Director

Wexford Science & Technology

San Jose (CA)

On-site

USD 130,000 - 144,000

Full time

4 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k) matching

Job summary

Wexford Science & Technology, through Connect Labs San Jose, seeks a Director to lead daily operations, tenant management and the local ecosystem for innovative life science startups. You will mentor a diverse site staff across labs, offices and programs, manage budgets, drive business development and partner engagement, and ensure excellence in client service.

You will cultivate relationships with industry and academic partners, oversee sponsorships, and implement strategies that amplify

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or demonstrated experience in incubator management, economic development, or related field.
Strong leadership and team management skills.
Experience budgeting, forecasting and managing financial targets.
Proven ability in business development, marketing and client relations.
Ability to build partnerships with industry and academia.
Excellent communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

Develop and manage site budgets, set revenue targets and control costs.
Lead Connect Labs staff and ensure a positive work environment.
Foster partnerships with industry, academia and ecosystem leaders.
Drive leasing, tenant management and new member recruitment.
Oversee sponsor relations and fulfillment of benefits.
Monitor site KPIs and overall performance.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Budgeting

Financial forecasting

Business development

Partner relationships

Client relations

Negotiation

Operational management

Strategic thinking

Life sciences knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree or demonstrated experience in a relevant field

Job description

As the Director, Connect Labs San Jose, you will play a crucial role as the face of our center, orchestrating the daily operations and leading a dynamic team. This role involves managing site operations, fostering a collaborative ecosystem of innovators, capital partners, and industry stakeholders, and driving life-science entrepreneurs towards successful commercialization. As the general manager, you will oversee the member experience, team management, partner relations, sponsor engagements, issue resolution, risk management, and operational excellence of facilities, all while upholding the culture and brand of Connect Labs and Wexford. You will also be tasked with selecting, mentoring, and developing a diverse and high-performing site staff across various domains, including laboratory, office, facilities, and programming, with a focus on operational and client service excellence. Finally, you will work to actively identify and implement creative strategies to enhance and amplify the existing work within the local ecosystem through Connect Labs and Wexford. This involves recruiting additional innovation-supporting entities such as workforce programs, accelerators, shared facilities, and venture funds to the space, fostering collaboration and goodwill throughout the ecosystem. The position will report to the SVP & Chief Community Officer / General Manager of Connect Labs.

Responsibilities

Leasing & Tenant Management

Cultivate a pipeline of resident companies, actively recruiting new members.
Engage in business development, marketing, and client experience to generate new leads and expand the site’s network.
Handle leasing and sales activities.
Collaborate with the partners to enhance tenant growth opportunities.

Community Relations & Engagement

Establish and strengthen partnerships with industry, academic institutions and ecosystem leaders.
Build a network of top-tier academics, industry experts, and entrepreneurs to advise resident entrepreneurs.
Maintain excellent relations with landlord and work together on site-specific initiatives.
Manage sponsor relationships and ensure fulfillment of sponsorship benefits at the site level.
Foster the local entrepreneurial ecosystem by building relationships with local entrepreneurs and community leaders. This involves partnering with key allies, networking, participating in speaking engagements, and serving on committees and boards.

Leadership & Operations

Develop and manage budgets, set revenue targets, control costs, and report financial progress.
Monitor and report on site KPIs and overall performance.
Lead the Connect Labs team effectively, promoting professional growth and a positive work environment.
Foster a culture of inclusivity, equity, and shared belonging.
Report on client satisfaction and business performance metrics.

Preferred Skills and Abilities:

Bachelor’s degree or demonstrated experience in a relevant field (e.g., incubator management, economic development, university administration, accelerator programming, venture development)
Strong leadership and team management skills.
Experience in budgeting, financial forecasting, and managing financial targets.
Proven track record in business development, marketing, and client relationship management.
Ability to build and maintain strong partnerships with industry and academic institutions.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
Experience in operational management and process optimization.
Ability to foster an inclusive, equitable, and motivating work environment.
Strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities.
Knowledge of the life sciences industry and commercialization processes.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Experience in leasing and real estate a plus

Company Background

Connect Labs by Wexford is a flexible, scale-in-place lab and innovation infrastructurelocatedwithin Wexford’s portfolio of Knowledge Communities. Specifically created for emerging and growth companies in the life sciences, computational, engineering, and energy industries, Connect Labs offers pre-built and furnished lab, support, and office space with a purposefully curated set of amenities, services, and shared equipment that provides companies the space to grow and attract talent; specialized equipment to leverage and conserve capital; intentional proximity to peers, experts and potential strategic partners; and opportunities to conduct research to improve the human condition and drive economic impact. Connect Labs is currently in Phoenix,Arizona; Baltimore, Maryland; Sacramento, California; and Charlotte, North Carolina.Connect Labs San Jose is set to launch by Q4 2026. To learn more, please visitwexfordconnectlabs.com.

Wexford Science & Technology is a real estate company that partners with leading universities, healthcare systems, research institutions, and innovative companies to develop environments that catalyze innovation, attract talent, and drive economic growth. With more than 10 million square feet delivered nationwide in partnership with over 30 institutional partners, Wexford develops everything from single buildings to fully integrated mixed‑use Knowledge Communities that combine research, clinical, corporate, and innovation space with housing, hospitality, retail, programming, and placemaking. As a long‑term partner, Wexford offers a full range of services, from strategy, capital, and expertise to development, asset management, and programming to enable knowledge-centric institutions and companies to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. For more information about Wexford, visitwww.wexfordscitech.com.