Hub Director – NC A&T

NCInnovation Inc.; Winston-Salem, Northern (NC, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Comprehensive benefits

401(k) plan

Flexible paid time off

Job summary

NCInnovation Inc. seeks an experienced leader to drive the development of a regional Innovation Hub in the Piedmont area, in collaboration with NC A&T, WSSU, UNCG, and UNCSA.

This role requires building partnerships, coordinating programs, and accelerating university research commercialization. The Regional Innovation Hub Director will engage with universities, entrepreneurial networks, and regional industry to implement strategic plans and expand NC’s innovation ecosystem.

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 environments.
• Existing relationships with NC A&T, WSSU, UNCG, UNCSA or similar partners is preferred but not required.
• Experience working with startups, researchers, or entrepreneurial support organizations.

Responsibilities

• Refine and implement NCI’s regional strategic plan for the Piedmont region.
• Collaborate with university partners to identify and cultivate university IP and opportunities.
• Report to Senior Regional Innovation Network Director – Piedmont to align regional priorities.
• Coordinate with NCI teams to ensure cross-functional integration of initiatives.
• Evaluate strategy effectiveness and pursue programmatic improvements.
• Articulate NC A&T, WSSU, UNCG, and UNCSA partnerships to regional stakeholders.
• Serve as a spokesperson with university leadership on regional developments.
• Stay informed on regional research priorities to inform strategy and actions.
• Engage leaders across the Piedmont region to support NCI objectives.

Skills

Relationship building

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Networking

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.

NCInnovation, Inc. (NCI) is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Research Triangle Park, NC. NCI was created to acceleratethe commercialization, capital formation needs, and scale of innovative research from North Carolina universities. Backed by more than $25M in corporate contributions from companies including Bank of America, Duke Energy, Truist,Wells Fargo, and SAS, and through an endowment established by the NC General Assembly, NCI is building the partnerships, organizational, and grant management capabilities to deploy state resources into infrastructure, applied research funding, and capital investments to position North Carolina as first-in-the-country in innovation.

NCInnovation is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion and strives to recruit a diverse slate of candidates to help us achieve that goal.