Executive Director – NCTI
Wucf Tv
Stand out for this role — generate a tailored resume and cover letter in about a minute.
Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
The National Commercialization and Translation Institute (NCTI) at the University of Central Florida seeks an accomplished executive leader to serve as the founding Executive Director. This highly visible role will build and lead a national institute dedicated to helping technology firms transform breakthrough ideas into market success.
Reporting to the Principal Investigator and funded through an NSF initiative, the Executive Director will establish infrastructure, recruit high-performing
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with 8+ years of relevant experience.
- MBA or related doctorate in business, engineering, science or public administration.
- Proven ability to stand up new programs, centers, or organizations quickly.
- Experience with milestone- or tranche-based funding governance.
- Direct accountability to external boards and a federal sponsor for delivery.
- Leadership of funded ventures or acceleration programs.
- Experience with federal awards administration and reporting.
- Familiarity with SBIR/STTR and deep-technology commercialization.
- Ability to engage across universities, industry, and national labs.
Responsibilities
- Lead day-to-day operations of the institute across all five objectives and stand up the facility.
- Supervise professional staff and ensure coordinated delivery across program areas.
- Chair the commercialization-support review committee and verify milestones.
- Support institute governance with quarterly board meetings and engagement.
- Coordinate NSF relations and ensure compliance with award terms.
- Oversee the operating budget and subaward administration.
- Represent the institute to partners, investors, labs, and the innovation network.
- Lead risk management and drive continuous improvement and action.
Skills
Education
Job description
The National Commercialization and Translation Institute (NCTI) is a nationally significant initiative dedicated to helping innovative technology companies transform breakthrough ideas into commercial success. Supported through a National Science Foundation (NSF) initiative and led by the University of Central Florida, NCTI serves as a national hub connecting entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders, government partners, and commercialization experts to accelerate innovation, business growth, and economic impact. NCTI is designed to help promising deep‑technology companies navigate the journey from scientific discovery and technological advancement to sustainable market success. As a new institute, NCTI offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of technology commercialization on a national scale. Through strategic partnerships, individualized commercialization support, and a collaborative innovation ecosystem, the institute is advancing solutions that help high‑potential companies overcome commercialization barriers and bring transformative technologies to market. NCTI combines the agility and entrepreneurial spirit of a startup with the resources and credibility of a leading research university, creating an environment where innovation, partnership, and impact drive meaningful results.
The University of Central Florida seeks an accomplished executive leader to serve as the founding Executive Director of the National Commercialization and Translation Institute (NCTI). This highly visible leadership opportunity offers the chance to build and lead a new national institute dedicated to helping innovative technology companies transform breakthrough ideas into commercial success. Supported through a National Science Foundation initiative, NCTI will bring together entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders, government partners, and commercialization experts to accelerate innovation and economic impact. Reporting to the Principal Investigator, the Executive Director will serve as the chief operational leader of the institute, responsible for establishing the organization’s infrastructure, building high‑performing teams, cultivating strategic partnerships, and driving execution of a nationally significant mission. The ideal candidate combines executive business leadership, commercialization experience, and an entrepreneurial mindset, with a demonstrated ability to build organizations, influence stakeholders, and deliver results in complex, highly collaborative environments. This individual thrives in environments where vision, adaptability, and action are required, and is energized by the opportunity to build a nationally recognized organization that will help shape the future of technology commercialization and innovation.
This is a Contracts & Grants (C&G) funded position. Employment is subject to availability of funding and may cease at the time funding for this employment is depleted.
Lead day‑to‑day operations of the institute across all five objectives (M1): stand up the institute at award, including facilities in the UCF SPARK building, staff recruitment and onboarding, operating policies and procedures, and the monthly operations‑group cadence with the PI/PD, Co‑PIs, and program directors; ensure Year1 deliverables (national solicitation, cohort selection, triage, and Individualized Commercialization Plans) and Year2 deliverables (checkpoints, showcase, final evaluation support) are executed on schedule.
Supervise the institute’s professional staff — Commercialization Director, Education Director, Partnerships Director, and Project Manager — and clerical support: hiring, work assignment, performance management, and professional development; ensure coordinated delivery across SUPPORT, EDUCATE, ORIENT, CONNECT, and NETWORK activities.
Chair the commercialization‑support review committee (with the Commercialization Director, a Strategic Board designee, and an RTI observer): convene the committee at each milestone checkpoint; verify company milestones and continued active research participation; approve, modify, or decline release of Participant Commercialization Support tranches independently of delivery staff; oversee structured re‑engagement reviews for stalled companies; and document each decision as study data.
Support institute governance: coordinate quarterly Strategic Board meetings, convening of the independent Selection Board during the national competition, and Partner Council engagement; maintain nondisclosure and conflict‑of‑interest protocols for board members.
Support the PI/PD in NSF relations: annual and ad hoc programmatic reporting, NSF learning sessions and program meetings, and responses to NSF requests; ensure institute operations comply with NSF award terms, including participant support cost requirements and prior‑approval rules.
Oversee the institute’s operating budget (approximately $4M in operations, research, and evaluation funds) in coordination with Office of Research administration; monitor expenditures, subaward (RTI International) administration, consultant engagements, and procurement of program platforms and services.
Represent the institute externally with partners, investors, national laboratories, and the national innovation network; lead planning and execution of the annual investor showcase, the in‑person midpoint convening, and cohort convenings in coordination with the Partnerships and Commercialization Directors.
Lead risk management and continuous improvement: act on formative findings from the external evaluator, oversee corrective actions (e.g., partner under‑performance, thin applicant pool contingencies), and maintain the documented, transferable operating model NSF requires of the pilot and all other duties as assigned.
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree and 8+ years of relevant experience, including 3+ years of leadership experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6).
- Master’s degree (MBA or related) or doctorate in business, engineering, science, public administration, or a related field.
- Demonstrated success standing up a new program, center, or organization — facilities, staffing, governance, and operating systems — on an accelerated timeline.
- Experience administering milestone‑based or tranche‑based funding governance with documented, auditable decision processes.
- Experience being directly accountable to external boards and a federal sponsor for program delivery, compliance, and reporting.
- Senior leadership experience operating a funded venture‑support, accelerator, proof‑of‑concept, or commercialization program, ideally with milestone‑or tranche‑based funding governance.
- Direct experience with federal awards administration (NSF strongly preferred), including participant support costs, subawards, and federal reporting.
- Familiarity with the SBIR/STTR program and deep‑technology commercialization (readiness frameworks such as TRL/MRL/CRL/IRL).
- Demonstrated ability to convene and manage boards, investors, industry partners, and national‑laboratory relationships.
- Experience working within a research university and with faculty principal investigators.
- Experience standing up a new program, center, or organization — facilities, staffing, governance, and operating systems — on an accelerated timeline.
- Experience administering milestone‑based or tranche‑based funding governance with documented, auditable decision processes.
- Experience being directly accountable to external boards and a federal sponsor for program delivery, compliance, and reporting.
- Senior leadership experience operating a funded venture‑support, accelerator, proof‑of‑concept, or commercialization program, ideally with milestone‑or tranche‑based funding governance.
- Direct experience with federal awards administration (NSF strongly preferred), including participant support costs, subawards, and federal reporting.
- Familiarity with the SBIR/STTR program and deep‑technology commercialization (readiness frameworks such as TRL/MRL/CRL/IRL).
- Demonstrated ability to convene and manage boards, investors, industry partners, and national‑laboratory relationships.
- Experience working within a research university and with faculty principal investigators.
The anticipated starting salary for this position is $150,000 annually. The final salary will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and internal equity considerations. The selected candidate must comply with NCTI conflict‑of‑interest and nondisclosure protocols, including disclosure of any financial interest in applicant or cohort companies, given the position’s role in approving participant funding. Occasional domestic travel is required (NSF program meetings, board convenings, cohort site visits, annual showcase). All applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position, and the university cannot accommodate H‑1B transfers or employment‑based visa processing for individuals currently sponsored by another employer.
Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential? As a next‑generation public research university and Forbes‑ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 12 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills, and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Life Insurance
- Flexible Spending
- Employee Assistance Program
- Paid time off, including annual and sick time off and paid holidays
- Retirement savings options
- Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions
- Education assistance
For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide.
Additional information: Work Schedule Monday‑Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Type of Appointment Regular. Expected Salary $122,980.00 to Negotiable. Job Posting End Date 09‑24‑2026‑12‑00‑AM. The university is an equal‑opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The university maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. As a Florida public university, the university makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request. UCF is proud to be a smoke‑free campus and an E‑Verify employer. For general application or posting questions, please email talent@ucf.edu. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please email onac@ucf.edu.
Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research‑related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela. The additional screening requirements only apply to research‑related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, postdoctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.
Department: College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) – Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems (IEMS). Work location: UCF SPARK building, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL.
A Foundation for Success Founded in 1963 to provide talent for Central Florida and the growing U.S. space program, UCF has been making an impact on the state, the nation — and outer space — ever since. With 12 colleges and more than 230 degree programs, follow your passion at one of our campus locations designed to help you succeed. From the main campus in east Orlando to UCF Downtown and Rosen College of Hospitality Management to the Academic Health Sciences Campus, you’ll have the opportunity to learn in the heart of your industry. UCF also has multiple regional locations and fully online programs — including online bachelor’s degrees, online graduate degrees, online certificates and more — to ensure that you can achieve your dreams whenever and wherever you want.
'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M101.744%2012.4726L102.894%2016.1947L99.0021%2013.2201L101.744%2012.4726ZM105.3%208.40937H100.488L99.0026%203.59473L97.5116%208.41047L92.7%208.40385L96.5965%2011.3834L95.1055%2016.1942L99.0021%2013.2196L101.408%2011.3834L105.3%208.40992V8.40937Z'%20fill='white'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='paint0_linear_5593_1381'%20x1='90'%20y1='9.44471'%20x2='99'%20y2='9.44471'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%2300AD70'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.998594'%20stop-color='%2300B67A'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='1'%20stop-color='%23DCDCE6'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
