Associate Vice Chancellor, Research Commercialization

NC State University; Raleigh, Northern (NC, KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Value Proposition

Childcare benefits

Wellness & Recreation Membership

Wellness Programs

Job summary

NC State University in Raleigh, NC invites applications for Associate Vice Chancellor, Research Administration to provide executive leadership for the Office of Research Commercialization. The AVC-RA guides IP management, licensing, startup formation, venture development, and investment programs while aligning commercialization strategy with university goals.

You will lead a multidisciplinary team, build partnerships with industry and investors, and advance NC State’s innovation ecosystem,

Qualifications

• Extensive leadership experience in sponsorship, research administration, or related function within a large institution.
• Proven ability to lead enterprise-wide research administration operations, including strategy development and organizational change.
• Experience negotiating complex research agreements and managing institutional risk while ensuring compliance with regulations.
• Demonstrated success in leading and developing senior leaders within a large, decentralized organization.

Responsibilities

• Establishes and advances NC State’s research commercialization strategy, aligning priorities with institutional goals.
• Sets enterprise-level priorities, performance measures, and service standards for commercialization outcomes.
• Provides executive oversight for intellectual property strategy and commercialization of university innovations.
• Leads NC State’s venture development ecosystem and oversees WIN and NSF I-Corps activities.
• Cultivates relationships with investors, entrepreneurs, accelerators, and industry partners.

Skills

Leadership experience

Strategic thinking

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Education

Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree

Relevant undergraduate degree

Job description

Associate Vice Chancellor, Research Administration

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Posting Information

Posting Number

Posting Number PG194800EP

Internal Recruitment

Internal Recruitment No

Working Title

Working Title Associate Vice Chancellor, Research Administration

Anticipated Hiring Range

Anticipated Hiring Range Commensurate with education and experience

Work Schedule

Work Schedule Monday - Friday, 8am - 5 pm, additional hours as needed to meet established deadlines

Job Location

Department

Department Office of Research Commercialization - Technology Licensing Office

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.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership , and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.
Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

The Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Administration (AVC‑RA) 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 -RA, 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.
  
• 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.
  
• 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. If you are ready to lead with vision and purpose, we invite you to apply.

Other Responsibilities

In addition to the core responsibilities of this role, there will be occasional opportunities to take on additional duties. This offers an opportunity to build on your skills, explore new areas, and gain a deeper understanding of the department’s operations.

Qualifications

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.

Required License(s) or Certification(s)

N/A

Valid NC Driver\'s License required

Valid NC Driver\'s License required No

Commercial Driver's License required

Commercial Driver's License required No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date

Job Open Date 08/10/2026

Anticipated Close Date

Anticipated Close Date 10/1/2026; if posting active we are still accepting and reviewing applications

Special Instructions to Applicants

Position Number

Position Number 00108757

Position Type

Position Type EPS/SAAO

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week) 1.00

Appointment

Appointment 12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events Non Mandatory - Emergency Event

Department ID

EEO

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail] .

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you learn of this opportunity?
  • NCSU Website
  • Job Alert (automated email from our system)
  • NCSU Executive Search Services
  • Monster.com
  • CareerBuilder.com
  • InsideHigherEd.com
  • HigherEdJobs.com
  • Other Online Job Board
  • Carolina Job Finder / Employment Guide
  • Job / Career Fair
  • The Chronicle of Higher Education
  • Professional Journal
  • Print Advertisement (Newspaper / Periodical)
  • Radio / Television Advertisement
  • Professional Organization
  • Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC)
  • Direct Contact from NCSU HR Representative / Recruiter
  • NCSU Employee Referral
  • Social Media (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Other)
  • Other
• If you learned about this vacancy from "other source" or "other website", please provide the source.

  (Open Ended Question)

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Contact Information for References
Optional Documents

NC STATE UNIVERSITY
RALEIGH, NC 27695
PHONE: [phone]