Executive Director, Cyber AI & Applied Innovation

St. Cloud State University; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 210,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

Metro State Applied Innovation Institute (MSAII) seeks an Executive Director to lead strategic initiatives, manage operations, and grow revenue through training, contracts, and partnerships. The role partners with university leadership and external stakeholders to advance cybersecurity, AI, and applied innovation programs.

The Executive Director will oversee financial models, board reporting, and program delivery, while guiding growth in research and workforce development across Minnesota.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required.
• Four years of leadership in business development, sponsored projects, nonprofit, or research administration.
• Experience with budget development, revenue modeling, grants/contracts/fee-for-service programs.
• Experience with universities, government agencies, nonprofits, industry partners, and public-sector organizations.
• Demonstrated cross-institutional collaboration with external organizations.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership for the Institute and work with the Board to set strategic goals.
• Lead business, administrative, operational, and sustainability efforts for MSAII.
• Translate strategies into operating models, programs, and partnerships.
• Collaborate with university leaders, staff, and external stakeholders to build a hybrid innovation enterprise.
• Support contract research, sponsored projects, cyber training programs, and defense-adjacent initiatives.
• Ensure a sustainable financial model and properly documented workflows.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Grants/Contracts

Stakeholder engagement

Sponsored research

Education

Master’s degree

Doctoral degree

Job description

Metro State Applied Innovation Institute (MSAII) seeks an Executive Director to lead strategic initiatives, manage operations, and grow revenue through training, contracts, and partnerships. The role partners with university leadership and external stakeholders to advance cybersecurity, AI, and applied innovation programs.

The Executive Director will oversee financial models, board reporting, and program delivery, while guiding growth in research and workforce development across Minnesota.