Provost Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Provost positions at U.S. universities regularly sponsor H-1B visa, O-1 visa, and EB-1 visas for qualified international candidates. As senior academic leadership roles requiring advanced degrees and extensive higher education experience, provost positions typically meet specialty occupation requirements and demonstrate the extraordinary ability needed for premium visa categories. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Position Overview
The Vice Provost for Research Development (VPRD) reports to the Senior Vice Provost for Research (SVPR) and holds a strategic leadership role within the university research enterprise. The VPRD will partner with the SVPR and the university research community to advance two strategic imperatives: leaping ahead in global reputation and impact as a global research university system and achieving $350 million in annual research funding by the end of fiscal year 2027, and $500 million by the end of fiscal year 2030.
The VPRD will work with the SVPR and other senior administrators to ensure that staffing, systems, and programs for research development meet the current and future needs of Northeastern as an RI research institution. The VPRD will be the primary driver for identifying and disseminating opportunities aligned with the university’s strategic research priorities and supporting individual faculty and teams to advance competitive submissions. This leader will optimize and manage a research development enterprise that meets or exceeds the standards and performance of a top-tier research university and facilitates enhanced levels and quality of funding submissions to diversified sources.
The VPRD will represent the SVPR and/or the University at meetings, functions, and events as requested.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership and Research Growth
- Develop and execute a comprehensive research development strategy aligned with Northeastern’s $500M funding goal and global research reputation objectives.
- Build and sustain networks across the university—including the Colleges, Institutes, and the University Network—to increase the quality, efficiency, and scale of the research enterprise.
- Coalesce faculty across disciplines around large-scale center grants and multi-investigator proposals, identifying strategic opportunities for coordinated pursuit of major funding vehicles (e.g., NSF centers, NIH P-series, DOE and DOD large programs).
- Monitor national funding trends and agency priorities, translating that intelligence into actionable opportunities for faculty and research teams.
- Leverage Northeastern's presence in London and Dublin to pursue Horizon Europe and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding opportunities, coordinating with campus leadership on eligible partnerships and lead institution arrangements.
- Diversify and strengthen the resilience of Northeastern's funding portfolio by promoting industry partnerships and supporting faculty-led consortia spanning university, industry, government, and foundation sectors.
- Partner with Government Relations to coordinate federal appropriation requests and programmatic funding increases, ensuring alignment between congressional engagement strategies and the university's research development priorities.
Staff Management and Organizational Performance
- Lead, develop, and manage the research development team, establishing clear workload expectations, role definitions, and professional development pathways.
- Design and implement a performance management framework with defined KPIs and metrics for research development staff, including proposal submission rates, win rates, award volumes, and faculty engagement.
- Conduct regular performance reviews, provide ongoing coaching, and hold staff accountable to productivity and quality standards.
- Assess staffing capacity against institutional goals and make recommendations for team structure and resource allocation.
Faculty Engagement and Proposal Development
- Cultivate strong relationships with faculty across colleges and research institutes, serving as a trusted partner in identifying and pursuing major funding opportunities.
- Lead or support the development of large, complex proposals, including coordinating across multiple investigators, institutions, and disciplines.
- Facilitate faculty coalitions around strategic research themes, center grant opportunities, and signature research initiatives with the potential for transformative institutional impact.
- Coordinate Northeastern's institutional responses to federal Requests for Information (RFIs), positioning the university strategically in advance of major funding announcements and program launches.
- Advise faculty on sponsor priorities, proposal strategy, and competitive positioning.
- Interact with and help coordinate activities of the Research Council advisory group.
Systems, Infrastructure, and Reporting
- Evaluate and strengthen systems, tools, and processes that support proposal development, pipeline tracking, and post-award transitions.
- Develop and maintain a research development dashboard with metrics that track progress toward institutional funding goals and inform resource decisions.
- Report regularly to the SVPR on pipeline activity, team performance, and strategic opportunities.
- Ensure research development operations are aligned with compliance requirements and institutional policies.
- Oversee the university's limited submission program, establishing clear and equitable competition processes, coordinating faculty review and merit-based selection, and issuing institutional nominations that reflect both scientific excellence and strategic fit with Northeastern's research priorities.
- Coordinate internal seed funding programs and manage institutional cost-share requests, establishing systematic processes and clear communication protocols across colleges, institutes, and the Office of the Provost.
Qualifications
Required
- Ph.D. or terminal degree in a relevant field; in exceptional cases, a graduate degree combined with a substantial record of success in a comparable senior role will be considered.
- Demonstrated experience in research development at a research university, with a track record of success in large, competitive grant programs.
- Five to seven years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a university research environment.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the federal and private funding landscape, including major sponsor priorities and funding mechanisms relevant to a comprehensive research university.
- Proven ability to build faculty coalitions and lead multi-investigator proposal efforts, including center grants and large programmatic awards.
- Strong management skills, including experience setting staff workloads, establishing performance metrics, and holding teams accountable to goals.
- Excellent communication, relationship-building, and networking skills across a complex institutional environment.
- Ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
- Willingness and ability to travel as needed.
Preferred
- Experience serving in a research development leadership role at an R1 institution.
- Experience working across interdisciplinary research themes and complex institutional partnerships.
Position Type
Leadership
Additional Information
Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.
Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Compensation Grade/Pay Type:
116S
Expected Hiring Range:
$192,710.00 - $286,655.00
With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.
About the Opportunity
Position Overview
The Vice Provost for Research Development (VPRD) reports to the Senior Vice Provost for Research (SVPR) and holds a strategic leadership role within the university research enterprise. The VPRD will partner with the SVPR and the university research community to advance two strategic imperatives: leaping ahead in global reputation and impact as a global research university system and achieving $350 million in annual research funding by the end of fiscal year 2027, and $500 million by the end of fiscal year 2030.
The VPRD will work with the SVPR and other senior administrators to ensure that staffing, systems, and programs for research development meet the current and future needs of Northeastern as an RI research institution. The VPRD will be the primary driver for identifying and disseminating opportunities aligned with the university’s strategic research priorities and supporting individual faculty and teams to advance competitive submissions. This leader will optimize and manage a research development enterprise that meets or exceeds the standards and performance of a top-tier research university and facilitates enhanced levels and quality of funding submissions to diversified sources.
The VPRD will represent the SVPR and/or the University at meetings, functions, and events as requested.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership and Research Growth
- Develop and execute a comprehensive research development strategy aligned with Northeastern’s $500M funding goal and global research reputation objectives.
- Build and sustain networks across the university—including the Colleges, Institutes, and the University Network—to increase the quality, efficiency, and scale of the research enterprise.
- Coalesce faculty across disciplines around large-scale center grants and multi-investigator proposals, identifying strategic opportunities for coordinated pursuit of major funding vehicles (e.g., NSF centers, NIH P-series, DOE and DOD large programs).
- Monitor national funding trends and agency priorities, translating that intelligence into actionable opportunities for faculty and research teams.
- Leverage Northeastern's presence in London and Dublin to pursue Horizon Europe and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding opportunities, coordinating with campus leadership on eligible partnerships and lead institution arrangements.
- Diversify and strengthen the resilience of Northeastern's funding portfolio by promoting industry partnerships and supporting faculty-led consortia spanning university, industry, government, and foundation sectors.
- Partner with Government Relations to coordinate federal appropriation requests and programmatic funding increases, ensuring alignment between congressional engagement strategies and the university's research development priorities.
Staff Management and Organizational Performance
- Lead, develop, and manage the research development team, establishing clear workload expectations, role definitions, and professional development pathways.
- Design and implement a performance management framework with defined KPIs and metrics for research development staff, including proposal submission rates, win rates, award volumes, and faculty engagement.
- Conduct regular performance reviews, provide ongoing coaching, and hold staff accountable to productivity and quality standards.
- Assess staffing capacity against institutional goals and make recommendations for team structure and resource allocation.
Faculty Engagement and Proposal Development
- Cultivate strong relationships with faculty across colleges and research institutes, serving as a trusted partner in identifying and pursuing major funding opportunities.
- Lead or support the development of large, complex proposals, including coordinating across multiple investigators, institutions, and disciplines.
- Facilitate faculty coalitions around strategic research themes, center grant opportunities, and signature research initiatives with the potential for transformative institutional impact.
- Coordinate Northeastern's institutional responses to federal Requests for Information (RFIs), positioning the university strategically in advance of major funding announcements and program launches.
- Advise faculty on sponsor priorities, proposal strategy, and competitive positioning.
- Interact with and help coordinate activities of the Research Council advisory group.
Systems, Infrastructure, and Reporting
- Evaluate and strengthen systems, tools, and processes that support proposal development, pipeline tracking, and post-award transitions.
- Develop and maintain a research development dashboard with metrics that track progress toward institutional funding goals and inform resource decisions.
- Report regularly to the SVPR on pipeline activity, team performance, and strategic opportunities.
- Ensure research development operations are aligned with compliance requirements and institutional policies.
- Oversee the university's limited submission program, establishing clear and equitable competition processes, coordinating faculty review and merit-based selection, and issuing institutional nominations that reflect both scientific excellence and strategic fit with Northeastern's research priorities.
- Coordinate internal seed funding programs and manage institutional cost-share requests, establishing systematic processes and clear communication protocols across colleges, institutes, and the Office of the Provost.
Qualifications
Required
- Ph.D. or terminal degree in a relevant field; in exceptional cases, a graduate degree combined with a substantial record of success in a comparable senior role will be considered.
- Demonstrated experience in research development at a research university, with a track record of success in large, competitive grant programs.
- Five to seven years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a university research environment.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the federal and private funding landscape, including major sponsor priorities and funding mechanisms relevant to a comprehensive research university.
- Proven ability to build faculty coalitions and lead multi-investigator proposal efforts, including center grants and large programmatic awards.
- Strong management skills, including experience setting staff workloads, establishing performance metrics, and holding teams accountable to goals.
- Excellent communication, relationship-building, and networking skills across a complex institutional environment.
- Ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
- Willingness and ability to travel as needed.
Preferred
- Experience serving in a research development leadership role at an R1 institution.
- Experience working across interdisciplinary research themes and complex institutional partnerships.
Position Type
Leadership
Additional Information
Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.
Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Compensation Grade/Pay Type:
116S
Expected Hiring Range:
$192,710.00 - $286,655.00
With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.
See all 1,089+ Provost Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Provost Jobs
Target R1 research universities and large state systems
Major research institutions and state university systems have established international hiring processes and dedicated visa support teams for senior administrative positions like provost.
Emphasize your doctoral degree and academic leadership record
Provost roles require terminal degrees and extensive higher education administration experience, making visa approval more straightforward for qualified international candidates.
Document your scholarly achievements and citations
For O-1 or EB-1 applications, compile evidence of research impact, publications, grants, and recognition that demonstrates extraordinary ability in academia.
Highlight experience with accreditation and strategic planning
Universities value provosts who understand accreditation processes, budget management, and institutional strategic planning, specialized knowledge that supports specialty occupation arguments.
Consider interim provost positions as entry points
Interim roles can provide faster hiring timelines and demonstrate your capabilities, potentially leading to permanent appointments with stronger visa sponsorship support.
Network through academic conferences and professional associations
Organizations like AAU, APLU, and disciplinary associations offer networking opportunities where provost searches are discussed and relationships are built.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do provost positions qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship?
Yes, provost positions typically qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as they require advanced degrees and specialized knowledge in higher education administration. The role's requirement for doctoral education and specific expertise in academic leadership makes it a clear specialty occupation under USCIS guidelines.
Can international candidates get O-1 visas for provost roles?
Qualified candidates can obtain O-1 visas for provost positions by demonstrating extraordinary ability through scholarly achievements, publications, citations, awards, and recognition in higher education. The key is documenting sustained acclaim and influence in your academic field or educational leadership.
What degree requirements do universities have for international provosts?
Universities typically require doctoral degrees for provost positions, with strong preference for terminal degrees in relevant academic disciplines. Some institutions may accept equivalent international credentials or exceptional combinations of master's degrees with extensive senior administrative experience in higher education.
Are there specific visa advantages for academic administrative roles?
Academic administrative roles like provost often have smoother visa processes due to universities' familiarity with international hiring and established legal support. Additionally, the clear specialty occupation nature and potential for EB-1 extraordinary ability applications can provide multiple pathway options.
How do tenure track faculty credentials translate to provost visa applications?
Previous tenure track experience strengthens provost visa applications by demonstrating sustained academic achievement and institutional knowledge. Your research record, teaching excellence, and prior faculty leadership roles provide compelling evidence for both H-1B specialty occupation and potential O-1 extraordinary ability claims.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Provost jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
How to find Provost jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Provost positions with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international academics with sponsored opportunities. Focus your search on universities, research institutions, and higher education organizations that commonly sponsor H-1B, O-1, or EB-1 visas for senior academic leadership roles. Filter specifically for Provost, Vice Provost, and Associate Provost positions at institutions with established international hiring programs.