Executive Director, Whitewater University Technology Park and Community Engagement Center - 18829

ATTENTION:

The Department of Innovation Services at the University of Wisconsin- Whitewater is seeking an Executive Director, Whitewater University Technology Park and Director of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Community Engagement Center (Outreach Program Manager III).

This position is a fixed-term academic staff appointment in the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. The Executive Director of the Whitewater University Technology Park reports to the Chancellor/WUTP Board President and is accountable to the Whitewater-University Technology Park Board for translating their vision into action. The Executive Director of the Whitewater-University Technology Park will be expected to coordinate efforts with the University’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The position is eligible for benefits provided to State of Wisconsin employees and is subject to UWW personnel policies. Fixed-term academic staff appointments are made on an annual basis, with renewal contingent upon performance and availability of funding.

JOB DETAILS:

The Executive Director of the Whitewater University Technology Park is expected to perform key duties related to the outreach, regional engagement, and economic development mission of the Chancellor’s Office and assist the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Technology Park Board President, the Whitewater City Manager, and the Whitewater Community Development Authority (CDA) Executive Director with outreach and operational issues.

The Director also provides operational leadership and support to a team of University of Wisconsin-Whitewater faculty/staff that support the Whitewater Incubation Program. The Executive Director also provides operational leadership of the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater Community Engagement Center.

The Executive Director of the Whitewater University Technology Park must have the characteristics of an entrepreneur, including high energy, strong need for achievement, persistence, the ability to learn from mistakes, adaptability, strong work ethic, self-confidence, self-starter, and the ability to operate independently with minimal direction. Additionally, this person should exude qualities of caring and high integrity. Excellent skills in communication, sales, negotiating, decision-making, and networking are also desirable. The Manager must also have the ability to teach, mentor and advise clients, a demonstrated business savvy to assist the incubator through its own start-up and financial self-sufficiency period is important. The Executive Director of the Whitewater-University Technology Park should be qualified to assist emerging companies, with the skills needed to help companies grow and succeed. Demonstrated success in working with diverse populations and experience interacting with diverse populations are also important. The ideal applicant will be a flexible and self-motivated change agent. Candidates with transferrable skills, high motivation, and potential will also be considered.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in organization management and/or business development
• A four-year college degree or relevant private sector experience is also required, preferably in business or science

Desired Qualifications:

• Post-graduate education at the master's level
• Strong writing and speaking skills
• Fundraising experience
• Superb interpersonal skills

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations incuding necessary trainings and drills
• Ability to interact respectfully with people from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds

RESPONSIBILITIES:

20% A. Manage the Whitewater University Technology Park Innovation Center

1. Coordinate proper maintenance of the building and grounds.

2. Implement the policies, procedures, and decisions of the University and Whitewater University Technology Park Board and/or its representatives. Prepare and provide reports to the Board and/or its representatives.

3. Manage operations including all process management for the facility. Translate program/facility needs into business/action plan.

4. Develop and negotiate program objectives and direction with senior leadership and managers in varying business units.

5. Create project plans and execute them.

20% B. Provide operational support/leadership for the Whitewater Incubation Program and faculty/staff program coordinators/mentors

1. Plan activities and programs to enhance the performance of clients/tenants through the utilization of University resources; implement plans as assigned; and coordinate publicity.

2. Identify University technical and business resources helpful to tenants in the Center.

3. Provide direct operational support/leadership to the Whitewater Incubation Program, including faculty/staff program coordinators (Launch Pad, Innovation Hub, etc.) and mentors.

15% C. Market the Innovation Center Facility and Business Incubation Program and Support Whitewater CDA in Marketing Whitewater University Technology Park

1. Plan and implement a marketing strategy to bring clients to the incubator facility, and/or other facilities.

2. Manage the promotional, marketing and advertising activities for the Whitewater-University Innovation Center. Tasks may include conducting market research to develop advertising messaging strategies to managing the Center/Park’s public relations.

3. Participate in the development and implementation of relevant community, university, and/or regional marketing/public relations strategies.

4. Serve as lead for the development of the Innovation Center’s tenant/client recruitment.

5. Support the CDA’s marketing activities to attract new companies to Whitewater and the Technology Park.

20% D. Provide operational leadership for the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Community Engagement Center

1. Manage relationships with tenants/occupants of the Community Engagement Center.

2. Provide leadership to a team of staff that support the needs of the Community Engagement Center.

3. Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to drive community engagement at the center.

15% E. Coordinate Innovation Center Finances

1. Support project stakeholders in augmenting cash flow through grants and gifts. Manage other grant awards and contracts as received.

2. Contribute to the development of the Park’s and Center’s annual operating budget. Manage operations in accord with Board-approved budget. Develop financial reports and communicate to a variety of stakeholders.

5% F. Facilitate Community Engagement

1. Develop internal and external partnerships with individuals (faculty, academic staff, classified staff, and students) or organizations.

5% G. Engage in Professional Development / Apply Knowledge Gained to Performance of Duties

1. Participate in management, business, technology, and/or business incubator training to meet annual professional development objectives.

2. Study training manuals and other documentation to learn advanced office and web tools used by this position, as well as relevant policies and procedures.

3. Collaborate and/or network with other technology incubator directors to identify “best practices” and develop methods for adopting those at the Whitewater-University Innovation Center.



DEPARTMENT INFORMATION:

The Whitewater University Technology Park is a not-for-profit venture including an Innovation Center focused on technology development, business incubation and acceleration. The Whitewater-University Innovation Center provides early stage companies with access to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, community business services, financing sources, management talent, and state-of-the-art research space.

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Community Engagement Center’s Mission, in keeping with the Wisconsin Idea manifests the general principle: that education should influence people’s lives beyond the boundaries of the classroom by promoting and coordinating services, learning opportunities, and innovation for communities that are historically underserved. Synonymous with Wisconsin for more than a century, this “Idea” has become the guiding philosophy of university outreach efforts in Wisconsin and throughout the world.

CAMPUS INFORMATION:

Founded in 1868, UW–Whitewater is one of eleven comprehensive universities in a public higher education system that also includes two doctoral institutions and a statewide Extension. UW-Whitewater’s main campus is located in Whitewater, with a branch campus in Rock County, in the city of Janesville. Together, these campuses form a preeminent academic institution driven by the pursuit of knowledge, powered by a spirit of innovation, and focused on transforming lives. UW-Whitewater’s campuses are located conveniently near Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago, and thus offer the advantage of beautiful small-town environments with easy access to the cultural and commercial opportunities of major metropolitan areas.

The Warhawk family — led by caring faculty and staff — is devoted to student success within a broad range of academic programs offered at the associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral levels. These include both on-campus and online programs, and span the disciplines, from the theoretical to the applied, and encompass study in the arts, business, education, humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, technology, and professional and interdisciplinary programs.

UW-Whitewater has a special mission within the UW System to serve students with disabilities and, as such, embraces the principles of universal design and is one of the most accessible campuses in the nation. The campuses have more than 200 student organizations and UW-Whitewater’s intercollegiate athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division-III level. UW-Whitewater is committed to seeking and sustaining a culturally and ethnically diverse campus environment, building a diverse faculty and staff with expertise and interest in serving students with diverse needs, backgrounds, ethnicities, abilities and other distinct characteristics in respectful, sensitive and understanding ways. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, and actively seeks and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and veterans.



ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is part of the 13-campus University of Wisconsin System ( https://www.wisconsin.edu ).

Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(b) provides that applicants may indicate in writing that their identity should be kept confidential. In response to a public records request, the University will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(a).

Per Regent Policy Document 20-19, University of Wisconsin System Criminal Background Check Policy and UW System Administrative Policy 1275 Recruitment Policies, UW-Whitewater requires criminal background checks as a contingency to employment. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment. All final candidates must be asked, prior to hire, whether they have been found to have engaged in, are currently under investigation for, or left employment during an active investigation in which they were accused of sexual violence or sexual harassment. When obtaining employment reference checks, these same sexual violence or sexual harassment questions must also be asked.

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater requires that all employees be active participants in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills.

For UW-Whitewater Campus safety information and crime statistics/annual Security Report, see http://www.uww.edu/asfr . If you would like a paper copy of the report please contact the UW-Whitewater Police at 262-472-4660.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Well-qualified candidates can expect a salary commensurate with the candidate’s education, related experience, and qualifications.

UW System employees receive an excellent benefit package. To learn more about the UW System’s comprehensive benefit package, review the UW System Employee Benefits Brochure .

CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT:

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources. UW-Whitewater is not an e-verify employer, therefore STEM extensions are not options for work authorization.



TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION:

Applications received by October 20, 2022 are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

If you have questions regarding this recruitment or if you are unable to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact us at (262) 472-1072 or hrstudent@uww.edu .

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Paul Ambrose

262-472-1343

ambrosep@uww.edu



TO APPLY:

Only complete application packages will be considered. This includes online submission of the following documents:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Name and contact information for three professional references

This Job ID is 18829.



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