Hub Director - NC A&T

NCInnovation; Greensboro (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Office space provided by NC A&T

Comprehensive benefits package

401(k) plan

Job summary

NCInnovation seeks an experienced Regional Innovation Hub Director for the Piedmont region to lead engagement with NC A&T, WSSU, UNCG, and UNCSA, coordinating partnerships that accelerate university research commercialization.

Based in the Piedmont area with NC A&T-provided office space, you will build networks, refine strategic plans, and work with university leaders to advance regional innovation initiatives and initiatives across NC.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of seven years of experience in the North Carolina college or university ecosystem.
• Knowledge of translational research, IP development, sponsored research, and innovation ecosystems.
• Proven ability to build relationships and networks in complex, multi-faceted environments.
• Existing relationships with NC A&T, WSSU, UNCG, and UNCSA preferred but not required.
• Experience working with startups, researchers, or entrepreneurial support organizations.
• Prior experience as an entrepreneur is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with NC A&T, WSSU, UNCG, UNCSA teams to refine and implement NCI's strategic plan, to include long-range goals, short-term objectives, and related plans and policies.
• Work closely with university faculty and researchers to proactively identify, cultivate, and refine university IP.
• Report directly to the Senior Regional Innovation Network Director – Piedmont to inform and align on regional priorities, strategies and tactics.
• Work closely with and support NCI's internal team, including the VP of Regional Networks and Hubs, Senior Director of Piedmont Regional Innovation Network, Director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives, and Project Manager to ensure interconnectivity and effectiveness across NCI's initiatives and programs.
• Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of strategies, programs, and initiatives while seeking continual programmatic improvements.
• Understand and utilize NCI background research and promotional materials, develop strategies and tactics to articulate NCI's partnership with NC A&T, WSSU, UNCG, and UNCSA in a clear and concise manner to relevant regional stakeholders.
• Work closely with university leadership to be an effective spokesperson and point of contact for all regional and university developments and efforts.
• Keep apprised of research priorities, needs, and opportunities to inform NCI, NC A&T, WSSU, UNCG, and UNCSA strategies and tactics in accelerating the commercialization of research products.
• Liaise with key leaders from across the target region, and support NCI leadership in understanding the perspectives of those constituencies and how best to engage with them in furthering NCI's, NC A&T, WSSU, UNCG, and UNCSA's objectives.

Skills

Relationship building

Stakeholder management

Exceptional communication

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

NCI seeks an experienced professional to lead the development of a Hub, hosted at, and in close partnership with, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University (NC A&T), Winston-Salem State University (WSSU), University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG), and University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA).

Job Summary

Reporting directly to the Senior Innovation Network Director – Piedmont Region, the Regional Innovation Hub Director will be responsible for building the organization’s engagement with research universities, entrepreneurial communities, campus and local support organizations, and regional industry and business partners. In close partnership with NC A&T, WSSU, UNCG, and UNCSA, the Director will be NCI's regionally-located employee charged with developing a network approach to understanding and growing university applied research opportunities, needs, and collaborations; and coordinating partnerships to leverage NCI resources to accelerate the commercialization of university research. The employee will be based out of the Piedmont area, with office space provided by NC A&T. They will be expected to work closely with the university team and the broader innovation ecosystem to maintain a mutually beneficial and effective working relationship with NCI.

Responsibilities

NCI Regional Innovation Hub Director – Piedmont will:

• Collaborate with NCI, NC A&T, WSSU, UNCG, and UNCSA teams to refine and implement NCI's strategic plan, to include long-range goals, short-term objectives, and related plans and policies;
• Work closely with university faculty and researchers to proactively identify, cultivate, and refine university IP
• Report directly to the Senior Regional Innovation Network Director – Piedmont to inform and align on regional priorities, strategies and tactics;
• Work closely with and support NCI's internal team, including the VP of Regional Networks and Hubs, Senior Director of Piedmont Regional Innovation Network, Director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives, and Project Manager to ensure interconnectivity and effectiveness across NCI's initiatives and programs;
• Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of strategies, programs, and initiatives while seeking continual programmatic improvements;
• Understand and utilize NCI background research and promotional materials, develop strategies and tactics to articulate NCI's partnership with NC A&T, WSSU, UNCG, and UNCSA in a clear and concise manner to relevant regional stakeholders;
• Work closely with university leadership to be an effective spokesperson and point of contact for all regional and university developments and efforts;
• Keep apprised of research priorities, needs, and opportunities to inform NCI, NC A&T, WSSU, UNCG, and UNCSA strategies and tactics in accelerating the commercialization of research products;
• Liaise with key leaders from across the target region, and support NCI leadership in understanding the perspectives of those constituencies and how best to engage with them in furthering NCI's, NC A&T, WSSU, UNCG, and UNCSA's objectives.

Requirements

The successful candidate must be well organized, flexible, and enjoy the challenges of working in a dynamic organization; must demonstrate a high level of professionalism and discretion; and have the ability to interact with stakeholders at all levels in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment while remaining proactive, resourceful, and efficient. The Director will be self-motivated and, as NCI's regional representative, demonstrate the highest standards of moral and ethical conduct. This position requires a proven ability to develop and leverage partnerships and relationships; expert written and verbal communication skills; strong decision-making and networking skills; and a proactive attention to detail. Position will require some travel to universities, partners, and stakeholders within the Piedmont region and other regions of North Carolina.

Qualifications

NCI seeks qualified candidates who possess the following minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required, advanced degree preferred;
• Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in the North Carolina college or university ecosystem;
• Understanding of translational research, IP technology development, sponsored research, and innovation ecosystems;
• Demonstrated expertise in building relationships, networks, and support systems in complex, multi-faceted environments.
• Existing relationships and experience with NC A&T, WSSU, UNCG, and UNCSA, and/or current and prospective partners are preferred but not required;
• Experience working with startups, researchers, or entrepreneurial support organizations.
• Prior experience as an entrepreneur is preferred but not required.

NCI offers competitive compensation based on experience, to include a comprehensive benefit package with flexible paid time off; employer-sponsored medical, dental, and vision insurance; disability; and a 401(k) plan.