Assistant Vice Chancellor for Technology and Industry Engagement

University of California - Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara (CA); Hybrid; USD 240,000 - 275,000; Full time

Job summary

UC Santa Barbara seeks an Assistant Vice Chancellor for Industry Engagement to lead the campus's industry-facing partnerships and coordinate its distributed engagement ecosystem within the Office of Research.

The AVC will oversee industry contracting, engagement, business development and marketing, working with the Associate Vice Chancellor of Research and other leaders to accelerate sponsored programs, licensing opportunities and strategic collaborations across sectors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years progressively responsible experience in university-industry relations or technology transfer.
• 7-9 years proven track record building industry relationships resulting in contracts or sponsored research.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive-level leadership for industry contracting, engagement and business development.
• Oversee marketing and outreach to sustain and grow university-industry partnerships.
• Coordinate with senior leadership and researchers to align opportunities with UCSB goals.

Skills

Industry relations

Technology transfer

Business development

Contract negotiation

Education

Bachelor's Degree in related area

Job description

Position Details

Job ID: 89789

Position Number: 41277868

Payroll Title: INDUSTRY ALLNS MGR 3 (005710)

Job Code: 005710

Job Open Date: 11/2/26

Application Review Begins: 11/16/26

Department Code (Name): RESD (VICE CHANCELLOR OF RESEARCH)

Percentage of Time: 100

Union Code (Name): 99 - Non-Represented (PPSM)

Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff: Career

FLSA Status: Exempt

Classified Indicator Description (Personnel Program): MSP

Salary Grade: Grade 29

Pay Rate/Range: The expected salary range for this position is $240,000 to $275,000/year. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience; the budget for the position; and the application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the University. The full salary range for this position is $173,900 to $351,500/year.

Work Location: Cheadle Hall, 3227

Working Days and Hours: M-F, 8 am - 5 pm

Benefits Eligibility: Full Benefits

Type of Remote or Hybrid Work Arrangement, if applicable: Hybrid (Both UC & Non-UC locations)

Department Marketing Statement

The Office of Research is comprised of dedicated professionals who are passionate about supporting UCSB's research mission, and ensuring the effective, efficient and compliant administration of the campus extramural funding portfolio.

Benefits of Belonging

Working at UC means being part of this vibrant institution that shines a light on what is possible. People make UC great, and UC recognizes your contributions by making this a great place to work. Excellent retirement and health are just one of the rewards.

Brief Summary of Job Duties

Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Research, this newly created position will serve as the University's primary representative for industry engagement and establish the operational hub for coordinating UCSB's distributed industry engagement ecosystem. The Assistant Vice Chancellor (AVC) provides day-to-day leadership for all industry-facing activities within the Office of Research including industry contracting, industry engagement, business development and marketing. The AVC works in close partnership with the Associate Vice Chancellor of Research, Innovation & Entrepreneurship.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
• 10+ years Progressively responsible experience in university-industry relations, technology transfer, business development, or a closely related field within a research university environment.
• 7-9 years Proven track record of building and sustaining industry relationships that generate research contracts, sponsored research agreements, or comparable outcomes

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree/Advanced degree in related area
• 1-3 years Network of relationships in relevant industry sectors (semiconductor, biotech, materials, computing, environmental technology)
• 1-3 years Background that spans both the philanthropic/development side and the research contracts side of university-industry relations
• Expert at managing complex, multi-dimensional partnerships between research institutions and private sector organizations
• Strong leadership and team management skills; experience supervising professional staff
• Expert navigation of the research university environment, including: academic entrepreneurism models, University research initiatives and market demands, understanding of faculty culture, shared governance, and the sponsored research process.
• Adept at managing complex, multi-dimensional partnerships between research institutions and private sector organizations
• Expert skills to build relationships and act persuasively in sensitive situations; skills in conflict management techniques. Negotiation skills and strategic thinking requisite for sustained, high-level interactions with government agencies, industry and other private sector sponsors.
• Ability to apply concepts of out-licensing, business development, corporate partnering, new venture formation to achieve University research goals.
• Strong working knowledge of intellectual property protection methods, licensing practices, contract law, as well as government laws relating to technology transfer within industry and academia. Ability to apply expertise in commercialization, licensing and current industry research to develop strategic innovative, research initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain an extensive network of professional contacts. Proven strong political acumen skills and ability to influence and navigate relations in a diverse, complex organization.

Special Conditions of Employment

• Satisfactory criminal history background check
• UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Job Functions and Percentages of Time

50% General Management

• Provides executive-level advisory services, risk analysis, and creative leadership and guidance to staff, including those who report elsewhere in the organization.
• Provides direct supervision and strategic direction to offices that manage industry contracting, marketing, business development and industry engagement.
• Responsible for the oversight, productivity and work product of supervised