Executive Director, Innovation and Opportunity

UIS Observer; Springfield (IL); On-site; USD 108,000 - 132,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Illinois Springfield seeks an Executive Director of Innovation and Opportunity to lead Innovate Springfield’s strategy and regional economic development efforts. The role will coordinate with UIS leaders, CAPE, and the Illinois Innovation Network to advance entrepreneurial programming and social impact in the Springfield region.

The Executive Director will guide five pillars—incubation, modernization, education, talent pipeline, and AI adoption—while ensuring financial

Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution (in some cases extensive work experience could replace the requirement)
• Strong track record of leading innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems and programs
• Experience in business commercialization, economic development, and social innovation
• Knowledge of business startup processes including planning, operations and financing
• Supervisory experience
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to translate regional technology trends into applied programming

Responsibilities

• Lead Innovate Springfield strategies aligned with UIS priorities and ensure successful execution
• Develop and manage Innovate Springfield's budget and financial sustainability
• Oversee five pillars: incubation, modernization, CAPE education, student pipeline, and AI awareness
• Engage industry, government, education and community partners to advance regional innovation
• Supervise staff and partners, provide leadership and performance feedback
• Report progress and impact to UIS leadership and advisory boards
• Advise the Chancellor on economic development and technology issues

Education

Master’s degree (or equivalent) in innovation, entrepreneurship, or related field

Job description

Executive Director, Innovation and Opportunity

Executive Director, Innovation and Opportunity

Posting Category:E

About UIS: Located in the state capital, the University of Illinois Springfield is one of three members of the University of Illinois system. The University serves more than 4,000 students in 44 graduate and 56 undergraduate programs. You are encouraged to visit the university web page at http://www.uis.edu .

Proposed Annual Salary: $120,000

Summary

The Executive Director of Innovation and Opportunity (ED) at the University of Illinois Springfield will lead innovation and economic development efforts at UIS to benefit the regional economy in collaboration with local industry, government partners, Continuing and Professional Education (CAPE), and the Illinois Innovation Network (IIN). These efforts will be primarily conducted through the development and execution of related programming at Innovate Springfield, UIS' downtown Springfield innovation center and founding hub of the IIN. The Executive Director (ED) will lead Innovate Springfield's strategic framework across five interconnected pillars: business incubation and venture growth; business modernization and applied innovation; CAPE-delivered professional education and workforce development; student talent pipeline and engagement; and emerging technology awareness. Working closely with UIS leaders, faculty, staff, students, and community partners, the ED will develop and implement entrepreneurial and applied innovation initiatives that advance these strategic priorities. These activities will accelerate regional technology adoption, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, strengthen educational opportunities, inform public policy, and promote social innovation throughout the region.

Duties & Responsibilities

Innovate Springfield Strategy and Governance. Work with internal and external partners to resource, develop, direct and implement all Innovate Springfield strategies aligned with UIS’ strategic priorities and the Innovate Springfield strategic framework, and ensure the successful execution of Innovate Springfield operations and UIS innovation and economic development activities in collaboration with other program leads. Staff and lead advisory boards and related committees, ensuring regional input is translated into UIS programs, partnerships and measurable outcomes. Lead all aspects of programming across Innovate Springfield’s five pillars — business incubation and acceleration, business modernization and applied innovation, professional education and workforce development, student talent pipeline, and emerging-technology awareness.

Financial Sustainability. Develop, lead and ensure financial support and viability of Innovate Springfield’s operations, as well as the business incubation and acceleration programs and Innovate Springfields’s partnership model with Continuing and Professional Education (CAPE) for scalable, credential-generating programming. Develop, implement, and manage Innovate Springfield's operations and budget to ensure efficient service delivery and long‑term financial sustainability. Collaborate with UIS Advancement and program leaders to secure financial support for Innovate Springfield's operations and programs. Establish and monitor meaningful performance measures, including a quarterly outcomes dashboard, to evaluate progress and organizational success.

Programming Effectiveness. Ensure effectiveness across all Innovate Springfield programs — including business modernization and applied innovation (such as a recurring AI‑adoption demonstration series and the region’s AI community of practice), CAPE‑delivered professional education and stackable credentials, and emerging‑technology awareness — by working with other UIS leaders responsible for programing in such areas as technology and research commercialization, social innovation, public policy, and experiential and workforce education, as well as other program areas determined by the UIS Chancellor.

Regional Partnerships. Develop and coordinate all UIS’ initiatives with other UIS leaders responsible for programing to bring innovation to bear on the broad range of community and regional needs and problems. Actively engage current and potential partners in business, finance, government, healthcare, insurance, manufacturing, philanthropy, and scientific communities, as well as academic partners across the IIN, to invest in and advance an entrepreneurial and technology‑adoption culture within and beyond UIS to strengthen economic development and innovation in the Springfield region.

Academic and Student Engagement. Work with academic units — including the College of Business and Management, the College of Health, Science and Technology, and CAPE — to develop high‑impact, applied learning opportunities for students related to innovation, entrepreneurship, and business modernization, and to connect youth and workforce programming to UIS degree and certificate pathways, with relevance to local economic and community development. Serve as UIS representative on IIN Council and various UI System committees.

Staff Supervision. Supervise and oversee Innovate Springfield staff, as well as participating business incubation and CAPE program partners, for Innovate Springfield programing and operational success. Provide effective leadership, direction and support for staff to be successful at their assigned duties. Give staff frequent performance feedback and support their professional development.

Visibility and Reporting. Develop and implement strategies, including regular dashboard reporting to the Advisory Board and UIS leadership, to highlight the value and successes of UIS’ innovative and economic development activities in order to enhance Innovate Springfield visibility and reputation with internal and external stakeholders, including UIS leaders, faculty, students, business leaders, public officials and IIN partners.

Advisory Role. Advise the Chancellor on economic development, innovation, and emerging‑technology issues, and participate in committees, working groups, etc., as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution (in some cases, extensive work experience in innovation, incubation and/or economic development fields could replace a master’s degree requirement; in such cases, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is required)
• A strong track record of leading innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems and programs, including experience at innovation centers and/or business incubators
• Strong background in business commercialization, community and regional economic development, and social innovation
• Experience and deep knowledge of the requisites of the business startup process, including business planning, operations, financing and insight into local economic and social conditions
• Supervisory experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree from an accredited institution
• Experience working with faculty, staff and senior academic leadership at a higher education institution
• Investment and commercialization expertise; ability to identify, evaluate and effectuate investments
• Technical skill in projecting the economic and social impact of new and developing businesses and initiatives
• Experience with business incubation and acceleration
• Experience with business modernization, applied AI, or data‑driven technology‑adoption programming
• Experience partnering with professional/continuing education units to convert applied programming into scalable credentials and workforce training
• Familiarity with emerging technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence, data analytics, cybersecurity) and their translation into accessible public programming

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated passion for innovation in general and for bringing ideas to market
• Demonstrated success establishing and maintaining relationships across a variety of networks, such as in higher education, business sectors, venture investing, nonprofits, and or community organizations
• Success leading large teams, administrating committees and supervising employees
• High level of integrity and exceptional interpersonal and team‑building skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Cultural competency to work with diverse groups and build an inclusive work environment
• Willingness to accommodate meetings/activities outside normal business hours
• Passion for advancing communities through innovation, business development and building capacity for social impact endeavors
• Ability to translate regional technology trends and employer needs into applied programming, professional education, and academic partnerships
• Knowledge of applied AI, data analytics, and emerging-technology trends relevant to business, government, and healthcare sectors

Employment Policies and other information

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer dedicated to building a community of excellence, equity, and diversity. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment and we welcome applications from qualified individuals of all backgrounds and identities. The University of Illinois System does not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on their real or perceived race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, genetic information, marital status, disability, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran and will comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders and regulations. Visit University of Illinois Non‑Discrimination Statement

The University of Illinois System conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment. Convictions are not a bar to employment. Background checks will be performed in compliance with state and federal law.

The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment .

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

UIS employment in this role is not covered by Social Security, and instead, is covered by the State University Retirement System.

• You will not pay Social Security taxes and your earning will not be on your Social Security Record. (Your record will, however, show your Medicare wages.
• Your pension from the State Universities Retirement System may affect the amount of your:

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted by contacting UIS HR at [e-mail] or call 217-206-6652.

University of Illinois at Springfield Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

The University of Illinois Springfield Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available. This report includes statistics from the previous three years concerning reported crime that occurred on campus, in certain off‑campus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University of Illinois Springfield campus and statistics for fires in on‑campus student housing. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security and other safety information along with fire safety policies and procedures. To access the report online:http://www.uis.edu/about/overview/safety/

To obtain a hard copy: University Police Department, University of Illinois Springfield, One University Plaza, MS PDB1, Springfield, IL 62703-5407

University of Illinois at Springfield . One University Plaza . MS HRB30 . Springfield, Illinois 62703 . 217-206-6652. www.uis.edu/humanresources