Translation Program Director

University of North Carolina - Charlotte; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of North Carolina - Charlotte is seeking a Translation Program Director to facilitate engagement with university researchers. This role focuses on identifying commercially viable research and translating scientific findings into actionable problem statements for industry partners.

The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of industry experience in fields such as energy, manufacturing, or defense. Responsibilities include leading technology readiness assessments and building relationships across corporate communities.

Qualifications

• 10+ years industry experience in energy, manufacturing, or defense.
• Experience in Big 4 Management Consulting accepted.
• Strong industry networks and familiarity with federal commercialization programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead engagement to identify commercially viable university research.
• Translate findings into problem statements for corporate partners.
• Conduct technology readiness assessments and prepare validation documentation.
• Build relationships with corporate R&D leaders and facilitate commercialization.

Skills

Technology readiness assessments

Relationship building

Commercialization strategies

Understanding of federal programs

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant fields

Job description

UNC Charlotte is hiring a Translation Program Director to lead proactive engagement with university researchers, identifying commercially promising early-stage research and translating scientific findings into actionable problem statements for industry partners. The role involves coordinating across university units to evaluate technology readiness, cultivate relationships with corporate and investor communities, and facilitate technology translation pipelines toward commercialization and partnership development.

Highlights

• Lead campus-wide engagement to identify research at Technology Readiness Levels 2-3 with commercial potential.
• Translate scientific findings into operational problem statements for corporate partners in energy, manufacturing, autonomous vehicles, aerospace, defense, intelligence, and optics.
• Conduct TRL, Adoption Readiness Level (ARL), and Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) assessments and prepare translation validation documentation.
• Build and sustain relationships with VP/Director-level corporate R&D and engineering leaders, and C-level leadership at SMBs.
• Coordinate across ORTIA units: Translation Intelligence, New Ventures & Industry Alliances, and IP & Technology Transfer.
• Match technologies with Mentors-in-Residence who have relevant entrepreneurial or corporate experience.
• Support federal and state commercialization programs including NSF I-Corps and NSF Tech Scout.
• Maintain accurate documentation of research engagements and participate in pipeline coordination meetings.
• Require a bachelor's degree in relevant fields and a minimum of 10 years industry experience in related domains such as energy, advanced manufacturing, autonomous vehicles, aerospace, defense, or optics. Experience in Big 4 Management Consulting in related fields is accepted.
• Preferred qualifications include advanced degrees, strong industry networks, prior venture capital or investment experience, knowledge of university research environments, and familiarity with federal commercialization programs.