Associate Vice Chancellor, Research Commercialization

AgUpdate; Raleigh, Northern (NC, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

NC State University seeks an Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Commercialization (AVC‑RC) to lead the university’s commercialization enterprise. This executive role spans IP management, licensing, startup formation, venture development, and investment programs, setting strategy and ensuring compliance.

You will expand NC State’s innovation ecosystem by connecting researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry partners to accelerate impact.

Qualifications

• Requires extensive leadership experience in sponsored programs or research administration.
• Experience negotiating complex research agreements and managing institutional risk.
• Proven ability to lead organizational transformation and strategic change.

Responsibilities

• Set enterprise-level commercialization strategy and performance measures.
• Provide executive oversight for IP strategy, licensing, and governance.
• Lead venture development, WIN, and NSF I-Corps initiatives.
• Build and lead a multidisciplinary commercialization team and external partnerships.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Executive communication

Relationship management

Policy guidance

Education

Post‑Baccalaureate degree

Undergraduate degree with substantial experience

Terminal degree (PhD/JD) preferred

Job description

Associate Vice Chancellor, Research Commercialization

About the Department: The Office of Research Commercialization (ORC) accelerates the translation of NC State research discoveries into products, services, startups, and investment opportunities. ORC supports faculty, students, and industry partners through programs that evaluate, protect, market, license, and commercialize university-developed technologies. ORC also leads the university's startup and investment ecosystem, including the Wolfpack Investor Network (WIN), commercialization funding programs, and NSF I-Corps activities.

Essential Job Duties

The Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Commercialization (AVC‑RC) provides executive leadership for NC State's commercialization enterprise, spanning intellectual property management, licensing, startup formation, venture development, and investment programs. The AVC sets university-wide commercialization strategy, ensures compliance with federal and institutional requirements, and leads programs that accelerate the translation of research into societal and economic impact. As the AVC‑RC, you will have the opportunity to expand NC State's innovation ecosystem by connecting researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry partners to accelerate the journey from discovery to impact. You will lead initiatives such as the Wolfpack Investor Network (WIN), commercialization funding programs, and the NSF I-Corps Mid-Atlantic Hub, while representing NC State within regional and national innovation communities. Through your vision, partnership-building, and strategic leadership, you will help position NC State's research enterprise for greater economic and societal impact while advancing a culture of innovation across the university.

Key Responsibilities fall within the following functional areas.

Strategic Leadership for Research Commercialization

Establishes and advances NC State's research commercialization strategy, aligning innovation priorities with institutional research goals, economic development initiatives, and national R1 expectations. Sets enterprise-level priorities, performance measures, and service standards that strengthen commercialization outcomes across the university. Advises the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation on commercialization policy, innovation strategy, and external engagement.

Intellectual Property, Licensing & Commercialization Governance

Provides executive oversight for intellectual property strategy, ensuring effective management, protection, and commercialization of university-developed innovations. Establishes policies, frameworks, and practices that support licensing, agreements, compliance, and responsible stewardship of intellectual assets. Provides university-wide leadership and guidance on intellectual property and commercialization matters.

Venture Development & Innovation Funding

Leads NC State's venture development ecosystem, expanding pathways for research discoveries to advance through startup formation, market validation, and investment opportunities. Provides strategic oversight for the Wolfpack Investor Network (WIN), commercialization funding programs, and NSF I-Corps Mid-Atlantic Hub activities. Cultivates relationships with investors, entrepreneurs, accelerators, and industry partners to strengthen commercialization opportunities.

Innovation Ecosystem & Executive Leadership

Builds strategic partnerships with industry, investors, and innovation organizations to expand research impact and strengthen NC State's role within regional and national innovation ecosystems. Provides leadership for a multidisciplinary commercialization team, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Ensures effective governance, operational excellence, and high-quality services that advance the university's commercialization mission.

This is an opportunity for an accomplished commercialization leader to shape strategy, influence innovation at scale, and build connections that move groundbreaking research from discovery to impact.

Minimum Education and Experience

Requires a relevant post‑Baccalaureate degree with a minimum of three (3) years or greater of related professional experience, or a relevant undergraduate degree and a minimum of five (5) years or greater of relevant experience may be substituted for the advanced degree.

Other Required Qualifications

Extensive progressively responsible leadership experience in sponsored programs, research administration, or a closely related function within a large, complex research institution. Demonstrated success leading enterprise-wide research administration operations, including developing strategy, guiding organizational change, and advancing operational excellence. Experience negotiating complex research agreements and managing institutional risk while ensuring compliance with federal regulations, sponsor requirements, and university policies. Proven ability to lead organizational transformation through process improvement, technology modernization, or implementation of enterprise research administration systems. Demonstrated success building collaborative partnerships, influencing executive and academic leaders, and leading high-performing teams within a decentralized organization. Exceptional communication, strategic decision‑making, and relationship management skills with the ability to represent the institution in complex, high-impact matters.

Preferred Qualifications

Terminal degree (e.g., PhD, JD, or equivalent) in a relevant discipline. Executive leadership experience within an R1 university or similarly complex research-intensive organization. Experience leading enterprise-wide research administration technology, data governance, or institutional modernization initiatives. Demonstrated success leading and developing senior leaders within a large, decentralized organizational environment.

Posting Number: PG194800EP

Position Number: 00108757

Anticipated Hiring Range: Commensurate with education and experience