Director of Cybersecurity Programs

Western Washington University • Bellingham, WA

76d • $100,000 - $115,000

About The Position

Applications are invited for a Director of Cybersecurity Programs. The position has flexibility for a non-tenure track or tenure-track faculty appointment at the Assistant or Associate Professor level, dependent on qualifications. Faculty hired as Associate Professor can have an expedited pathway to application for tenure. As a member of the Department of Computer Science, the position will have responsibility to oversee academic programs and activities in cybersecurity throughout the university, including on the Bellingham campus, as well as our Poulsbo and Kirkland satellite locations. The Director maintains WWU's nationally recognized cybersecurity programs, including the department's membership in the Department of Defense Cyber Service Academy, and encourages the incorporation of cybersecurity topics and concepts into curriculum and activities across the university. The Director maintains ties with academic, government, and private sector partners to ensure the delivery of quality cybersecurity curriculum. The WWU Cybersecurity BS is the foundation for the WWU's NSA recognized Center of Academic Excellence, including a demanding technical cybersecurity program. WWU also provides a Cybersecurity Minor, and a Cybersecurity Certificate. The job duties broadly are in support of the cybersecurity program, Center of Excellence, and teaching. This position is designated as a tenure-track Academic Program Director at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor, or as a non-tenure track (NTT) faculty also with Academic Program Director duties, with responsibilities as described below. In addition to the standard nine-month appointment and salary, the Directorship will include an additional month of compensation in order to complete the work responsibilities of the position. The initial period of appointment to the role of Director will be four years, with opportunity for reappointment. The position has an anticipated start date between January and September 2026.

Requirements

• For tenure-track appointment, an earned Ph.D. (by time of application) in Cybersecurity or related field is required.
• For non-tenure track appointment, an earned MS, PhD, or ABD (by time of application in Cybersecurity or a related field, is required.
• Experience, knowledge and research in Cybersecurity.
• Experience in teaching at the University Level.
• Experience or interest in outreach and professional speaking.
• Experience or interest in writing and managing grants.
• Experience or interest in developing a vision for the evolution of cybersecurity curriculum in response to changes in the discipline.
• For appointment at the Associate Professor level (tenure-track), a research record and demonstrated evidence of successful teaching commensurate with standards for promotion to those ranks in the department.

Nice To Haves

• Experiences with developing and maintaining an NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD).
• Experience in managing and maintaining an ABET accredited degree.
• National or International reputation in cybersecurity education with participation in academic service at a national level.
• Industry Experience in Cybersecurity.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the execution of existing curriculum in Cybersecurity, and take a leadership role in the evaluation and modification of curriculum, as well as the design of new programs as needed.
• Ensure curriculum is mapped and aligned with requirements from the CAE program, NICE, ABET, and ACM.
• Manage and monitor the assessment program for cybersecurity in support of CAE, ABET, and university accreditation needs.
• Identify and coordinate the scheduling and staffing of courses for cybersecurity in Poulsbo and Kirkland in coordination with CS department leadership.
• Review and approve degree and certificate applications.
• Review and approve exceptions, modifications, and substitutions for students in the programs.
• Meet with and advise students.
• Support active and engaged cybersecurity clubs and competition teams.
• Identify and promote internship and other student opportunities.
• Coordinate and maintain articulation agreements with partner colleges.
• Participate in recruitment efforts with partner colleges, high schools, and other opportunities with the goal of increasing enrollment at all locations.
• Prepare and submit proposals, and manage grants and other opportunities for scholarships, such as Scholarship for Service (NSF), Cyber Service Academy (Cyber Command), etc.
• Encourage and support the development and delivery of cybersecurity curriculum efforts in programs throughout the university.
• Coordinate, convene, and meet with an external advisory board for Cybersecurity on a semi-annual basis. Maintain relationships with members of the board between meetings.
• Coordinate with external employers and partners to create and manage year-long senior projects.
• Participate in community outreach activities, to include opportunities for K-12, the general public, and employers.
• Create and lead events and resources for WWU and surrounding community to promote and inform about cybersecurity.
• Maintain relationships, directly and through the Foundation, with key government and private sector partners including the NSA, DHS, Cyber Command, Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Naval Base Kitsap, Cloud Security Alliance, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, etc.
• Supervise the CAE/CISS websites and other communication platforms.
• Identify, prepare, submit, and manage grants for research and capacity building with various government and industry sources.
• Develop and coordinate research consortiums with other Universities and Colleges both inside and external to the CAE program.
• Teaching three courses per academic year, with primary teaching responsibilities onsite at the Bellingham campus.
• Advise senior projects.
• Develop a research program that involves undergraduate and/or graduate M.S. students.
• Advise and supervise undergraduate and graduate students on research projects culminating in peer-reviewed publications.

Benefits

• Salary range for the 9-month assistant professor appointment, tenure-track is generally between $100,000-$110,000.
• Salary range for the 9-month associate professor appointment, tenure-track is generally between $105,000-$115,000.
• 10% salary increase accompanying tenure.
• Relocation assistance may be available per University guidelines.
• In addition to the standard academic year 9-month salary, one month of summer salary is provided to support the responsibilities associated with the Directorship.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree