAA), to provide, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of access to the application, interviewing, and selection processes when requested.
E-Verify Statement  | VCCS uses E-Verify to check employee eligibility to work in the United States. You will be required to complete an I-9 form and provide documentation of your identity for employment purposes.
Quicklink for Posting  | https://jobs.vccs.edu/postings/89886

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