Associate Vice President for Economic Development

University of Vermont

Burlington (VT)

On-site

USD 190,000 - 225,000

Full time

6 hours ago

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Job summary

The University of Vermont seeks an Associate Vice President for Economic Development to provide strategic leadership for statewide economic development, industry engagement, and entrepreneurship. Reporting to the Vice President for Research and Economic Development, the AVP will connect university resources with external partners to advance measurable economic and community impact.

The role emphasizes building executive relationships, launching innovative partnerships, and guiding units like UVM

Qualifications

Master’s degree and significant leadership experience in economic development or related fields.
Track record of developing and executing complex initiatives from concept to launch.
Ability to influence senior leaders and partners across diverse sectors.

Responsibilities

Cultivate executive-level relationships with corporations, government agencies, entrepreneurs, and partners.
Lead discovery with prospective partners to identify needs and translate into initiatives.
Develop strategic partnerships including sponsored research, entrepreneurship, and tech transfer.
Coordinate with the UVM Foundation and other ecosystems to advance opportunities.
Represent UVM in regional economic development strategy discussions.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Education

Master’s degree

Job description

Position Details

Advertising/Posting Title Associate Vice President for Economic Development Posting Summary

We will begin reviewing applications as of 10/15/2026

Reporting to the Vice President for Research and Economic Development (VPR), the Associate Vice President (AVP) for Economic Development provides strategic leadership for statewide economic development, industry engagement, workforce solutions, innovation, partnerships, and entrepreneurship. The AVP also serves as a senior integrator and primary connector among university offices and resources and external partners, translating institutional strengths into mutually beneficial partnerships and new initiatives with measurable economic and public impact.

Strategic Innovation and Leadership

The AVP is responsible for identifying, developing, launching and evaluating strategic initiatives that advance the university’s economic and innovation priorities, in alignment with the strategic direction of the VPR and in coordination with relevant university units. The AVP will leverage institutional strengths and emerging opportunities to create partnerships and programs that generate measurable economic, research, community, workforce, and financial impact.

The AVP Will

Cultivate and sustain executive-level relationships with corporations, state and local government agencies, entrepreneurs, investors, business associations, chambers, economic development agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders.
In partnership with the Office of Engagement, lead discovery with prospective partners to understand their research, innovation, talent, workforce, commercialization, or community needs and connect them with the appropriate UVM expertise and resources and where appropriate, help develop opportunities into actionable initiatives by defining the value proposition, partners, resource requirements, and measures of success.
Develop and advance strategic and deep partnerships that may combine sponsored research, entrepreneurship support, workforce development, talent recruitment, internships, technology licensing, testing and validation, philanthropic engagement, and new venture creation.
Coordinate with the UVM Foundation Corporate Relations Office, Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies, and other relevant university and external partners to present a unified approach and clarify ownership and advance opportunities efficiently.
Represent UVM in regional and statewide economic development strategy discussions and help position the university as a trusted convener and implementation partner.

Managerial Role

The AVP Provides Strategic Leadership Of And Coordinates Economic Development Activities And Strategic Initiatives Under The Leadership Of The VPR. As a Portfolio Leader And Manager, The AVP Will

Provide direct leadership for five units within OVPR, including UVM Innovations, Office of Engagement, Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships, Biolabs Innovation Hub, and the Vermont Gallium Nitride Technology Hub.
In coordination with each unit’s leader, identify, prioritize, and advance new and/or stronger economic development activities, such as corporate partnerships, support for entrepreneurs, and revenue-generating activities like research partnerships, fee-for-service programs, and UVM-connected start-up businesses.
Coordinate economic development activities with the UVM Foundation Corporate Relations Office and the Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies, and other units within the University as needed.
Oversee and guide unit leaders to ensure their work aligns with organizational goals and missions and that units participate in strategic initiatives, establish shared priorities and performance measures, and nurture a team approach among these units in support of university-wide economic development goals.

Communications Role

With the VPR, the AVP communicates within the university about economic development initiatives, opportunities, and outcomes and works with communications teams to advance this priority. The AVP will:

Partner with university communications teams to develop compelling narratives, case studies, briefing materials, presentations, and reports that demonstrate the impact of UVM partnerships and innovation activity and support efforts to attract additional partners and investment.
Provide timely strategic advice, investment recommendations, and concise decision materials to the VPR and other UVM leaders.
Represent the VPR and the university on committees, councils, working groups, and external forums relevant to economic development, innovation, industry engagement, and entrepreneurship.

Minimum Qualifications (or equivalent combination of education and experience)

Master’s degree and significant progressively responsible leadership experience in economic development, innovation, industry engagement, entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, and/or corporate philanthropy, or a related field.
Demonstrated success developing and executing complex initiatives from concept through launch, including securing resources and coordinating multiple internal and external stakeholders and producing measurable outcomes.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with and influence senior leaders and partners across academic, corporate, government, nonprofit, and community settings, including in a decentralized organizational environment.

Desirable Qualifications

Experience in a research university, public research organization, economic development agency, innovation district, technology-based enterprise, or comparable innovation or partnership environment.
Experience designing and launching multi-partner economic development initiatives, structuring public-private partnerships, or advancing industry-institutional partnerships.
Experience developing performance indicators, using them to assess progress and inform decisions, and communicating economic, research, workforce, or community impact.
Knowledge of Vermont’s or a comparable state or regional innovation and economic development ecosystem.

Anticipated Pay Range $190,000 - $225,000 Other Information Special Conditions Non-standard work hours required, A probationary period may be required, Occasional evening and/or weekends required (if non-exempt position, may result in overtime), Travel to and from worksites required, Background Check required for this position FLSA Exempt Union Position No

Our Common Ground Statement

The University of Vermont is a welcoming, educationally purposeful community committed to creating an inclusive environment that embraces intellectual diversity and global perspectives. We seek to prepare students to be accountable leaders who will bring to their work a grasp of complexity, effective problem-solving and communication skills, and an enduring commitment to learning and ethical conduct. Members of the University of Vermont community embrace and advance the values of Our Common Ground: Respect, Integrity, Innovation, Openness, Justice, and Responsibility. Staff play a critical role in this effort and the successful candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to UVM’s mission and advancing Our Common Ground values through the execution of their job duties.

Position Information

Position Title Research Commercialztn MG5 X Posting Number S6308PO Department VP Research Admin Office/30600 Position Number 00028003 Percent of Full-Time 1.0 Standard Hours at 1.0 FTE 37.5 Term (months per year) 12

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